Members of No. 3 seed Winona believed they drew the Class 3A state tournament’s toughest random draw in DeLaSalle.

Much the quarterfinal game proved the Winhawks correct. They prevailed 64-59 in a game Wednesday at Mariucci Arena that saw the teams tied on five occasions and separated by just two points with 1:43 to play.

“DeLaSalle is really tough,” Winona senior guard Maria Appicelli said. “They are really good with their press and it kind of rattled us and made us turn over the ball.”

The Islanders (18-11) feasted off Winona miscues and scored 22 of 32 first half points off turnovers.

“We gathered ourselves and went back out there with a game plan of making a lot less turnovers,” Winona senior guard Eden Nibbelink said.

Smarter possessions and rebounding by Winona (25-4) turned the tide. A 22-10 advantage in second-chance points kept helped the Winhawks lead by as many as nine points after halftime.

“In the second half we weren’t making plays on offense and then we gave up some easy baskets,” DeLaSalle coach Tanysha Scott said.

Appicelli scored a big basket with a high degree of difficulty. Catching a quick pass from Nibbelink, she shot before her momentum carried her past the backboard. Winona led 61-57 with 1:27 to go and DeLaSalle got no closer.

DAVID LA VAQUE

Winona pulled away late in a competitive game for a 64-59 defeat of DeLaSalle in Wednesday’s Class 3A quarterfinal played at Mariucci Arena.

Minneapolis-based DeLaSalle (18-11) led 32-31 at halftime but the No. 3-seed Winhawks (25-4) rallied to make key plays down the stretch.

Check back later for more on the game.