The University of Sioux Falls completed their four game non-conference schedule with a 56-42 win over Dakota State University Saturday night at the Stewart Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. After posting a season-low 20 points in the opening half, the Cougars outscored the Trojans 36-21 in the second period to improve to 4-0 on the season. Seniors A.J. Holland and James Rader led the way with 13 points each for USF.
Tonight's matchup was a regular season contest for USF, but an exhibition for DSU. The Trojans remain 5-1 this season.
With the win, USF has now tallied 18 consecutive victories at home.
The first half was a defensive battle. Neither team had much success putting the ball in the goal, as USF shot just 29% from the field, while DSU connected at a 37% rate in the opening period.
Despite poor shooting, USF didn't trail in the first half until Luke Lamb recorded a layup in the 19th minute of play to give DSU their first and only lead of the game. The Trojans carried a 21-20 advantage into the locker room.
The Cougars came out a new team following the break. It took some time, but they slowly pulled away from DSU.
USF opened the half on a 7-0 scoring run to claim a six-point lead, but as the Cougars warmed up so did the Trojans. DSU responded with back-to-back 3-pointers to knot things up at 31-31 with 12:09 to play.
Ahead 38-37 near the 9:22 mark, USF made its move. Long jumpers began to fall; ironically they fell for players who typically do their damage inside the paint.
Senior forward David Maxwell, who entered the game 0-5 from beyond the arc, hit a momentum-changing 3-pointer near the 7:24 mark to get the Cougars going. A little over 60 seconds later, USF center James Rader nailed another 3-pointer with the shot clock winding down to cap a 10-0 Cougar run with 6:08 to go. It was his first of the season and just the third of his career.
USF would stretch their lead to as many as 15 points before recording a 14-point victory at home.
For the second straight game USF used defense to create offense. They produced 22 points off 15 DSU turnovers. Saturday was also the third time the Cougars outrebounded their opponent this season. USF held a 39-24 advantage, which featured 12 offensive boards.
Luke Lamb and Cameron Krump were the high-scorers for DSU. Lamb finished with 12 points, while Krump had 10.
Holland was perfect (3-of-3) at the line and 4-of-9 from the floor to tie Rader as USF's high-point man. Rader was perfect from the floor. He finished 3-of-3 from the field and did most of his damage at the line, where he finished six for eight. Rader also added six boards.
USF begins conference play Saturday December 1 when they travel to Marshall, Minn. to take on Southwest Minnesota State University.
