Sparked by a game high 26 points from senior guard Vanessa Johnson, the University of Sioux Falls opened the 2011 season with a 78-57 win Saturday at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minn.
At the 17:52 mark in the first quarter, Laura Johnson's layup gave USF a two point lead that would hold for the rest of the game. From there the Cougars went on a 12-2 scoring run to take their first double digit point lead of the game at 14-4. Over the remaining 15 minutes of the first half, USF did not allow SMSU to come any closer than seven and at one time led by 22 points. USF held a 41-22 lead at the break.
The Cougars continued their dominance and maintained a large lead most of the second half, where they held a 29 point advantage with seven minutes remaining in the game. SMSU made a late push to cut their deficit down to 18 points, outshooting USF in FG percentage, 54% to 41%, but it was too little too late.
Vanessa Johnson, who knocked down five 3-pointers for the Cougars, led all scorers with 26 points (14 in the 2nd half) and five rebounds. Abby Kenealy led the Mustangs with 20 points and five rebounds.
Laura Johnson was just two rebounds shy of a double-double as she finished with 11 points and 8 rebounds, while Jamey Hofer tallied 10 points on the day.
USF, 1-0, will be back in action Tuesday night when they take on Augustana in the 2011 Prairie Spirit Challenge at Sioux Falls Arena. Tip-off is set for 6:00p.m.
