Alexandria Carter/Winonan
Winona State University women’s basketball team continued their winning overall record of 12-3 heading into Friday’s game against the University of Mary. The Warriors protected their undefeated home record with a 70-65 victory over the Marauders.
Center Kayla Timmerman helped lead the Warriors to their win with 12 rebounds, 16 points and a career-high three steals on the defensive end.
“I want to become more of a threat on the offensive end, just play stronger and believe in myself a little more. Defensively I want to keep stopping my person and blocking shots without getting fouls,” Timmerman said.
Alexis Foley led the Warriors in scoring, finishing with a game-high 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting along with six rebounds and a pair of assists. Connor Nagle contributed 14 points with four assists and two steals.
A slow start for the Warriors resulted in a 12-2 deficit after missing their first eight shots while the University of Mary went 6-of-8.
With ten minutes remaining in the first half, Timmerman racked up a total of ten points and from contributions from Connor Nagle and Alexis Foley the Warriors were able to cut the deficit 22-21 with under eight minutes left.
With five minutes remaining Winona State tied the contest 24-24 and continued to push and claim the lead. By the blow of the halftime whistle, the Warriors lead 31-28.
The Marauders reclaimed the lead in the beginning of the second half to have it taken again by the Warriors. Winona State maintained a 40-38 lead at the first media break of the second half.
The Warriors pushed their advantage 56-50 and maintained the lead for the rest of the game. The Marauders came within one point with under two minutes left in the second half, but an offensive rebound from Hannah McGlone, a steal by Kali Hackmann and a pair of free throws from Nagle secured Winona State’s ultimate win 70-65.
The Warriors concluded the pair of weekend home games with another win 52-47 over the Beavers on Saturday.
The Warriors were slow to start once again as Minot State increased its advantage to seven points at one time within the first half. Nagle tied the game at 21-21 with one minute left to play and Caitie Zepczyk’s layup right before halftime gave the Warriors their first lead of the game at 23-21.
The Warriors opened the second half with 28-21 lead after a 5-0 run. Beaver Diondra Denton’s score helped tie the game once again at 34 points and Beaver Savana Kingsbury’s three pointer gave Minot State the lead with 6:03 left in the game.
With a minute and a half left to play Foley and Timmerman’s baskets gave the Warriors the lead. Free throws from Connor Nagle and Tara Roelofs pushed Winona State’s lead 51-45 and the Warriors came out on top 52-47.
Foley scored 17 points for the night while Timmerman and Connor Nagle each scored 11 points. Timmerman also racked up 10 rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
Winona State shot 16 for 19 from the line, including 11 for 12 in the second half while Minot State struggled to just 4 of 10. The Beavers hit just 3 of 8 from the line after halftime.
With the Winona State victory and a Minnesota State loss to Minnesota Crookston, the Warriors now sit in a three-way tie atop the NSIC South Division.
“We want to finish in the top four to have the advantage of playing at home during the playoffs,” head coach Scott Ballard said. “We put ourselves in a situation to do that. We have control of our own destiny, but we have a tough road ahead.”
Winona State hits the road to take on Augustana at 6 p.m. Friday before taking on Wayne State at 4 p.m. Saturday.
