PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Winona State men’s basketball team faced a tough challenge against the #2 ranked Washburn Ichabods, losing 88-57 in the Central Regional Challenge.
The Warriors started strong but soon struggled. They trailed 17-11 after six minutes. Shooting only 1-for-8 from three-point range and committing 10 turnovers hampered their momentum. Washburn capitalized, scoring 29 points off turnovers and shooting 42.1% from beyond the arc. While the teams exchanged leads a few times, the Ichabods maintained control for nearly the entire first half, ending it ahead by 15 points, 41-26.
In the second half, the situation worsened for Winona State. They were outscored 47-31, with the Ichabods’ lead growing to as much as 28 points. The Warriors shot just 34.62% from the field in this half. A silver lining was their free throw performance—they made all 16 attempts.
Key Stats
- Winona State shot 38.0% (19-of-50) from the field, while Washburn shot 52.3% (34-of-65).
- The rebounding battle was close, with Washburn edging out Winona State 32-31.
- From three-point range, the Warriors struggled at 17.8% (3-of-17) compared to Washburn’s 34.4% (11-of-32).
- Guards Gavyn Hurley (19 points) and Aiden Bardic (8 points) were notable scorers for the Warriors. Hurley also led in rebounds with six.
Basketball expert Mike Green, a former coach and analyst, notes, “Turnovers can shift the momentum of a game. In a matchup with a top-ranked team, every mistake is magnified.” His insight reinforces the idea that efficiency is crucial.
The Warriors will take the court again against Concordia-St. Paul on Wednesday at 6:00 PM, aiming to bounce back from this setback.
For more insights on basketball statistics and performance trends, check out the NCAA’s official site.
