WINONA, Minn. – Michelle Tobin scored a career-high 22 points as the Winona State women’s basketball team held off Northern State to post a 49-44 victory Friday in McCown Gymnasium.

Statistics

Tobin was an efficient 9-of-14 from the floor to reach her new career high while also grabbing eight rebounds.

The Warrior defense was strong, holding the Wolves to 31 percent shooting and just 16 percent from behind the 3-point line. Northern State is the seventh opponent this season WSU has kept under 32 percent shooting for the game and the ninth who failed to score 50 points.

WSU also forced 15 turnovers, with Katie Wolff and Marieanna Dulas each recording three steals for the Warriors.

Winona State jumped out to an early lead, scoring 11 consecutive points to hold a 15-4 lead with just under 13 minutes to play in the first half. The WSU advantage reached as many as 17 in the opening half, as the Warriors took a 30-16 lead into the break.

Northern State spent much of the second half clawing back, cutting the Winona State advantage to six with 5:26 to play in the game. After the Warriors pushed their lead to ten points after a 3-point play by Tobin, NSU charged back again, getting to within five with 20 seconds remaining. The Wolves got a pair of looks at the basket from there, missing out on an attempt to pull even closer.

Wolff added 14 points for the Warriors, hitting four 3-pointers while grabbing eight rebounds and handing out three assists. Kate Hartman came off the bench to score seven points while adding six rebounds.

The victory moves Winona State to 15-7 overall and 9-6 in NSIC play. The team will return to the court Saturday to host MSU Moorhead at 4 pm.