Wayne State could not overcome 37.7 percent shooting, the second-worst percentage of the season, as the Wildcats suffered a 67-63 Northern Sun Conference South Division men's basketball setback at Winona State Saturday afternoon.  The Wildcats had won the previous eight matchups against Winona State, but falls to 16-8 and 11-7 in the NSIC while the host Warriors are now 13-10 and 8-10 in NSIC play.
            Despite the loss, Wayne State remains tied for first in the NSIC South Division as co-leader Sioux Falls also lost in NSIC play Saturday afternoon at Minnesota State.
            Neither team held a lead of more than four points until the final five minutes of the first half as the two teams traded eight lead changes with three ties.
            Winona State held a 24-23 lead with 6:56 to play in the first half, but WSC scored nine straight points to grab a 32-24 lead following an Elijah Watson jumper at the 2:35 mark.  But the Warriors ended the half with five straight points and reduced the Wildcat lead to 32-29 at intermission.
            The Wildcats held a five-point lead early in the second half at 41-36 thanks to a Jordan Janssen three-point play.
            The host Warriors then went on a 14-1 scoring surge over the next 6:33 to take their biggest lead of the game at 50-42.
            WSC came back with their own scoring run, producing 10 of the next 11 points, and the 'Cats took their final lead of the game on a Nick Ferrarini jumper at 52-51 with 6:48 remaining. 
            Winona State pushed the lead back to six a 60-54, but a Ferrarini trey and basket by Janssen got the Wildcats within one at 60-59 at the 2:11 mark.
            The two teams traded baskets and following a Cody McCullough put back Winona State held a 62-61 lead with 23.8 seconds remaining.
            WSC fouled Winona State's Declan Dillon, who missed the front end of the 1 and 1, but the Warriors grabbed the offensive rebound and the 'Cats had to foul again as Luke Martens made two free throws for a 64-61 lead.
            A Justin Eagins layup with 7.8 to play made the score 64-63, but Martens again sank two free throws followed by 1 of 2 from James Kelley to seal the Winona State 67-63 win.
            Wayne State shot just 37.7 percent from the floor on 23 of 61.  The 'Cats hit 9 of 24 from the 3-point line and made 8 of 14 free throws.
            Nate Mohr had 17 points for Wayne State.  Ferrarini and Janssen each had 14 with McCullough scoring 13.
            Winona State connected on 23 of 49 shots for 46.9 percent, including 8 of 18 behind the arc.  The Warriors were 13 for 18 at the line.
            Connor Dillon scored a game-high 23 points for the Warriors to go with six assists.  Martens accounted for 15, Connor Drew scored 11 and Kelley finished with 10.
            Winona State held a 34-27 edge on the glass despite nine boards each from Janssen and McCullough.  Janssen had a team-high four assists while Eagins finished with three steals.
            The Wildcats return to Rice Auditorium for NSIC South Division games next weekend hosting Minnesota State Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Concordia-St. Paul Saturday in a 3:30 p.m. contest.