SIOUX FALLS – Led by Drew Guebert with 23 points and Zach Wessels with 17, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (6-1, 2-0 NSIC) shook off a slow start and rallied for a 80-64 NSIC victory over Winona State (4-2, 1-1 NSIC) before 776 at the Stewart Center on Friday night.

In total, USF had four players in double figures and again out-shot an opponent in moving to 6-1 on the season and 2-0 in the NSIC and a tie for first in the South Division. The Cougars, which defeated WSU for the fourth straight time, are off to their best start since the 2006-07 team started 21-1.

"We had a slow start but then the guys were able to turn it around, rally and put a victory in the win column," said USF Men's Basketball Head Coach Chris Johnson, who recorded his 162nd win at the helm of the Cougars. "It was simply a matter of us doing what we do best. We took the ball to the basket and finished or were able to draw fouls and pick up points at the foul line," added Johnson, whose team is off to its best start in his 10 seasons at USF.

Guebert, who was named both the NSIC and U.S. Basketball Writers Association Player of the Week, continued his hot start to the season. He scored 20 points for the sixth time this season and 18th in his career. The junior forward made 6-of-11 shots from the field, including 2-of-5 from three point range as well as 9-of-12 free throws for 23 points. He grabbed seven rebounds and recorded a career-best three blocked shots. With his total, he now has 983 career points and is 17 away from becoming USF's 32nd player in school history to reach 1,000 points.

Also stepping up for USF was senior guard Zach Wessels, who had a season-high 17 points along with three rebounds and four assists. In 34 minutes of action, Wessels, who surpassed 500 (513) points in his career and recorded his 19th double figure scoring game, did not commit a turnover, made all seven of his field goals and was 3-of-3 from the foul line. Also reaching double digits was senior guard Jerrod Walton with 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Walton also went over 500 points (502) in his career with his performance. Junior guard Trevon Evans added 14 points and six rebounds as he has reached double digits in points in six of the seven games this season.

The Cougars, which reached 80 points or more for the sixth time in seven outings, have outshot their opponents in every victory this season. Against WSU, the Cougars knocked down 28-of-57 shots for 49.1 percent. However, USF, the league's top three-point shooting team, was just 5-of-15 from distance and 19-of-28 for 67.9 percent from the foul line. Where USF held a major edge was in the paint, owning a 40-to-16 points advantage.

USF, which ranks ninth nationally in rebound margin at 12.7 per game, again showed domination on the boards. They outboarded WSU, 44-32, and won the rebound battle for the seventh straight game. In addition, Johnson's troops clamped down on defense, holding WSU to just 21-of-62 for 33.9 percent from the floor for the game They also had five blocks and four steals.  The Warriors was led offensively by Mason Domask, who had 20 points, including 6-of-8 from three-point range. Overall, WSU made 11-of-28 from three-point range but were unable to match USF inside.

Clearly, the game with WSU was a tale of two halves. After falling behind 11-2 in the opening minutes, the Cougars rallied to within 33-31 at halftime. After the break, USF opened with a 26-11 run and outscored WSU, 49-31 in the second half to claim their second NSIC victory.

After Domask hit back-to-back three's in the first four minutes of the game, WSU led, 11-2. Five straight points from Guebert trimmed the deficit to 11-7 at the 14:23 mark. Later, Wessels put in a lay-up as USF trailed, 15-14 (9:54).  The Warriors quickly answered with a 6-0 run as Domask's trey provided a 21-14 advantage with 8:42 to play. WSU held the lead at five points until Wessels converted a three-point play to trim the lead to 28-27 with 3:32 on the clock. In the final seconds, Evans slipped inside for a lay-up to keep the halftime deficit at just 33-31.

After Domask opened the second half with five points, including a trey, for a 39-33 lead, the Cougars began their comeback. Over the next 4:33 of the second half clock, the Cougars put together a 16-to-3 run for a 49-42 lead as Guebert had seven points, Wessels added four and reserve guard Aaron Rothermund had a big three-pointer.

The Warriors cut the lead to five (49-44, 12:59) but once again USF had an answer with an 8-0 run, capped by a pair of free throws from Guebert for the 57-44 lead at the 10:07 mark.

After that USF continued to take the ball inside as they stymied repeated attempts by WSU to make a run. The Cougars, which had a 26-12 advantage in paint points in the second half, received a lay-up from Evans at the 5:45 mark for a 67-53 lead. Walton followed up with a drive at score at the 5:04 mark and then canned his only three of the game. At the 3:15 mark, Wessels had a twisting conversion of a lay-up for a 74-56 lead and the issue was decided.

On Saturday, USF will host Upper Iowa at approximately 6 p.m. (15 minutes after the women's game) at the Stewart Center. It will also be Autograph Night as USF players from both the men's and women's teams will sign free schedule posters after their respective games.