SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Winona State women's basketball ended their season in the 2026 NSIC Tournament Quarterfinals, falling to Minnesota Duluth 63-45.
After trailing the whole first half, the Warriors battled back to tie it up midway through the third but UMD was too much down the stretch as WSU's season came to a close at the Sanford Pentagon.
How it Happened:
UMD scored the first two buckets of the game before Winona State's
Vivica Bretton connected on a turnaround jumper to break the ice for WSU. Both defenses dominated the first five minutes as the two teams made just four field goals combined heading into first media timeout. After trailing 13-6, Bretton converted an and-one to cut the deficit to four at the end of the first.
Minnesota Duluth went on a quick 7-2 run to begin the second quarter and force an
Ana Wurtz timeout. Out of the timeout,
Sadie Jarmolowicz connected on WSU's first three-pointer of the game. Back-to-back threes by Jarmolowicz and
Rylie Cother cut it to a one possession game and gave the Warriors a breath of life. A
Hailey Markworth layup made it a one-point game before UMD scored the half's final field goal to give the Bulldogs a 27-24 lead at the break.
Jarmolowicz sank her third 3-pointer of the game early in the third quarter, then Bretton battled through traffic for a layup to tie the game for the first time since the beginning of the game. The Warriors and Bulldogs traded buckets until UMD went on a small run to lead by five heading into the final frame.
UMD opened the fourth quarter on a 9-0 run to take a 48-34 lead. The Warriors tried to battle back, but the Bulldogs were able to make eight of their first ten field goals in the quarter to have every answer. Winona State was unable to overcome the fourth-quarter deficit and saw their season come to a close after a 63-45 defeat.
Statistical Comparison:
- The Warriors went 5-13 from deep while UMD made 10 threes on 27 attempts.
- WSU committed 16 turnovers while forcing 12 on defense.
- Markworth led the Warriors in her final game of her career, dropping 12 points on 5-17 shooting.
- Jarmolowicz tallied 11 points while Bretton added nine.
- Claire Bjorge led UMD with 11 points on 5-9 shooting.
- The two teams each had 33 rebounds while Minnesota Duluth dished out 15 assists compared to Winona State's five.
The Warriors end their season with a 17-13 record and their first trip to the NSIC Tournament Quarterfinals since 2020.
