WINONA, Minn. - The Concordia-St. Paul men's basketball team (8-20, 6-16 NSIC) were defeated on Saturday afternoon by the Winona State Warriors (15-12, 10-12 NSIC), 81-77 in their final game of the 2022-23 season. 

The Warriors opened the game on a 12-3 run with the lone CSP basket coming on a John Grigsby 3-pointer. After trading a few baskets, the Golden Bears put together a 12-4 run, to bring them within one, 27-26 with 5:12 left in the half. Jacob Everson would tie it up at 30 a few minutes later with a 3-pointer and hit a jumper at the buzzer to bring them back within one heading into the half, 33-32. 

Antwan Kimmons scored the first six points for Concordia out of the half, tying it up 38-38. The Warriors would take momentum over the next four minutes, going on an 18-6 run with CSP being limited to 3-pointers from Sean Mathiu and Caden Hoffman. Down 10, 56-46, the Golden Bears would flip the script and go on an 18-5 run, culminating in back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers from Emad Elniel to take the lead 62-61. 

With five minutes to go fouls started to hurt CSP. The 15 second half penalties gave Winona State free-throws early and often with nine of the Warriors final 19 points coming from the line. A converted and-one by Winona State's Conner Dillion with 1:38 on the clock would put the game out of reach, pushing them to a two possession lead that the Bears could not overcome as WSU took the win 81-77. 

The Golden Bears were incredibly efficient in the second half shooting the ball, hitting 50-percent of their shots from the field (16-of-32) and from behind the arc (7-of-14). Winona State made up for it by shooting 61.5-percent from the field (16-of-26) and getting to the line, shooting 19 free-throws and making 13. The trips to the charity stripe would be one of the biggest difference makers in the half and the game, as the Bears were only able to force seven shots from the foul line, making six. 

Antwan Kimmons led the way for the Bears in their final contest, picking up his fifth double-double of the season with 22 points and 10 rebounds. The CSP guard was 8-of-17 from the field (47.1-percent) and added three assists and a steal. 

Emad Elniel put up 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field with four second-half 3-pointers. Jacob Everson capped off the trio of Concordia players in double-digits, scoring 13 points, three rebounds, and two assists.

Marcus Skeete added nine points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field while pulling down four boards, with three assists, a block, and a steal.

As a team the Golden Bears shot 47.5-percent from the field (28-of-59) and 43.3-percent from deep (13-of-30). The Warriors 49.2-percent with one more made basket than CSP (29-of-59). Concordia was 8-of-10 from the foul line, while WSU more than doubled their attempts with 24, making 13.

Connor Dillion was the star for Winona State, scoring 27 points on 10-of-22 shooting, including 5-of-12 from behind the arc. The Warriors sophomore guard also finished with four rebounds and four assists.