Winona State started slow, but turned it on and made big baskets when it counted as it defeated Minot State 63-57 on Wednesday at McCown Gymnasium to advance in the NSIC Women’s Basketball Tournament.
After shooting just 34.6 percent from the field in the first half, the Warriors bounced back to make 78 percent in the fourth quarter.
“I’m proud of how resilient we were,” WSU coach Scott Ballard said. “We bent but we didn’t break. After we had the timeout and fell behind, I don’t think we had any turnovers in the first six or seven minutes, (Kayla) Schaefer made some big-time shots and we needed every one of them.”
Schaefer was huge in the final period, scoring 10 of the Warriors 22 fourth-quarter points including a pair of giant 3s, including a dagger with just under a minute to go. With the Warriors up by 3 with 56 seconds remaining, she caught a pass in the right corner and put the Warriors up by six.
Her other 3 put an end to a back-and-forth rally that saw the lead change hands eight times from the 8:36 mark to the 4:42 mark of the fourth. Schaefer made two jumpers during that stretch, then finally ended it with a 3 off an assist from Allie Pickrain.
“I knew it was a close game and being a senior, you’ve got to leave it all out there,” said Schaefer, who finished with 16 points. “If we wouldn’t have won, we were going home, so I knew that coming in. It was getting to be a grind and down to the wire, so I just took over and tried to help the team. We needed a score.”
In the regular season matchup between the Warriors and Beavers, WSU made 15 3s — third most in a single game in program history. But it was much slower going for much of the game as the Warriors made just 4-of-17 shots from beyond the arc.
Points were hard to come by for both sides in the first half as the Warriors entered the break, leading 20-16. WSU made just 9-of-26 field goals in the first half, while Minot State made 7-of-25.
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“We knew it was going to be be tougher than the first time,” Schaefer said. “They knew more about us after playing them the first time and in the playoffs it’s always a battle — anything can happen.”
But the game kicked into gear in the third as both sides more than doubled their scores before the close of the period with Winona State scored 21 and MSU scored 20.
“They were sagging off Taylor so we knew we needed to be on opposite sides of the floor and just looking to post up more,” Schaefer said. “I wasn’t trying to change things up, but I was more aggressive looking for my shot.”
Second-chance points killed the Warriors all game and kept the Beavers in it. MSU scored 13 second-chance points while grabbing 16 offensive rebounds. They out-rebounded WSU 37-26. Whitney Molina led the way with eight boards, while Calli Delsman had seven. Taylor Hustad led WSU with six rebounds.
“(Molina) and (Delsman) are big rebounders for that team and (Delsman) kept getting rebounds which was frustrating,” said Hustad, who scored 14 points for the Warriors. “But that’s her game — getting o-boards and putbacks. So it was really tough. They push you through and jump pretty high.”
The Warriors advance to play MSU Moorhead in the conference quarterfinals at noon on Saturday at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Dragons defeated WSU 64-51 in a regular season matchup back on Jan. 4 in Winona.
WSU WBB Tournament Round 1 Vs Minot
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 1

Winona State's Taylor Hustad (12) goes up for a layup against Minot during Wednesday's 1st round tournament game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 2

Winona State's Gabie Doud (1) drives the baseline against Minot during Wednesday's 1st round tournament game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 3

Winona State's Jenna Bruss (4) dribbles up the court against Minot during Wednesday's 1st round tournament game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 4

Winona State's Julia Silloway (5) shoots a wide open jump shot against Minot during Wednesday's 1st round tournament game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 5

Winona State's Emily Kieck (11) drives the lane for a layup attempt against Minot's Madison Wald (3) during Wednesday's 1st round tournament game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 6

Winona State's Emma Fee (43) saves the ball from going out of bounds during Wednesday's 1st round tournament game against Minot held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 7

Winona State's Allie Pickrain studies the defense during Wednesday's 1st round tournament game against Minot held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 8

Winona State's Taylor Hustad (12) goes up for a layup against Minot during Wednesday's 1st round tournament game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 9

