Men's Basketball 11/28/08 -- Winona State 89, Augsburg 48
WINONA, Minn. (11/28/08) -- Shooting and rebounding proved to be the difference on Friday night, as defending NCAA Division II national champion Winona State University claimed a 89-48 victory over Division III Augsburg College in a nonconference men's basketball game at Winona State's McCown Gymnasium.
Winona State (3-2 overall) shot 50.8 percent (33-of-65) from the field, including 52 percent (13-of-25) from three-point range. Meanwhile, the Warriors outrebounded Augsburg (2-2 overall) 38-23, and limited the Auggies to 42.2 percent (19-of-45) shooting from the field, including just 16.7 percent (2-of-12) from three-point range.
Winona State also claimed a 17-7 edge in offensive rebounds -- converting 26 second-chance points to Augsburg's seven -- and also forced 20 Augsburg turnovers. The Warriors converted 32 points off turnovers, while Augsburg scored 13 points off of 12 Winona State miscues.
Augsburg was paced by three players scoring in double-figures -- Jon Cassens (JR, Prior Lake, Minn.) scored 13 points, David Olson (SR, Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes HS) had 11 points, and Cory Polta (FY, Spring Lake Park, Minn.) scored 10 points. Nate Alm (SR, Eden Prairie, Minn.) had a team-high nine rebounds.
Thirteen of Winona State's 14 players who saw playing time scored, led by three players in double-figures -- David Johnson with 15 points, and Travis Whipple and Ben Fischer with 11 points apiece. Johnson added six rebounds and three steals, and Fischer had six assists, four steals and four rebounds.
Augsburg held an early lead, taking an 8-5 advantage in the first four minutes of play. But Winona State used a 10-0 run over a 2:57 span to take a 15-8 advantage with 13:00 left in the first half, a lead the Warriors would extend to as many as 18 points in the first half.
The Warriors led 40-22 at halftime, keyed on a 50-percent (17-of-34) shooting effort from the field. Winona State also outrebounded Augsburg by a 21-12 margin in the first half, including a 9-3 edge in offensive rebounds. Augsburg was limited to just 34.8 percent (8-of-23) shooting from the field in the first half. Winona State pulled away in the second half, extending the lead to as much as 42 points.
Augsburg opens Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play next Wednesday (12/3) at 7:30 p.m., hosting Hamline at Si Melby Hall.
