WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State men's basketball team lost in a close battle against the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles in McCown Gymnasium.
WSU and UMC held a close contest with the Golden Eagles eventually coming out on top 67-62.
How it Happened:
Minnesota Crookston jumped out to an early lead, scoring the game's first eight points before
Tyler Mason put Winona State on the board with a jumper at the 17:16 mark. The Golden Eagles continued to control the opening minutes, pushing the advantage to 12–4 before
Alessandro Tonelli knocked down a three-pointer at 14:55 to cut the deficit to five. Minnesota Crookston responded with timely baskets to maintain separation, building the lead to 26–13 following a fastbreak dunk by Alijah Washington at 9:24. Winona State chipped away late in the half, highlighted by a Mason three-pointer at 4:33 and a layup from
Gavyn Hurley in the final 30 seconds, but a late three-pointer by Brady Westphal sent the Golden Eagles into halftime with a 37–29 lead.
The Warriors opened the second half with a jumper from
Ryan Heise at 19:18, but Minnesota Crookston answered to extend the lead to 46–31 by the 13:50 mark. Winona State responded with a run midway through the half, sparked by a fastbreak layup from Hurley at 11:40 and a Mason three-pointer at 11:00 to trim the margin to 46–36. The Warriors continued to battle, pulling within five points at 49–44 on a layup by Tonelli at 7:52. After another push, Winona State cut the deficit to three on a layup by Heise at 3:43, but a three-pointer from Washington at 3:28 halted the rally. The Warriors made one final surge in the closing seconds, including a Mason three-pointer at 0:29, but Minnesota Crookston sealed the game at the free-throw line to secure the 67–62 victory.
Statistical Comparison:
- The Warriors shot 22-of-65 (33.8%) from the field while the Golden Eagles went 23-of-50 (46.0%)
- UMC edged the Warriors on the glass 40-35.
- Winona State shot four-of-21 (19.0%) from deep with Minnesota Crookston going eight-of-18 (44.4%) from three-point land.
- From the free throw line, WSU went 14-of-17 (82.4%) while the Golden Eagles shot 13-of-18 (72.2%) from the charity stripe.
- Mason led WSU in scoring 21 points on an efficient three-of-six from the three-point land.
- Hurley added a strong 14 points on six-of-13 shooting and two-of-three from the charity stripe. Tonelli added a team high five rebounds with Bardic leading the charge dishing out four assists.
- Other Warriors with solid points were Heise (10), Tonelli (9), and Bardic (4)
- Mukoma Jr notched a team-high 23 points from Golden Eagles with Washington adding 15 of his own.
Winona State will face off next against MSU Moorhead on Saturday, January 10th at 3:30pm at McCown Gymnasium.
