Despite falling behind by as many as 10 points in the first half, the University of Sioux Falls reaffirmed their consistent shooting at the line to close out a tough 76-64 win over No.1 seed Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D. to advance to the NCAA Transitional Tournament Championship and record their fourth consecutive 20-win season. The win moves USF to 20-8, while the Yellow Jackets fall to 10-17. The Cougars win also marks their fifth straight win in the series to sit just one behind their instate rival at 41-40 all-time.

After a first round bye, BHSU came out energized behind a home crowd, scoring 14 of the game's first 18 points to claim an early 10-point lead.

The home team sustained a double-digit lead through the half-way point of the opening period, but USF found their legs specifically between the 11:00 and 7:00 mark, scoring 11 straight in comparison to two-points by the Yellow Jackets to get back in the game cutting their deficit to one-point following A.J. Holland's free throw make with 6:56 left in the first half.

A couple of minutes later, BHSU went back ahead six-points, however the Cougars closed the half strong to take a one-point advantage by intermission. USF held a 33-32 lead at the half.

Two consecutive jumpers by big men, Skyler Bloch and Bryan Kielpinski helped the Cougars claim a five-point lead early into the second half, but the home-court advantage was extremely prevalent as the Yellow Jackets fought back recapturing the lead five times over the next 12:00 of play with their latest lead coming near the 7:00 mark, following a Brady Bisgaard 3-pointer to give BHSU a 55-54 lead.

James Rader knocked down a big jumper to get USF going on the ensuing possession, as the Cougars would go on a 12-5 run over the next five minutes, which featured to an A.J. Holland 3-pointer and David Maxwell 17-foot jump shot to seal an 8-point lead with 1:33 to go.

USF flexed their free throw muscles, making their final eight attempts to record a 76-64 win at BHSU.

Although it was not quite to the extent of last night, USF saved their best shooting for the second period, where they shot 50%, while holding their opponent to just 38% to outshoot BHSU, 48%-42% in the game.

The Cougars depth was again a factor tonight, as they outscored the Yellow Jackets 23-13.

USF tied their lowest turnover mark with just nine turnovers on the night.

Behind 18 points by the squad's leading scorer Rob Johnson, BHSU had three players in double-figures. Cameron Anderson and Joey Mitchell combined to go 9-17 and score 10 points each for the home team.

Led by Bloch, USF finished with four players with 10 or more points. Bloch posted a team-high 16 points and nine rebounds. Joining him in the frontcourt was Kielpinski, who posted his second consecutive night in double-figures with 10 points.

Derek Brown and Maxwell round out USF's players in double-digits. Brown had another big game, knocking down three 3-pointers and finishing a perfect 4-4 at the line to add 15 points, while Maxwell played a steady game with 8-9 shooting at the stripe to total 12 points. He also added five rebounds.

USF head Coach Chris Johnson expressed his appreciation of his team's efforts tonight, saying "this is a special group. It's tough to not get choked up. This has been a difficult season, but regardless of what happens, our team has more than exceeded my expectations and it isn't the coaching staff or anything else. They simply refuse to let each other down."

The Cougars will play in the Transitional Tournament Championship tomorrow at 4:00p.m.