Sam Thiel/Winonan

The Winona State University women’s basketball team used its stifling defense to hold Anderson University to only 30 percent shooting as the Warriors earned a 61-46 victory in its first game in the North Star Invitational Thursday in Fairbanks, Alaska. Senior Katie Wolff led all scorers with 19 points.

Wolff knocked down five shots from deep, one of three Warrior players to score in double-figures. Michelle Tobin had her second double-double of the season, posting 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Becca Friestleben chipped in 15 points and five rebounds in the winning effort.

The Warriors used a 12-2 run in the first half, increasing their lead from 14-13 at the 12-minute mark to 26-15 advantage five minutes later. Friestleben scored eight of those 12 during the run—including back-to-back 3-pointers –to give Winona State a double-digit lead.

Winona State went into halftime with a 38-28 lead and didn’t allow the Trojans to get closer than eight the rest of the game. After Anderson got to within eight with 13:37 left to play in the game, the Warriors went on an 11-2 run to build its lead to 53-36.

Wolff and Friestleben dialed in all eight of WSU’s 3-point attempts throughout the game, with Wolff hitting five and Friestleben knocking down three. Abby Busch contributed nine points and seven rebounds for the Warriors.

Defensively, Winona State limited Anderson to just 30 percent shooting, going 18-of-60 from the field. Anderson University also only shot 23.8 percent (5-of-21) from beyond the arc.

With the win, the Warriors improved to 3-1 on the season.

The Warriors used their defense again on its way to a 70-40 rout over Upper Iowa University Friday at the North Star Invitational in Fairbanks, Alaska.

The Warriors allowed only 26 percent shooting (11-of-42) from the Peacocks on the game. Upper Iowa only made five first half field goals, shooting 22.7 percent. Winona State hit 27-of-55 from the field (49.1%) including 41 percent (7-of-17) from beyond the 3-point line in the victory.

Michelle Tobin shot well in the game for the Warriors, hitting 8-of-9 shots from the field on her way to a game-high 18 points. She also collected nine rebounds and dished out five assists. Becca Friestleben chipped in 16 points and five rebounds for WSU.

Winona State ended the game with assists on 20 of its 27 made field goals, with Tobin and Kelsey Andrist each handing out five. The Warrior defense also forced 21 Upper Iowa turnovers in the game.

Throughout most of the first half the game was close, but the Warriors went on a 17-3 run during the final eight minutes of the first half to take a 33-16 lead at the half.

The Warriors quickly answered every Peacock bucket in the second half, with the squad never allowing momentum from Upper Iowa. After a 9-0 run halfway through the second period gave the Warriors a 28-point lead, 57-29, the game was out of reach for the Peacocks. Winona State would build its advantage to as many as 31 late in the game.

Winona State has kept its last four opponents to less than 55 points, with three of the four opponents failing to reach the 50-point mark versus the Warrior defense.

Becca Friestleben and Katie Wolff scored 17 points each to lead all scorers as the Winona State University women’s basketball team won the North Star Invitational title by posting a 67-50 win over Alaska-Fairbanks Saturday.

Friestleben used the deep ball five times on her way to 17 points, her third game this year with at least five 3-pointers made.

Wolff used four 3-pointers to reach her 17 points, while snatching six rebounds and dishing out six assists.

The Warriors took a big advantage early, using a 23-7 run throughout most of the first half to take a 38-17 lead at halftime.

WSU jumped out of the starting blocks with a 16-4 run to put the Warriors up 33 with under 16 minutes to play.

Michelle Tobin poured in ten points and added eight rebounds for the Warriors, with Kelsey Andrist adding ten points.

Abby Busch chipped in nine points and collected seven rebounds for Winona State.

The Warrior defense was phenomenal once again, forcing 21 turnovers while limiting Alaska-Fairbanks to just 34.5 percent shooting from the floor. The Warriors also only allowed three made 3-pointers on the game.

“Our ball pressure and help defense from the weak side has been very good and our team showed a lot of toughness and communicated well with each other as a unit,” coach Dave Simon said. “Our team played very good basketball for most of the tournament and we were able to stay out of foul trouble and continue with a balanced attack on offense.”

Winona State is now 5-1 overall on the season. They will complete their non-conference schedule with a game against Clarke Nov. 28 in McCown Gymnasium. Tip-off is 7 p.m.

Contact Sam at [email protected]