Winona State's bench celebrates a big basket that led to a victory for the Winona State Women's Basketball team against Minot in the 1st round of tournament action held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 10

Winona State's Taylor Hustad (12) battles Minot's Whitney Molina (14) for rebounding position during Wednesday's 1st round tournament game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 11

Winona State's Rachel Novotny gets the ball under the rim against Minot during Wednesday's 1st round tournament game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 12

Winona State's Jenna Bruss (4) dribble drives toward the basket against Minot during Wednesday's 1st round tournament game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 13

Winona State's Rachel Novotny (10) blocks a shot by Minot's Mariah Payne (4) during Wednesday's 1st round tournament game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 14

Winona State's Kayla Schaefer (25) prepares to go up for a shot against Minot's Calli Delsman (10) during the opening round tournament game that took place Wednesday evening at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 15

Winona State Women's Basketball team celebrates during their opening round tournment game Wednesday night at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 16

Winona State's Kayla Schaefer (25) prepares to shoot a free throw during the opening round tournament game that took place Wednesday evening at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 17

Winona State Women's Basketball team returns to the court after a timeout during the opening round tournament game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 18

Winona State's Assistant Head Women's Basketball Coach Ana Wurtz gives instructions to the Warrior players during Wednesday's opening round tournament game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Minot Tournament 19

Winona State's Kayla Schaefer (25) saves the ball from going out of bounds during the opening round tournament game against Minot that took place Wednesday evening at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB Senior Day Vs MSU
WSU WBB vs MSU 1

Winona State University's Emily Kieck (11) dribbles the ball up the court during Saturday's game against Minnesota State-Mankato at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MSU 2

Winona State Women's Basketball Coach Ballard and team come up with a game plan during Saturday's game against Minnesota State-Mankato.
WSU WBB vs MSU 3

Winona State University's Allie Pickrain (2) shoots a free throw during Saturday's game against Minnesota State-Mankato at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MSU 4

Winona State University's Rachel Novotny (10) shoots a jump shot during Saturday's game against Minnesota State-Mankato at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MSU 5

Winona State University's Emily Kieck (11) drives the baseline during Saturday's game against Minnesota State-Mankato at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MSU 6

Winona State University's Allie Pickrain (2) looks for a teammate to pass to during Saturday's game against Minnesota State-Mankato at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MSU 7

Winona State University's Rachel Novotny (10) gets into rebounding position during Saturday's game against Minnesota State-Mankato at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MSU 8

Winona State University's Julia Silloway (5) receives congratulations from teammates during Saturday's game against Minnesota State-Mankato at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MSU 9

Winona State University's Gabie Doud (1) shoots a free throw during Saturday's game against Minnesota State-Mankato at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MSU 10

Winona State's players celebrate and cheer during Saturday's game at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MSU 11

Winona State University's Allie Pickrain (2) gets her shot blocked during Saturday's game against Minnesota State-Mankato at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MSU 12

Winona State's players and coaches look on with a slight look of concern and anticipation of a possible big play during Saturday's game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MSU 13

Winona State celebrate Senior Day at McCown Gymnasium at Saturday's game against Minnesota State-Mankato.
WSU WBB Vs Concordia
WSU WBB vs Concordia 1

Winona State University's Gabie Doud looks to drive to the basket during Friday's game against Concordia at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Concordia 2

Winona State University's Jenna Bruss (4) launches a three pointer during Friday's game against Concordia at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Concordia 3

Winona State University's Sydney Lodermeier (21) looks to drive to the basket during Friday's game against Concordia at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Concordia 4

Winona State University's Jenna Bruss dribbles the ball up the court during Friday's game against Concordia's Sidney Wentland at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Concordia 5

Winona State University's Allie Pickrain (2) dribbles the ball up the court during Friday's game against Concordia at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Concordia 6

Winona State Women's Basketball Head Coach Scott Ballard has a discussion with a referee during Friday's game against Concordia.
WSU WBB vs Concordia 7

