LAKELAND, Fla. — Winona State’s men’s basketball team faced #18 Florida Southern and lost 88-77 in a challenging non-conference game.
The Warriors started strong, building a 30-15 lead after an impressive run. But Florida Southern fought back, tying the game at 44-44 by halftime. In the second half, Florida Southern pulled away to secure the win.
The game kicked off with Florida Southern scoring first. Winona State quickly responded with a 10-0 run, thanks to three-pointers from Aidan Bardic and Alessandro Tonelli. Ryan Heise also contributed with a couple of key shots. The Warriors then extended their lead to 16-9, only to have Florida Southern narrow the gap. A powerful 14-3 run put Winona State ahead 30-15. But Florida Southern bounced back and tied the game before halftime.
In the second half, Bardic scored a four-point play early on, giving the Warriors a brief 48-46 lead. However, Florida Southern regained control, leading 59-53. Heise kept the Warriors close with a run of his own, making it 59-58. Despite Winona State’s efforts, Florida Southern eventually built a large lead and closed out the game 88-77.
Looking at the stats, both teams shot well from the field. Winona State went 29-of-56 (51.8%), slightly edging Florida Southern, which shot 32-of-62 (51.6%). The Warriors also had an advantage on the boards, grabbing 32 rebounds compared to Florida Southern’s 28.
Mason was the standout for Winona State, scoring a season-high 21 points. Bardic and Heise contributed 14 points each, with Bardic also grabbing nine rebounds. Tonelli added 13 points, shooting well from beyond the arc.
Florida Southern was led by Corso, who scored 22 points, while Amare Miller had an impressive 17 points on just eight shots.
This game highlights how competitive college basketball can be, as even ranked teams can struggle against determined opponents. As the season progresses, players like Mason, Bardic, and Heise will be crucial for Winona State if they want to bounce back.
Their next game is against Saint Leo on Saturday, November 29, at 5:00 PM (EST). As fans keep an eye on these players, it’ll be interesting to see how they adapt and improve in future matchups.
For more on college basketball trends and stats, check the NCAA website.
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