WINONA, Minn. – In their first time hosting the NSIC Women's Basketball Tournament First Round in six years, Winona State rolled to a convincing 70-46 victory in front of a raucous Warrior crowd.
Winona State advances in the 2026 NSIC Tournament and will match up in the quarterfinals with Minnesota Duluth on Sunday, March 1st at 1:30pm in Sioux Falls, SD at the Sanford Pentagon. This is the first time since 2020 WSU has been victorious in the NSIC Tournament and is the first postseason win for head coach
Ana Wurtz.
How it Happened:
Both teams settled into the game trading baskets through the game's first five minutes as the Warriors held a slight 11-10 advantage just over five minutes into the game. Winona State then went on a 14-4 run, sparked by 11 points from
Bria Stenstrom which was capped off on a three ball at the buzzer to give WSU a 25-14 lead after one.
Winona State fed off the packed and energetic student section to extend their lead to 16 points halfway through the second after
Sadie Jarmolowicz had a tear drop fall in from inside the paint. The Warriors extended their lead to as many as 17, but a jumper from Minot State with less than 10 seconds to go sent the teams to the locker room with a score of 37-22 in favor of the home team.
Long and methodical possessions by the Warrior offense limited Minot State from getting within single digits during the third quarter. A Jarmolowicz three with 1:25 left in the third game WSU a 49-36 lead with just 10 minutes to play.
Stellar defense and a lights out effort from the charity stripe secured the victory for the Warriors in the final quarter. Winona State held the Beavers to just 10 points and 0-6 shooting from deep while WSU knocked in 10-of-11 free throws to secure the dominating 70-46 win.
Statistical Comparison:
- Winona State held Minot State to just 4.3% (1-23) shooting from beyond the arc and a 43.1% clip from the field. WSU went 10-27 (37.0%) from deep and 39.3% overall.
- Jarmolowicz led the Warriors with 18 points and nine boards while sinking four threes and going 4-4 from the line.
- Hailey Markworth tallied 17 points and six assists in 38 minutes of action. Markworth notched her 1,000th career point in the victory, becoming just the 22nd Warrior to do so.
- Stenstrom sparked the WSU run in the first, scoring all 11 of her points in a 3:33 span.
- The Warriors notched 20 bench points compared to Minot State's five.
- WSU outrebounded the Beavers 38-27 an forced 14 turnovers compared to committing just nine.
Winona State will advance to the NSIC Tournament Quarterfinals on Sunday, March 1st in Sioux Falls, SD at the Sanford Pentagon. The Warriors will tipoff at 1:30pm against third-seeded Minnesota Duluth.
