Erin Cochran/Winonan

The Winona State University men’s basketball team has continued to impress this season, bringing in the new year as strong as ever, and it only appears to be going up from there.

In the first game of 2013, the Warriors faced Southwest Minnesota State. Taylor Cameron and Clayton Vette combined to score a whopping 53 points. The team went into overtime and proved they can fight right up until the final buzzer. The final score was 91-83.

In the following game against Sioux Falls, the Warriors also went into overtime but in the end won 76-71.

Kellen Taylor was able to make all the later 3-pointers and three free throws to solidify the victory.

On the road, Winona State continued winning, this time against the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND.

This was the sixth time this season that Vette reached 20 points in the 64-47 victory.

The Warrior defense also did their jobs while only allowing nine turnovers and forcing 14 against Mary.

The Warriors’ appearance in Minot, ND was one for the books as it marked the return of senior, Grant Johnson. He debuted by hitting eight of his 14 field goals. He also added two assists and five rebounds. Last time Johnson had action on the court was Jan. 21, 2012.

The Warriors continued their streak and finished 84-55 vs. the Beavers.

In Fayette, Iowa, Winona State beat the Upper Iowa Peacocks, 68-53.

Johnson added 15 points, seven from the free throw line. Xavier Humphrey scored 11 and tied his career high of six rebounds and Caleb Palkert added 12.

The team shot 43 percent from the field and only gave up eight turnovers in the contest.

At this point in the season, Vette is nearly averaging a double-double, 8.6 rebounds and 18.8 points per game.

Humphrey is averaging 11.2 and Johnson is continuing to impress from his January 15 debut in only two games.

The Warrior defense is as strong as ever and has limited 13 of the seasons first 17 opponents to 67 points or less.

The field goal percentage is the highest in the NSIC with .388. The team has allowed 70 points just four times and held nine opponents to 60 points or less.

Winona State is just right outside the top 25 in the nation. In the past seven years of action, the Warriors have been ranked six times in the top ten. This is the eighth consecutive year the team has been ranked at some point during the year.

This past Friday Cameron drove in for a layup with only 29 seconds remaining and Jordan Fischer hit two free throws with just 13 seconds remaining to erase a double-digit behind score to win 70-67 win against the Bemidji State Beavers.

Vette scored 30 points and successfully sunk 11-of-16 shots from the field and added ten rebounds making that his seventh double-double of the season.

This is the second time this season that he reached 30 points, just one point shy off his career high.

Cameron added nine points with eight rebounds while Humphrey scored ten. Grant Johnson also assisted the team by adding nine points.

On Saturday’s game against Minnesota, Crookston the Warriors continued their winning streak to ten straight.

Vette led the team with 21 points. He went 7-of-9 on shooting and was one of three Warriors that reached double figures that game.

Cameron scored tem points, went 4-of-5 on the day and hit both of his 3-point attempts. Humphrey hit two 3-pointers and added ten while Johnson added five rebounds and nine points.

This victory puts the Warriors to 16-3 overall this season and 10-2 in NSIC play.

The Warriors will return to play this weekend when it travels to Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State.

Contact Erin at [email protected].