HONOLULU, Hawaii – Winona State rallied from a six-point deficit in the final two minutes of regulation but came up short in overtime, falling 73-72 to Lake Erie in its season opener at the Hoops in Hawaii Classic.
Luke Haertle led the Warriors with a double-double, recording 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Alessandro Tonelli also reached double figures with 10 points.
Lake Erie jumped out to an early advantage before Tonelli scored five consecutive points to give WSU a 7-6 lead with 15:03 remaining in the first half. The teams traded baskets over the next five minutes before
Tyler Mason drained a 3-pointer to give the Warriors a five-point advantage. Winona State continued its momentum, building its largest lead of the half at eight points with 7:41 remaining.
The Storm responded following the media timeout, scoring six consecutive points to pull within three. Mason halted the run with a pull-up jumper, and Tonelli followed with a 3-pointer to put the Warriors back up by eight. Lake Erie answered with back-to-back 3-pointers to cut into the deficit. The teams traded baskets down the stretch, with Winona State carrying a 30-28 lead into halftime.
Tyson Keil opened the second half with a 3-pointer to extend the Warriors' advantage to five, but the Storm answered with five consecutive points to tie the contest. Winona State regained the advantage at 41-40 on a Haertle free throw before Lake Erie built a five-point lead at 49-44 with 11:37 remaining. The Warriors rallied to pull within one, but the Storm responded with a run of its own to push the advantage back to six.
Lake Erie held a 59-54 lead with just over five minutes remaining. The teams continued to trade baskets, with the Storm holding a 64-58 advantage with 2:49 left. The Warriors then held Lake Erie scoreless over the final two minutes of regulation.
Joevonn McCottry tied the game with 49 seconds remaining, sending the season opener to overtime.
Ryan Heise opened overtime with a 3-pointer, and Haertle followed with a layup to give WSU a five-point lead with 3:43 remaining. Lake Erie continued to battle, pulling within one with 2:05 left. The Storm tied the game at the free-throw line with 56 seconds remaining before converting the game-winning free throw with five seconds left to secure the 73-72 victory.
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE
- Winona State opened the season with a 73-72 overtime loss in the first round of the Hoops in Hawaii Classic.
- Luke Haertle led the Warriors with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
- Alessandro Tonelli also reached double figures with 10 points.
- WSU shot 31.8% from the field (21 of 66).
- The Warriors attempted 43 free throws, making 25 (58.1%).
- Friday's game featured 10 lead changes and seven ties.
- WSU outrebounded Lake Erie 56-46.
- Lake Erie forced 22 turnovers, while Winona State committed 17.
NEWS & NOTES
- Winona State fell to 0-1 with the loss.
- Lake Erie improved to 1-0.
- The Storm lead the all-time series 1-0.
- Haertle recorded his eighth career double-double as a Warrior.
- Winona State opened its season with an overtime game for the first time since the 2017-18 season, when it faced Missouri Western State.
- The loss marked WSU's first season-opening defeat since the 2020-21 season, when the Warriors fell at Minnesota Duluth.
UP NEXT
Winona State will face the loser of the Tampa-Chaminade matchup in its next contest on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. HST (8 p.m. CST).
Stay connected with Winona State University Athletics all season long by following the Warriors on social media at @WinonaStateATH (X/Instagram), @winonastatewarriors (YouTube) and Winona State Warrior Athletics (Facebook). Catch full schedules, scores and stories at winonastatewarriors.com.