Winona State University's Gabie Doud (1) powers her way up for a layup during Friday's game against Concordia's Kyrah Fredenburg (5) at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Concordia 8

Winona State University's Emily Kieck (11) leaps high for a layup during Friday's game against Concordia at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Concordia 9

Winona State University's Allie Pickrain (2) is well defended on this play by a Concordia player at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Concordia 10

Winona State University's Kayla Schaefer (25) prepares to shoot a free throw during Friday's game against Concordia at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Concordia 11

Winona State University's Jenna Bruss (4) shoots a shot in the lane against Concordia's Lexi Lee (14) during Friday's game at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Concordia 12

Winona State University's Emma Fee (43) positons herself for a rebound during Friday's game against Concordia at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Concordia 13

Winona State University's Jennah Johnson (34) leads the Winona State Women's team toward the bench for a timeout during Friday's game against Concordia at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Concordia 14

Winona State University's Sydney Lodermeier (21) flies toward the rim for a layup during Friday's game against Concordia at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Concordia 15

Multiple Winona State and Concordia players crash the boards for a rebound during Friday's game held at McCown Gymnasium.
Winona State v. Minot State 01

Winona State's Kayla Schaefer (25) pulls up for a jump shot on Friday night during the Warriors' game against Minot State at McCown Gymnasium.
Winona State v. Minot State 02

Winona State's Rachel Novotny (10) takes a 3-point shot on Friday night during the Warriors' game against Minot State at McCown Gymnasium.
Winona State v. Minot State 03

Winona State's Emily Kieck, right, drives to the basket on Friday night during the Warriors' game against Minot State.
Winona State v. Minot State 04

Winona State's Taylor Hustad (12) pulls up for a jump shot on Friday night during the Warriors' game against Minot State at McCown Gymnasium.
Winona State v. Minot State 05

Winona State's Gabie Doud (1) drives to the basket on Friday night during the Warriors' game against Minot State.
Winona State v. Minot State 06

Winona State's Emily Kieck hangs in the air after getting fouled on Friday night during the Warriors' game against Minot State.
Winona State v. Minot State 07

Winona State's Kayla Schaefer (25) looks to pass the ball on Friday night during the Warriors' game against Minot State at McCown Gymnasium.
Winona State v. Minot State 08

Winona State's Allie Pickrain (2) takes a 3-point shot on Friday night during the Warriors' game against Minot State at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. Sioux Falls 01

Winona State's Emily Kieck drives to the basket on Saturday during the Warriors' game against Sioux Falls at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. Sioux Falls 02

Winona State's Allie Pickrain takes a shot on Saturday during the Warriors' game against Sioux Falls at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. Sioux Falls 03

Winona State's Gabie Doud (1) dribbles the ball up the court on Saturday during the Warriors' game against Sioux Falls at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. SMSU 01

Winona State's Kayla Schaefer (25) and SMSU's Sarah Buysse (21) chase down a loose ball on Friday night at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. SMSU 02

Winona State's Gabie Doud (1) takes a 3-point shot on Friday night during the Warriors' game against SMSU at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. SMSU 03

Winona State's Emily Kieck (11) dribbles up the court on Friday night during the Warriors' game against SMSU at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. SMSU 04

Winona State's Allie Pickrain (2) takes a shot on Friday night during the Warriors' game against SMSU at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. SMSU 05

Winona State's Emily Kieck (11) goes up for an uncontested shot on Friday night during the Warriors' game against SMSU at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. SMSU 06

Winona State's Kayla Schaefer (25) looks to pass the ball on Friday night against SMSU at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. SMSU 07

Winona State's Gabie Doud (1) takes a shot on Friday night during the Warriors' game against SMSU at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. SMSU 08

Winona State's Allie Pickrain (2) drives to the basket on Friday night during the Warriors' game against SMSU at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. SMSU 09

Winona State's Emily Kieck (11) drives to the basket on Friday night during the Warriors' game against SMSU at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. SMSU 10

