SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The last month has been one to remember for Jonte Flowers, who has emerged as the go-to player for the Winona State University men's basketball team.

Grand Valley State coach Ric Wesley knew that and did his best to convey it to his team. These days, though, it's tough stopping Flowers.

Flowers scored 29 points Wednesday night, leading the Warriors to a 67-54 victory over the Lakers in the first round of the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.

"Everybody we talked to told us he was the guy, that he was their best player," Wesley said. "I knew Flowers was tough. He scores in a variety of ways and is a tremendous defender.

"He's a great player no matter what, but when he's hitting his (3-pointers) he's next to impossible to stop. He was on fire tonight. It's disappointing one of the known guys beat us."

Grand Valley State did an excellent job defending John Smith, a senior center who was named a repeat winner Tuesday as Division II player of the year. Smith managed just six points on 3-of-10 shooting.

Flowers, though, had it going from the start. His 3-pointer less than five minutes into the game gave the Warriors a 15-8 lead and his 15-footer with 11:41 remaining in the half pushed WSU's lead to 24-11.

The Lakers held the Warriors scoreless the rest of the first half and Flowers spent the final three minutes on the bench with a minor knee injury. It didn't slow him in the second half.

He drilled a 3-pointer on the first possession of the second half and his hook moments later tied the game 29-29. His rebound and follow at the 16:25 mark gave the Warriors the lead for good.

"I hit my knee really hard there and there was a big bump on it," Flowers said. "I just wanted to get some ice on it and get stretched at halftime. It was starting to cramp on me.

"I just came out and played. It's my last year so I want to give it all I have."

In the past 10 games, Flowers has scored 20 points or more six times, 30 points or more twice and scored a career-best 40 points Feb. 16 against Minnesota State-Moorhead.

He finished 11 of 17 from the field, 5-for-8 from 3-point range and 2-for-3 at the free-throw line. He added three rebounds, three assists, five steals and two blocked shots.