Box Score

WINONA, Minn. – Jon Walburg scored 17 points and hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:57 to play as the No. 6 Winona State men’s basketball team survived a physical game to beat Southwest Minnesota State 69-68 in McCown Gymnasium.

Walburg’s triple put the Warriors up 69-67 at just under the two minute mark. From there SMSU could only muster one free throw and missed on a half-court shot at the buzzer.

Walburg finished the game 7-of-12 from the field while hitting three 3-pointers. He also grabbed five rebounds. Zander Culver added 13 points while Xavier Humphrey scored 11 as Winona State pushed its record to 19-2 overall and an NSIC-leading 14-1 in league games.

Neither team could pull away in the second half, with the Warriors’ holding the largest lead of the half at seven after a Walburg jumper with 9:06 to play. SMSU scored the next five points to pull within two and take a quick 67-66 lead on a Jordan Miller three with 2:10 remaining. Walburg followed on the next possession with a trey of his own that give WSU a lead they would not give up.

Clayton Vette scored nine points and grabbed nine rebounds while Taylor Cameron added eight.

The Warriors have now won eight consecutive games and are 12-0 at home this season.

WSU will travel to St. Cloud State and Concordia-St. Paul next weekend.