SIOUX FALLS – Led by sophomore center Sam Knecht's second double double of the season, the University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball Team rolled to a 67-45 win over Southwest Minnesota State in NSIC action before 803 in attendance at the Stewart Center on Saturday.
Knecht, who had her seventh career double double, recorded 19 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks as she helped the Cougars improve to 9-1 overall and 5-1 (tied for 1st, NSIC South) in NSIC play. SMSU fell to 0-10 and 0-6 in the NSIC.
A year ago, Knecht was named the NSIC Freshman of the Year and through 10 games in 2014-15, she has continued her solid play. Knecht's effort against SMSU was her sixth straight game with double digit points. The sophomore, who hit 9-of-12 shots from the field in 26 minutes of action, enabled USF to build a 44-26 edge in points in the paint. Jaicee Ulmer added 19 points as she hit 7-of-10 field goals, including 3-of-4 from three-point range. Ulmer, whose play enabled USF to put together a 34-28 edge in bench points, had her seventh double digit scoring game of the season.
“We are really pleased with the win,” said USF head women's coach Travis Traphagen, whose squad defeated SMSU for the fourth straight time and all by 10 points or more. “Sam (Knecht) played a solid game on the block. She was a force all night. Jaicee (Ulmer) showed what she can for us with a really nice game, both in drives to the basket and from the perimeter. Anytime you pick up a win in the NSIC it is helps build confidence moving forward,” he said.
For the night, the Cougars, which led 35-17 at halftime, connected on 46.9 percent from the field on 30-of-64 shooting. However, they struggled from the perimeter with just 4-of-19 from three-point range. They were just 3-of-8 from the foul line but had a huge edge on the boards, 49-29, over SMSU. Leading the way for the Mustangs was Ellen Degler with 13 points and eight rebounds. She converted 6-of-7 from the floor for the SMSU, which was just 19-of-61 for 31.1 percent for the game. The Mustangs made 1-of-13 from three-point range and 6-of-14 from the foul line.
Led by Knecht's 11 points, the Cougars took a 35-17 lead at halftime, using runs at the front end and back end to build double digit leads. Teagan Molden, who had eight points, six rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals on the night, scored two early baskets and Knecht added a three-point play as USF build an 11-0 lead in the opening 3:38 of the first half.
SMSU rallied to draw within four at 11-7 after a three-point basket from Annessa Rosch at the 13:59 mark. SMSU stayed closed (14-11, 12:09), until the Cougars put together a 13-4 run for a 27-15 lead with 5:23 to play in the half. Junior guard Marie Malloy scored off an assist from junior guard Taylor Varsho on a fast break as the Cougars took a 31-17 advantage with 3:08 to play.
With seven seconds left on the clock, Knecht broke free inside as USF led 35-17 at the break. On the play, Knecht took a feed from Varsho, who the had just two points on the night but did nearly everything else effectively. She tied Knecht for a game-high 11 rebounds while handing out seven assists and recording one steal with just one turnover.
In the second half, the Cougars quickly build the lead to 20 at 39-19 after a layup from Molden with 18:30 left in the game. The Cougars maintained a 20-point lead for most of the second half with SMSU drawing as close as 18 early in the half. With a basket from Moira Duffy, USF built their biggest lead of the game at 63-36 with 7:07 left in the game. SMSU closed on a 9-4 run over the final seven minutes to leave the final margin at 22 points.
USF is now off for the holiday break with the next game against rival Augustana at 6 p.m. on January 2 at the Stewart Center.
