WINONA, Minn. – Taylor Cameron and Clayton Vette combined to score 53 points as the Winona State men’s basketball team erased a ten point halftime deficit to post a 91-83 overtime victory over Southwest Minnesota State.
Box Score
Winona State clawed its way back into the game throughout the second half, hanging around before making a move in the closing minutes of regulation. Southwest Minnesota State led by four with 20 seconds to play, but Cameron drove the length of the floor for a layup that brought WSU to within two, 75-73, with 13 seconds left.
The Warriors fouled on the next Mustang possession, with Nick Smith missing the front end of a one-and-one. Cameron drove the lane again, drew a foul and sank both free throws with just six seconds left to force overtime.
Winona State was red-hot in the extra period, hitting all five of its shots from the floor while outscoring SMSU 16-8 to secure the comeback victory. Xavier Humphrey began the overtime with a 3-pointer to take an early lead in the extra frame. Humphrey’s trey gave WSU a 78-75 lead, the first Warrior advantage since leading 15-14 with 13:46 to play in the first half.
The teams traded baskets, with the game tied at 83 with 1:22 to play. Humphrey converted a layup and Vette responded with a 3-pointer to cement the WSU victory.
Vette recorded his fourth consecutive double-double, scoring a team-high 29 points while grabbing 11 rebounds. He was 11-of-19 from the floor while also collecting two steals.
Cameron scored a career-best 24 points, going 9-of-13 from the floor and knocking down a pair of 3-pointers. He also had six rebounds and five assists as the Warriors moved their record to 10-3 overall and 4-2 in NSIC play.
Humphrey scored 15, hitting three shots from behind the arc while Jordan Fischer came off the bench to score ten. Kellen Taylor added seven points and seven rebounds while Caleb Palkert scored six and netted eight boards.
Southwest Minnesota State was red-hot in the opening period, shooting 69 percent (20-of-29) from the floor. The Warriors were strong from the floor as well, hitting 15-of-30 shots in the first 20 minutes.
Winona State will return to action Saturday when it hosts Sioux Falls. Tipoff is set for 6 pm in McCown Gymnasium.