WINONA, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (14-6, 9-5 NSIC), which was led by 23 points from Drew Guebert and a career-high 22 from Chase Grinde, dropped a heart-breaking 80-77 decision to hot-shooting Winona State (9-11, 6-8 NSIC) on Saturday at McCown Gymnasium.  

USF which is 5-2 in road NSIC play, dropped to fourth place in the South Division but just a half-game behind Minnesota State, Augustana and Wayne State, who all sit at 9-4, and play on Sunday. For the third time in eight tries, USF lost a game decided by five points or fewer.

USF, which trailed by 14 points in the first half (42-28, 2:44, 1^st half), had a 12-0 run to close the first half and trail just 42-40. WSU outscored USF, 38-37, in the second half to take the three-point win for just their second win against USF in the last six meetings.

Key to the win for WSU was its perimeter shooting as they connected on 17-of-30 three-point baskets for 56.7 percent. They also hit 13-of-14 free throws to offset USF's 39-25 rebound edge. USF actually outshot Winona State, 47.6 percent (30-of-63) to 43.1 percent (25-of-58), but made just 6-of-19 from three point range for 31.6 percent. Despite making 11-of-13 free throws for 84.6 percent, the 17-to-6 edge by WSU in made threes proved to be the difference.

"I thought we had solid offense tonight but give the Warriors credit they are a good team, who can really shoot it," said USF Head Coach Chris Johnson. "We go home and look to rebound and get back on the winning track," added Johnson, whose team has won 6-of-8 games overall.

For Grinde, a redshirt freshman from Spring Grove, Minn., the 22 points was a career-high as he hit 8-of-11 field goals. Grinde, who also had a career-best 15 points in half (1st half), also made 2-of-4 from three-point range and all four of his free throws while grabbing a career-high nine rebounds and two steals in 36 minutes of action.

Guebert, who had 13 points in the second half, registered 23 points, eight rebounds and three blocks for the second straight night. Guebert had his 38^th 20-point game of his career and 11th of the season. Guebert, who now has 1,799 career points (4^th all-time at USF), recorded his 85^th career double digit scoring game.

Trevon Evans, who had his 23rd straight double-digit scoring game with 14 points, had three rebounds, and three assists. He now has 1,070 career points and registered his 46^th double-digit scoring game.

The Warriors were led by Kevion Taylor, who had 27 points and nine rebounds with six assists. He made 4-of-9 from three-point range. Mason Domask had 14 points and four treys while Caleb Wagner had 13 points and a trio of treys. Seven WSU players hit three pointers in the game.

Game Breakdown --

Early in the first half, Evans and Guebert had baskets for USF, which led 4-0 at the 18:34 mark. But Domask hit a trio of threes as WSU took a 9-7 lead with 17:25 to play. With a jumper from Grinde, USF tied the game at 11 at the 15:46 mark. After Grinde hit a pair of shots to keep USF within 19-18 at the 9:58 mark, the Warriors took off on a 23-10 run with four different players hitting treys. After two foul shots by Devin Whitelow with 2:44 to play, WSU led, 42-28. In the final 2:32, USF closed on a 12-0 run, including a pair of threes from Guebert, as the Cougars drew within 42-40 at halftime.

In the first half, USF hit 16-of-32 from the field for 50 percent and 20-12 rebound edge. The Cougars controlled the paint with a 22-to-4 edge but WSU hit 10-of-18 from three-point range and all eight of its free throws.

WSU opened the second half with threes from Tommy Gathje and Taylor for a 54-46 lead with 15:51 to play.   Guebert scored seven straight points for USF as the Cougars cut the deficit to 54-53 at the 13:20 mark. USF stayed close but WSU continually came up with big baskets. A jumper by Taylor helped the Warriors to a 63-59 lead at the 8:41 mark.

At the 6:22 mark, Wagner's three pushed WSU's lead to 69-63. Once again, the Cougars responded with an 8-3 run cutting WSU's lead to 72-71 with 2:43 on the clock. Later, USF was able to tie the game at 75-75 on a basket by Guebert with 1:27 to play in the game. However, Taylor answered with a three at the 1:05 mark.

After USF missed on the offensive end, Taylor made two more free throws for an 80-75 advantage with 17 seconds to play. With two seconds left, Grinde's two foul shots closed the gap to 80-77 but after Wagner missed two foul shots, the Cougars were unable to get off a shot in the final ticks of the game.

USF will now return home to face Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston on Feb. 1-2 at the Stewart Center.