Winona State's Gabie Doud takes a 3-point shot on Friday night during the Warriors' game against SMSU at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. SMSU 11

Winona State's Allie Pickrain (2) passes the ball to Emily Kieck on Friday night during the Warriors' game against SMSU at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. SMSU 12

Winona State's Kayla Schaefer (25) and SMSU's Sarah Buysse (21) fight for a loose ball on Friday night at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. SMSU 13

Winona State's Allie Pickrain (2) takes a 3-point shot on Friday night during the Warriors' game against SMSU at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB Vs Northern State
WSU WBB vs Northern State 1

Winona State's Rachel Novotny goes up for a short jump shot against Northern State during Saturday's game at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Northern State 2

Winona State's Emily Kieck (11) goes up for a layup against Northern State during Saturday's game at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Northern State 3

Winona State's Emily Kieck (11) drives to the basket against Northern State during Saturday's game at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Northern State 4

Winona State's Rachel Novotny (10) goes up for a short jump shot against Northern State's Zoe Hardwick (54) during Saturday's game at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Northern State 5

Winona State's Gabie Doud (1) takes a jump shot from the free throw line during Saturday's game against Northern State's Anika Fredrick (41) at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Northern State 6

Winona State's Rachel Novotny (10) drives to the basket against Northern State's Alayna Johnson (52) during Saturday's game at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Northern State 7

Winona State's Emily Kieck (11) drives baseline during Saturday's game against Northern State at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Northern State 8

Winona State's Sydney Lodermeier (21) and Jenejha Williams (33) position themselves to rebound during Saturday's game against Northern State at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Northern State 9

Winona State's Emily Kieck (11) dribbles behind her back during Saturday's game against Northern State at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Northern State 10

Winona State's Emily Kieck (11) passes to basketball inbounds to teammate Taylor Hustad (12) during Saturday's game against Northern State at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MN Moorhead
WSU WBB vs MN Moorhead 1

Winona State's Emily Kieck (11) shoots a free throw against Minnesota State University Moorhead during Friday's game at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MN Moorhead 2

Winona State's Rachel Novotny (10) struggles to gather a rebound against Minnesota State University Moorhead during Friday's game at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MN Moorhead 3

Winona State's Kayla Schaefer (25) shoots a jumper over Minnesota State University Moorhead's Brooklyn Liegel (35) during Friday's game at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MN Moorhead 4

Winona State's Rachel Novotny (10) shoots a little jump hook shot against Minnesota State University Moorhead during Friday's game at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MN Moorhead 5

Winona State Women's Basketball team against Minnesota State University Moorhead during Friday's game at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MN Moorhead 6

Winona State's Taylor Hustad (12) dribbles up the court against Minnesota State University Moorhead during Friday's game at McCown Gymnasium
WSU WBB vs MN Moorhead 7

McGlone (farthest right) talks with Rachel Novotny and Gabie Doud (1) during a timeout in the Warriors' game against Minnesota State University Moorhead earlier in the season.
WSU WBB vs MN Moorhead 8

Winona State Women's Basketball team heads back onto the court against Minnesota State University Moorhead during Friday's game at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MN Moorhead 9

Winona State's Emily Kieck (11) shoots a free throw against Minnesota State University Moorhead during Friday's game at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MN Moorhead 10

Winona State's Taylor Hustad (12) goes up for a shot against Minnesota State University Moorhead during Friday's game at McCown Gymnasium
WSU WBB vs MN Moorhead 11

Winona State's Taylor Hustad (12) and Emma Fee (43) battle for rebounding postition against Minnesota State University Moorhead during Friday's game at McCown Gymnasium
WSU WBB vs MN Moorhead 12

Winona State Head Coach Scott Ballard gives instructions to Gabie Doud (1) during Friday's game against Minnesota State University Moorhead held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs MN Moorhead 13

Winona State's Allie Pickrain (2) shoots a layup against Minnesota State University Moorhead's Lauren Fech (10) during Friday's game at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. Wayne State 01

