SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – With 36 points from the bench, including a double double from forward Alison Klostergaard, the University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball Team (10-1, 6-1 NSIC) retained their hold on the top spot in the NSIC South Division with a 77-72 win over city rival Augustana (9-5, 3-4 NSIC) before 1,320 in attendance at the Stewart Center.

Klostergaard, a sophomore from Beresford, S.D., had her first career double double with a career-best 13 points and 11 rebounds. She hit 4-of-6 from the field, 4-of-5 from the foul stripe and her only three-pointer to provide a boost off the bench for the Cougars, which had a 36-20 edge in bench points. One of her biggest plays of the night was grabbing a rebound off a missed free throw with 27 seconds to go. With the possession staying with the Cougars, Augustana was forced to foul Alyson Johnsen, who also prepped at Beresford High School. Johnsen hit a pair of free throws for a 5-point lead. Two foul shots by USF junior guard Taylor Varsho sealed the deal with nine seconds to go.

“This was a game of runs in which we held on against a very scrappy and talented Augustana team,” said USF head women's basketball coach Travis Traphagen, whose team defeated the Vikings for the first time at the Stewart Center. “Alison (Klostergaard) and Jaicee (Ulmer) really gave us a big boost off the bench and had energy all night. We had some great runs to build a lead and did what we had to do down the stretch to get the win,” he said.

Sophomore center Sam Knecht recorded her third double double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds, despite being hindered by foul problems. In addition, junior guard Taylor Varsho had 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in a solid all-around game. Senior Jaicee Ulmer added 18 points off the bench as she hit on 7-of-14 shots from the field, including 4-of-7 from three-point range. Junior forward Teagan Molden also reached double figures with 10 points as USF had five players score in double digits.

As for the Vikings, Nicole Kerkhoff had a double double with 24 points and 14 rebounds and all-league guard Shaunteva Ashley added 17 points.

USF's ability to hit shots was a key difference in the game, The Cougars were 25-of-56 from the field for 44.6 percent, including 6-of-16 from 3-point range for 37.5 percent. Augustana hit 23-of-74 shots for 31.1 percent and 7-of-28 from 3-point range. USF had a slight edge at the foul line by making 21-of-30 charity tosses while Augustana was 19-of-28. While USF held the rebound edge, 48-41, the Cougars had 22 turnovers to just 10 for the Vikings.

Early on, Augustana opened up a 5-0 lead after Kerkhoff made a pair of free throws at the 17:53 mark. The Cougars rallied with a 17-4 run to grab a 17-9 lead with 10:56 to play in the first half. The Vikings answered with an 8-0 run to tie the game at 17-17 with 8:59 to play.

Once again, the home standing Cougars responded and put together a 13-0 run for a 30-17 lead with 5:54 to play after Ulmer had five points in a span of 29 seconds. Back came Augustana as they had a 15-3 run, including three straight three pointers, including two from Sydney Rome, to close the gap to 33-32 with 2:49 left in the half. USF regained control with a half-closing 6-0 run, including a basket from Amber Paden, to end the half with a 39-32 lead. Ulmer led USF with 12 points while Ashley scored 11 for the Vikings.

After Augustana drew within 47-44 with 14:13 to play in the second off, the Cougars took off on their biggest run of the game. USF put together a 19-1 burst to take a 66-45 lead with 9:31 to play. If anyone thought the game was decided, well they would have been wrong. In this highly charged rivalry matchup, Augustana responded in kind.

The Vikings had a 14-0 spurt to cut the lead to 66-59 with 5:47 to play. The visitors would draw even closer. A three-point shot by Alison Koehn with 1:48 to play cut USF's lead to 71-68. Then, Kerkoff scored in the paint to cut the deficit to just 71-70.

However, the Cougars refused to give up the lead. Klostergaard hit a pair of free throws and then had the big offensive board while Johnsen and Varsho knocked down four straight free throws as USF recorded its second straight win over the Vikings.

The Cougars will return to action on Saturday afternoon with a 4 p.m. tilt at the Stewart Center with #15 Wayne State.