A junior guard from Chili, Wis., Varsho reached career-highs with 24 points and 12 rebounds as she guided the Cougars (5-0, 1-0 NSIC) to a 50-22 lead at halftime. Varsho was helped by Sam Knecht's return to form as the sophomore forward poured in 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting.

Varsho nearly passed her previous career-best scoring mark in the first half. Connecting on five of her eight three-point attempts in the first, Varsho helped USF build a 50-22 lead at halftime and reached a double-double with 10 rebounds in the opening 20 minutes.

Knecht was a big part of Sioux Falls' first half domination, adding 12 points. The last 5:34 of the first half was all USF as they closed on a 15-1 run with Alison Klostergaard and Haydn Becker capping off the run with layups in the final minute.

Southwest Minnesota State (0-4, 0-1 NSIC) was limited to 25.9 percent shooting in the first half and would finish the game with a 32.7 percent mark, the lowest for a USF competitor this season.

Paige Mriden would come off the bench to hit two 3-pointers in the second half and propel the Cougars to a 45-point lead, their biggest of the game. Mriden and Teagan Molden each finished with eight points as 13 Cougars scored in the game.

Morgan Merritt converted consecutive layups and Moira Duffy's lay-in was sandwiched between Mriden's 3-pointers as the Cougars opened up their biggest lead with 4:27 remaining the in the game.

The Cougars return to action on Dec. 5 and 6 when they host Upper Iowa and Winona State at the Stewart Center.