SIOUX FALLS – Led by the outside artistry of Alyson Johnsen, the University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball Team (13-3, 7-3 NSIC) rebounded from a loss with a dominating performance in a 84-63 victory over Upper Iowa (4-12, 3-7 NSIC) on Saturday at the Stewart Center.
Johnsen, a junior guard from Beresford, S.D., had 17 points and two steals to lead USF, which received votes in the most recent USA Today DII Coaches Poll. She made a career-best five three pointers in six attempts, hitting 6-of-8 from the field overall.
“It was really pleasing to see how the team bounced back after a tough loss. They are resilient group who came out quickly today,” said USF head coach Travis Traphagen, who picked up his 142nd career win. “It was nice to get a home win as we go on a tough road trip."
The Cougars led 20-11 after the first quarter and 47-24 at halftime. In the second half, USF led by as many as 31 before finishing with the 21 point victory. USF held the lead for 38 minutes of the game.
In total, USF had four players reach double figures as Sam Knecht had 14 points, four rebounds and three assists. Senior forward Alison Klostergaard added 13 points and five rebounds with three assists. Junior guard Madi Robson added six points and a team-high six assists while senior guard Taylor Varsho supplied nine points and five assists with three steals. Senior forward Teagan Molden added 10 points and four rebounds.
The Cougars made 27-of-54 from the field for 50 percent, including 9-of-20 from three-point range. USF made 21-of-28 from the foul line while forcing Upper Iowa into 16 turnovers which resulted in a 15-to-7 edge in points off turnovers.
The Peacocks hit 17-of-50 from the floor, including just 5-of-15 from three point range. They made 24-of-of-35 from the foul line for 68.6 percent.
Early on the Cougars jumped ahead of Upper Iowa as a three pointer from Marie Malloy, who had six points and four rebounds, provided the home-standing Cougars with a 12-5 lead with 4:13 to play in the first quarter. Then a foul shot from Malloy with 1:18 left built the lead to 19-9. After Knecht hit 1-of-2 free throws, USF took a 20-11 lead after the first quarter.
Early in the second quarter, USF used baskets from Knecht inside and jumpers from Klostergaard and Varsho to take a 26-11 lead with 8:56 to play. Later Johnsen knocked home a three-pointer for a 39-22 lead with 2:20 to play. In the final minutes of the half, Varsho scored six points with a three, jumper and free throw as USF built its largest lead of the half at 47-24.
In the opening half, USF hit 17-of-30 from the field for 56.7 percent, including 4-of-9 from three-point range. The Cougars also hit 9-of-14 at the foul line for 64.3 percent. USF was led by Klostergaard with 11 points and three rebounds while Varsho had nine points and four assists and Johnsen, eight points.
Defensively the Cougars forced Upper Iowa into 13 turnovers as they had a 15-0 edge in points off turnovers. USF also controlled action inside with a 20-8 margin.
Upper Iowa, led by six points from Carly Pagel, made just 7-of-28 from the field for 25 percent. It was the same percentage from three point distance (2-of-8). The Peacocks, which had a 22-15 rebound edge, hit 8-of-9 foul shots.
Upper Iowa, led by six points from Carly Pagel, made just 7-of-28 from the field for 25 percent. It was the same percentage from three point distance (2-of-8). The Peacocks, which had a 22-15 rebound edge, hit 8-of-9 foul shots.
In the third quarter, USF opened with an 8-2 run, including back-to-back threes from Johnsen, for a 55-26 lead with 7:47 to play. Cougars' tight defense continued in the second half with a rebound by Malloy leading to a Klostergaard basket and 59-29 lead with just 6:34 left to play. The Peacocks responded with a 7-0 run to cut USF's lead to 59-36. But the Cougars worked the ball inside and Molden converted a pair of free throws for a 61-36 lead at the 2:04 mark of the third quarter. The Cougars took a 64-38 lead after three quarters, owning a 17-14 edge in the quarter.
Early in fourth quarter, Knecht hit a jumper and two free throws as Cougars built a 68-40 lead. Then Johnsen went downtown with her career best 5th three of the game for a 71-40 lead with 8:10 to play. Molden converted an offensive board into points and a 74-48 lead with about five minutes to play. From there, the Cougars emptied its bench with their 13th win in tow.
Next for USF will be a road trip to MSU Moorhead on Jan. 15 and Northern State on Jan. 16.
