WINONA, Minn. – Despite 31 points from junior forward Drew Guebert, including a career-best seven three pointers, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (10-5, 6-4 NSIC) dropped a heartbreaking 72-70 decision to Winona State (10-6, 5-5 NSIC) on Saturday.

In a game with 15 lead changes, WSU, which trailed 39-31 at halftime, rallied with a 41-31 advantage in the second half to pick up its second straight come-from-behind victory at home. WSU's Devin Whitelow made two free throws with 17 seconds left for the lead and USF's final two shots were offline as the Warriors improved to 7-6 in the all-time series with the Cougars.

USF also had a four-game winning streak against WSU snapped. For the first time this season (9-1), USF lost when outshooting its opponent (48.9 percent to 45.5 percent).

Guebert, who now has 54 career double digit scoring games, was 11-of-18 from the field, including 7-of-12 from three point range. He added eight rebounds and blocked two shots. He recorded his third 30-point plus game and ninth 20-plus point game of the season. He now has 21 games of 20 points or more in his career. Guebert, who now has 1,143 career points, continued his move up the USF all-time scoring chart to 23rd, passing Matt Correa, who had 1,118 career points from 1993-97. Guebert, who scored 43 points and made a combined nine treys this weekend, also moved into fifth place all-time in made three-pointers with 174.

Junior guard Trevon Evans also reached double digits for USF with 10 points while dishing four assists and grabbing two rebounds. Junior guard Aaron Rothermund added nine points, which was a career-high total in a conference game. Senior Zach Wessels had seven points and three rebounds while senior Tom Aase came off the bench to provide seven points and five rebounds.

For the game, USF ended up 23-of-47 for 48.9 percent from the field, including 11-of-23 for 47.8 percent from three-point range. USF had a 32-27 rebound edge, including seven off the offensive glass. For the second night in a row, USF was hurt by turnovers with 16 as WSU turned those mistakes into 22 points. WSU was 25-of-55 from the field for 45.5 percent, including 7-of-19 from three point range. Corey Jeff led WSU with 15 points while Tommy Gathje added 14.

Game Breakdown
With Guebert knocking in five of the team's nine first half three points, the Cougars took a 39-31 lead at halftime. However, USF led just 12-10 at the midpoint of the first half before closing with a 27-21 advantage.

In the opening minute, USF jumped out to a 5-0 lead as Guebert knocked in a three and Evans converted inside. The Warriors answered with a pair of threes from Kevion Taylor and Caleb Wagner for a 6-5 lead (16:50, 1st half).  Guebert responded in kind with his third three of half as Cougars took 11-8 lead (15:04). For the next 4:30 neither team scored until Aase, who had five first-half points off the bench, made 1-of-2 free throws for a 12-8 lead (10:30, 1st half).  

USF took off on a 12-4 run, keyed by five points from Guebert and a Rothermund three, for a 26-18 advantage with 6:13 left in the half. WSU responded with a 5-2 run to cut lead to 28-23 (4:01, 1st half). After an offensive rebound and put back by Teathloach Pal, Mason Domask knocked in a three and a jumper as Cougars led, 30-28 with 2:51 to play. However, USF closed on a 9-2 run as Pal, Guebert and Rothermund all knocked in treys in the final 2:33.   

For the second straight night, USF had a solid shooting performance in the first half. USF was 14-of-26 for 53.8 percent and 9-of-17 from three point range. WSU was also on target with 50 percent on 13-of-26 shooting, including 4-of-7 from three point range. USF also had a 15-to-10 advantage on the boards. Guebert led all scorers with 17 while Rothermund added seven.  

The Warriors opened the second half fast with eight straight points to tie the game at 39 with 18:21 to play. Wessels broke the run with a made free throw for a 40-39 lead. WSU took a 43-42 lead with 16:33 to play when Gathje converted a three-point play. But Guebert tied his career high with his sixth three pointer for a 45-43 lead at the 16:24 mark. Over the next several minutes, the lead changed hands three times with Rothermund lay-up providing the Cougars with a 49-48 lead at the 12:36 mark.

With two free throws from Aase and Guebert's career-best seventh trey, USF took a 63-59 advantage over WSU at the 5:22 mark. However, Caleb Wagner converted a three-point play as WSU re-took the lead with six straight points for a 65-63 lead (4:15, 2nd half).  With 32 seconds left, Austin Slater as fouled and made 1-of-2 free throws as the Cougars took a 70-69 lead over Winona State. Then, Whitelow was fouled and made two free throws for the lead with 17 seconds left. Evans's jumper with four seconds left was offline and Charlie Koontz closed the scoring for WSU with a made free throw.

After going 1-1 on the road this weekend, USF returns to the Stewart Center for a pair of games. They will host Bemidji State at 8 p.m. on Jan. 12 and Minnesota Crookston at 6 p.m. on Jan. 13.