SIOUX FALLS – Led by a career-high 18 points from Alyson Johnsen and a double double from Taylor Varsho, the University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball Team rallied from 11 points down to take a 69-67 win over U-Mary at the Stewart Center.

With the victory, USF moved to 10-1 on the season and 4-1 in the league, good for second in the NSIC South. In addition, USF defeated Mary for the 1st time in the D2 era. USF, which is receiving votes in both the USA Today Coaches Poll and the D2SIDA Media Poll, erased an 11-point deficit to pick up the win as they moved to 7-0 at home, including 3-0 in league play.

“We had to grind out a win tonight against a tough opponent,” noted USF head women's basketball coach Travis Traphagen. “We just didn't have the shooting touch tonight but still found a way to win.”

Overall, the Cougars hit 21-of-60 shots from the field for 35 percent and were just 9-of-35 from three point range and 18-of-25 from the foul line.

However, the team battled throughout with Varsho picked up her double of 17 points and 10 rebounds while also dishing five assists. Senior forward Teagan Molden chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds while Sam Knecht had six points and 11 rebounds.

Mary was led by 22 points, five rebounds and five assists from the league's leading scorer Brittney Dietz. The Marauders, which won the rebound battle, 43-40, were 24-of-59 from the field, including just 6-of-22 from three-point range. They hit 13-of-20 from the foul line.

In a back and forth first half, USF had troubles shooting from the field, hitting just 12-of-30 for 40 percent. The Cougars made just 3-of-16 from the three-point range but connected on 9-of-13 free throws. USF was led by Johnsen with 12 points as she hit 5-of-7 from the floor and 2-of-4 from three-point range. Mary was led by Brittney Dietz with 17 points, including 6-of-14 from the floor. Overall the Marauders made 14-of-34 field goals for 41.2 percent, including 4-of-14 from three-point range. They were 5-of-6 from the charity stripe. The big difference in the half was Mary's advantage inside where they held an 18-12 edge although the Cougars led in fast-break points, 9-2 and bench points, 12-0.

Early on the Cougars took a lead but Mary rallied for a 12-11 lead with 2:05 to play in the first quarter. But four points from Lexi Lee enabled the Cougars to take a 15-12 lead with 32 seconds left and a 15-14 first quarter lead. However, Mary rallied to take a 21-20 lead at the 7:25 mark of the second quarter after a three-pointer from Dani Clarke. After Johnsen gave USF a 25-21 lead (6:47), the Marauders had a 9-0 run to take a 30-25 lead with 4:48 left on a three-pointer from Hannah Larsson. As would be the trend on this night, the Cougars came back as Johnsen's three tied the game at 32-32 with 3:10 to play. Later, Sam Knecht had a pair of free throws for a 36-35 lead (:46, 2nd) but Mary's Dietz scored with just three ticks on the clock for a 37-36 halftime edge.

Things continued Mary's way as they opened the second half on an 11-1 run for a 48-37 lead at the 5:18 mark. But the Cougars took a time out and found some traction. First, Madi Robson hit a three and Alison Klostergaard scored inside to cut margin to 48-44 with three minutes to play. At the 1:10 mark, Varsho hit a three to pull USF within 50-47. Then, Molden capped a 13-2 run with a three-pointer for a 50-50 tie with 47 seconds left in the third quarter. But once again, the Marauders responded, hitting four free throws, to build a four-point lead (54-50) at the third quarter break.

The fourth quarter wasn't any different than the way the game went all day long. After Johnsen's three gave USF a 58-56 lead at the 7:26 mark of the fourth quarter, Mary came back with five straight points with Dietz's layup with 6:02 left creating a 61-58 advantage. But, Molden had a response as she stepped up for USF with a three at the 4:45 mark for a 61-61 tie.

Once again, Mary took a lead at 64-61 (3:19), but the Cougars responded with free throws from Varsho to cut the lead to one point (64-63, 2:55).

Mary pushed its lead back to four at 67-63 but the Cougars found some magic late. First, Varsho drove inside for two and then Knecht made a pair of free throws to tie the game at 67 with just 1:22 left. After the Cougars stopped Mary, Varsho came through again with 1-2 at the foul line for a 68-67 lead.

On the ensuing possession Varsho had a steal and she was able to convert 1-of-2 free throws with two seconds left. When the second of the foul shots trickled off the rim, Mary was unable to get a shot up and the Cougars had their closest win of the season.

Next up for USF will be a road game against Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, Minn., on Dec. 19.