Erin Cochran/Winonan
The Winona State University men’s basketball team defeated the Minnesota State Mavericks in the NCAA Central Region Tournament in Mankato in front of 4, 137 fans on March 19 in Mankato, Minn. The win advanced the Warriors to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in Louisville, Kentucky.
Xavier Humphrey solidified the tie, sending the game into overtime as he drove the lane with 26 seconds remaining in regulation. He was fouled; his free throw tied it up at 64.
Grant Johnson’s winning shot brought the Warriors to a one-point advantage, 74-73. Humphrey nailed two free throws, which sent the Warriors onto the Elite Eight. This is the Warriors’ fourth trip to the Elite Eight in school history.
This trip didn’t come without a fight. The Mavericks and Warriors changed leads 20 times during the game with the largest advantage of only six points.
Kellen Taylor and Johnson each added 11 points while Taylor Cameron added 15, along with eight rebounds.
Humphrey became the 34th player in Winona State school history to reach 1,000-point mark. After adding 13 points, he now has a career total of 1,011 points.
Clayton Vette led in Winona State scorers with 22 points. He went 9-of-16 from the floor, grabbed six rebounds as well as the Most Outstanding Player title. Five other players reached double figures.
Vette is used to receiving top honors throughout his career and the 2012-2013 season is no different. In a poll voted on by the nation’s sports information directors, he was named to Daktronics Men’s Basketball All-American first team. This is the second consecutive season he was named an All-American. Vette was also named the NABC Division II National Player of The Year, an honor voted on by the nation’s head men’s basketball coaches.
“There isn’t a player that deserves this more than Clayton,” said head coach Mike Leaf. “All the time and effort he’s put into improving himself have made him the top player in the country.”
Throughout the season, Vette scored well into double digits 19 times. He shot 52 percent from the floor and averaged 20.7 points and 7.9 rebounds per games.
Vette joins John Smith and Jonte Flowers (2006-07 and 2007-08) as the third player in Winona State history to earn All-American honors in back-to-back seasons.
Along with the Daktronics honor, Vette was also named NABC All-District first team, an award voted on by the district’s head coaches.
In the 2012-13 season alone, Vette’s honors and awards include: All-American (Daktronics first team), Central Region Player of the Year (Daktronics), All-Region (Daktronics first team), All-District (NABC first team), NSIC Player of the Year, All-Conference (first team) and NCAA Central Region Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
“It’s been an honor working with Clayton and I am very proud of him,” Leaf said.
In Louisville, Ky., the Warriors lit up the court but were unfortunately cut short by the No. 1 West Liberty Hilltoppers who defeated the team, 110-84.
In the first half, the Warriors looked like they were in a groove and able to keep up with the speed used by the top-ranked Hilltoppers.
Cameron went five-of-six from the floor but was only able to play the first two minutes of the game due to falling into fouls.
He was able to return in the final twenty minutes of the game and hit all seven shots he had at the free throw line.
Vette added 14, bringing his total to 697 on the season—the second-most in a single campaign in Winona State history.
David Zallmann scored 694 in the 2005-06 season, while Smith had 684 in the 2007-08 season. Vette is number two to Carter Glad, who in the 1988-89 season was able to put up 732 points. He is the all-time lead Winona State single-season scorer.
Humphrey and Culver each hit two three-point baskets while Taylor added ten points overall and Johnson had 13.
The Warriors were able to come within six early in the second half but West Liberty responded with an 11-0 run and increasing their lead to as many ad 31 points late into the game. The loss 110-84 was the most given up by a Winona State team in the NCAA Tournament.
Winona State finished the season with 27-8 record. This is the fourth-most wins in a year in program history and they are 4-0 in NCAA Region Championship games.
“It was truly an honor to play here at Winona State,” said Culver. “I wouldn’t trade my decision to come here for anything. Thank you all who supported this team throughout the years, especially this season.”
“This season was incredible,” said Johnson. “You can’t get a better feeling than making the Elite Eight and playing the top ranked team. This season was great and it’s always a pleasure playing with these guys.”
To keep up to date on the next year’s season and to recap all the exciting highlights of the 2012-13’ season, go to www.winonastatewarriors.com.
Contact Erin at [email protected].
