The University of Sioux Falls women's basketball team put a one in their 2011 loss column Saturday after losing a close 52-51 game at future NSIC foe St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn.

It was clear the game would be a close one, as the game saw six lead changes and four ties in the first half.

A free throw make by Holli Aggen with 18:01 on the clock gave USF their first lead at 5-4. They would lead by as much as five but, Jessica Benson's jumper with 12:57 left in the half for SCSU tied it back up at 12-12.

Both teams struggled from the floor, shooting 27.3% (USF) and 29.6% (SCSU) respectively to make for a low scoring 20-20 contest at the break.

Like the first half the two teams kept it close posting four lead changes and four ties.

USF claimed the advantage most of the half, but a Jumper by Morgan Lof and 3-pointer by Jordi Gerking gave SCSU their largest lead of the half at five with 15 minutes left in the game.

The Cougars regained the lead and look to be in control, extending their lead to 43-34 with seven minutes left to go, but the Huskies turned it up over the next four minutes as they went on a 14-3 scoring run to recapture the lead and go up 48-46 with 3:43 left in the period.

SCSU received a little more comfort when Nicole Anderson scored a quick layup to put them up four, but coach Traphagen subbed in his shooters. His strategy worked as USF got a huge 3-pointer from Bailey Bouman to cut the lead to make it a 1 point game with 1:28 to go.

USF went back to here seconds later, but came up empty. SCSU's Aaryn Booker responded with a game deciding layup to hold a 52-49 lead with 23 seconds left in the game.

Alyssa Rushton scored the game's final shot as time expired to making it a 52-51 victory for the Huskies.

USF's shooting was much improved in the second half, where they actually held the advantage in FG% (39.3%), Free throw % (100%) and 3FG % (35.7%).

Rushton led the Cougars with 13 points and two rebounds. USF also received another solid performance from Jamie Hofer. She came two points shy of a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds.

The Cougars now 2-1 return to action Tuesday at 7p.m. when they travel to Fayette, Iowa to play Upper Iowa University.