Winona State's Taylor Hustad attempts a shot on Saturday night against Wayne State at McCown Gymnasium in Winona.
WSU v. Wayne State 02

Winona State's Kayla Schaefer (25) drives hard to the basket as Wayne State defenders cut her off on Saturday night at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. Wayne State 03

Winona State's Jennah Johnson takes a 3-point shot on Saturday night against Wayne State at McCown Gymnasium in Winona.
WSU v. Wayne State 04

Winona State's Rachel Novotny (10) takes a shot over a Wayne State defender on Saturday at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. Wayne State 05

Winona State's Emma Fee, middle, makes a move towards the basket on Saturday night against Wayne State at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. Wayne State 06

Winona State's Julia Silloway (5) is defended by Wayne State's Andrea Larson (44) on Saturday at McCown Gymnasium in Winona.
WSU v. Wayne State 07

Winona State's Rachel Novotny (10) takes a shot as Wayne State's Brittany Bongartz, right, attempts to block her on Saturday night at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. Wayne State 08

Winona State's Jennah Johnson takes passes the ball down low on Saturday night against Wayne State at McCown Gymnasium in Winona.
WSU v. Wayne State 09

Winona State's Emma Fee (43) gets the ball knocked away as she takes a shot on Saturday night against Wayne State at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU v. Wayne State 10

Winona State's Taylor Hustad looks to pass the ball as she drives to the basket on Saturday night against Wayne State.
Winona State v. Augustana Women’s Basketball
WSU v. Augustana 01

Winona State's Rachel Novotny (10) looks to take a shot as Augustana defenders close in on her on Friday night at McCown Gymnasium. WSU lost 78-67.
WSU v. Augustana 02

Winona State's Allie Pickrain (2) launches a three as an Augustana defender attempts to block her on Friday night at McCown Gymnasium. WSU lost 78-67.
WSU v. Augustana 03

Winona State's Emma Fee (43) takes a shot over an Augustana defender on Friday night at McCown Gymnasium. WSU lost 78-67.
WSU v. Augustana 04

Winona State's Emily Kieck, right, drives to the basket for a shot against Augustana on Friday night at McCown Gymnasium. WSU lost 78-67.
WSU v. Augustana 05

Winona State's Emma Fee (43) and Julia Silloway (5) celebrate after cutting into the Augustana lead on Friday night at McCown Gymnasium. WSU lost 78-67.
WSU v. Augustana 06

Winona State and Augustana compete at McCown Gymnasium on Friday night.
WSU v. Augustana 07

Winona State's Jennah Johnson drives to the basket for a shot against Augustana on Friday night at McCown Gymnasium. WSU lost 78-67.
WSU v. Augustana 08

Winona State's Emily Kieck (11) dribbles up the court against Augustana on Friday night at McCown Gymnasium. WSU lost 78-67.
WSU v. Augustana 09

Winona State's Rachel Novotny (10) takes a shot over several Augustana defenders on Friday night at McCown Gymnasium. WSU lost 78-67.
WSU WBB vs Upper Iowa 1

Winona State University's Taylor Hustad (12) goes up for a layup during Saturday's game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Upper Iowa 2

Winona State University's Jenejha Williams (33) prepares to shoot a free throw during Saturday's game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Upper Iowa 3

Winona State University's Sydney Lodermeier (21) goes up for a floating jump shot during Saturday's game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Upper Iowa 4

Winona State University's Rachel Novotny shoots a hook shot during Saturday's game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Upper Iowa 5

Winona State University's bench celebrates a win during Saturday's game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Upper Iowa 6

Winona State University's Allie Pickrain (2) fires a jumper during Saturday's game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Upper Iowa 7

Winona State University's Rachel Novotny (10) shoots a layup against Upper Iowa during Saturday's game held at McCown Gymnasium.
WSU WBB vs Upper Iowa 8

Winona State University women fight for a loose rebound during Saturday's game against Upper Iowa held at McCown Gymnasium.
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