MANKATO, Minn. – Playing against a ranked opponent for the first time in his career, Riley Bambenek put together an unbelievable performance, scoring 33 points to lead the Winona State men's basketball team to a 78-75 victory over No. 9 Minnesota State Saturday in Mankato.

Bambenek connected on 12 of his 19 field goal attempts, including three from behind the 3-point line, to pace the Warriors in the victory. The freshman also led the Warriors with nine rebounds and four assists.

Winona State has now won its last three games against a Minnesota State team ranked in the nation's top-ten.

The contest was tight throughout, with the Warriors holding the game's largest lead, an eight point advantage, midway through the first half. Minnesota State came back to take a five point lead into halftime, but the Warriors scored the first five points of the second period to quickly tie the game at 31.

Neither team held more than a two-score advantage the rest of the way. With MSU leading by one, Taylor Cameron knocked down a pair of free throws with 48 seconds remaining to give the Warriors a 75-74 lead, an advantage they would not give up.

Minnesota State missed a 3-pointer on its next possession, with Kellen Taylor pulling down the rebound and drawing a foul. The senior knocked down both free throws, pushing the WSU lead to 77-74. After an Aseem Marei free throw for MSU, Bambenek was fouled with three second left and hit one of two, cementing the victory for the Warriors.

The win moves Winona State to 7-2 overall and 3-0 in NSIC play. The Warriors are now 33-25 against ranked opponents under head coach Mike Leaf and 6-7 against ranked MSU squads.

Winona State continued its strong shooting, making 48 percent (26-of-54) of its field goal attempts and 42.9 percent (6-of-14) of its shots from behind the 3-point line.

Conrad Masberg came off the bench to score a career-high 11 points, hitting a pair of treys in the process, while Cameron added ten.

The Warriors will return home next weekend for matchups against Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State.