SIOUX FALLS – Senior center Sam Knecht surpassed 1,000 career points and recorded her fifth double double of the season to lead the University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball Team (7-1, 3-1 NSIC) to a 74-51 win over St. Cloud State (5-3, 3-1 NSIC) in the home NSIC opener at the Stewart Center. In recording its second straight win, the Cougars moved to 5-0 at home.

Knecht scored a season-high 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds while recording a blocked shot and a steal in 26 minutes of action to lead USF to a 7-1 start this season, including 3-1 in the NSIC. Knecht, who surpassed 1,000 points for her career on a pair of free throws on USF's second offensive possession of the game, hit 8-of-13 from the floor and 4-of-5 from the foul line. She had 12 rebounds, including nine defensive boards to lead a stellar defensive effort by USF.

With the victory, USF head coach Travis Traphagen recorded his 50th career NSIC win (50-42).

Joining Knecht in double figures was senior point guard Madi Robson, who had 12 points, five assists and five rebounds. Robson reached double figures for the fourth time this season. Brooke Smith added 12 points and four rebounds in 15 minutes of work.

Key to USF's success was its defense, which held the league's top scoring team (80.9 ppg) to just 51 points. The Cougars had 10 steals and limited SCSU to 25.4 percent shooting from the floor (17-of-67). In addition, SCSU struggled from three-point range, hitting just 7-of-25 for 28 percent. The Cougars also had a 47-45 rebound edge led by Knecht and Jacey Huinker, who had 10 rebounds to go with six points, three steals and two assists.

Overall, USF hit 26-of-68 from the field, including 4-of-20 from three-point lead. USF made a season best 18-of-24 from the foul line.

In the first quarter, USF jumped to a 6-0 lead at the 8:40 mark after Robson knocked in a layup, Knecht hit a pair of free throws and Hummel converted on a drive. After a steal and layup from Alyson Johnsen and a layup from Knecht, Robson dropped in two free throws for a 19-9 lead with 3:10 to play in the quarter. SCSU cut the lead to 19-14 but freshman Mariah Syzmanski, who had nine points on the night, knocked home a three-pointer and a free throw for a 23-14 lead with 39 seconds to play in the quarter. At the quarter, USF led, 23-17 with Hummel's seven points leading the way. In the first quarter, USF was 8-of-17 for 47.1 percent, including 2-of-3 from three point range. USF held an 18-16 rebound edge.

In the second quarter, after a Syzmanski three-point play, Knecht scored inside at the 8:54 mark, to give USF a 28-17 lead. SCSU rebounded to cut lead to 28-23 but Robson had five straight points, including a three, for a 33-25 lead with 2:57 to play. Shortly thereafter, Smith converted two free throws and a basket off a feed from Robson with 18 seconds to play for a 39-29 lead at halftime. At the break, USF was 14-of-36 from the field for 38.9 percent and 3-of-11 from three-point range. SCSU was 11-of-35 for 31.4 percent, including 4-of-11 from three point range. USF was led by Robson's nine points and five assists while Knecht had eight points and seven rebounds. MacDonald had nine points for SCSU.

Knecht opened the third quarter with five straight points, including a spot up jumper from foul line, and a layup, to give USF a 44-29 lead with 8:37 to play in the third quarter. Later, SCSU'd Chelsea Nooker, who led the Huskies with 13 points, hit a three to draw the Huskies within 46-37 with five minutes to play. Smith had the answer for USF with two free throws and a drive to the basket as the Cougars took a 50-37 lead with 3:03 to go in the quarter.  At the break, USF led, 52-42.

Knecht dominated inside to open the fourth quarter as she scored seven straight points with her layup with 6:59 to play building a 59-44 lead. SCSU cut the lead to 61-49 with 3:55 left but the Cougars answered, holding SCSU without a field goal over the final four minutes while ripping off a game-closing 13-2 run to record the home win.

Next up for the Cougars will be a home game against Minnesota Duluth at 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon at the Stewart Center.