Thursday, March 1, 2012

The Big Game 2-29-12: Winona State men leap forward

Apropos of leap day, the Winona State men leaped past a formidable challenge in St. Cloud State to open the NSIC playoffs. Winona is of course the best team in the NSIC with a 19-3 regular season record. But because the Warriors used an ineligible player, they were penalized by being knocked down to a #6 seed. Ergo, the trip to St. Cloud.

But frankly, this works more like a penalty for St. Cloud. After busting their hump all season long and coming up with the #3 seed, they ended up playing #1 instead of a real #6 seed. Hopefully, they get some dispensation from somebody when it comes time to evaluate their season and to determine who gets a bid to the NCAAs.

The final was Winona State 64 St. Cloud State 53. Winona closed the game on a 19-5 run to erase a St. Cloud advantage of 48-45. Clayton Vetter had 22 points and 11 boards for the Warriors.

Elsewhere in the NSIC the top seeds all won: Among the men,  #1 Bemidji State, #2 Southwest State, #4 Moorhead State. Among the women, #1 Wayne State, #2 Augustana, #3 Mary. #4 and 5, Moorhead and Augustana, play tomorrow night.

Player of the Day

Tia Elbert, Tartan girls, 37 points in upset win over Stillwater.

Coach of the Day

Charlita Williamson, Tartan girls. Hey, I saw her out-coach the other side and beat a team that had better talent from #2 through #10. She knows what she is doing.

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