SIOUX FALLS -- South Seed #5 University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (17-12) will meet city rival South Seed #1 Augustana (25-2) in the NSIC /Sanford Health Men's Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals at 5:30 p.m., on Saturday at the Sanford Pentagon.

Series Notes

The game will be the 64th match up between USF and Augustana with the Vikings holding a 34-27-2 record. Augustana has won both games this year, 88-61 at the SF Arena and 79-71 at the Stewart Center (See Page 3 for full series rundown).

Cougars defeat UMD to advance to quarterfinals - 1st win in NSIC Tourney

USF, led by Mack Johnson's 28 points and a double double by Jordan Stotts (17 points and 10 rebounds) defeated Minnesota-Duluth, 80-74, on Wednesday at Romano Gym in Duluth, Minn. The Cougars, trailed 34-29 at halftime but had a 31-14 run in the second half to build a 12-point league before holding off a late UMD rally to collect the victory. USF won its first-ever NSIC playoff game and was the only road team to win on Wednesday. The Vikings rolled to a 91-57 decision over Minnesota Crookston at the Sioux Falls Arena. It was Augustana's sixth straight win since a 90-81 loss at Northern State. The USF/Augustana winner will play the victor of Northern State/Winona State at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 29.

How USF has fared in NSIC Tourney --

Northern State 73 USF 62, Bob Wachs Arena, Aberdeen, S.D., Feb. 25, 2015.

Game Notes: USF, which hit 7-of-12 from 3 point range, was led by Charles Ward with 17 points and three treys. Jordan Stotts had a double double with 14 points and 10 rebounds and Mack Johnson added 13 points. Tyler Storruston had 19 to lead NSU, which made 8-of-16 from distance.

St. Cloud State 86 Sioux Falls 75, Halenbeck Hall, St. Cloud State, Feb. 26, 2014

Game Notes: The Cougars lost a high-scoring affair with SCSU, falling 86-75 as the Huskies hit 53.4 percent from the field. USF was led by Ward with 17 while Mahlon Jones and Mack Johnson added 13. MJ was 3-of-4 on 3's.

Northern State 63 Sioux Falls, 60, Bob Wachs Arena, Aberdeen, S.D., Feb. 27, 2013

Game Notes: Despite 23 from Robert Goffney, USF fell to NSU, which had 21 from Collin Pryor. The Cougars, which outrebounded the Wolves, 37-31, were hurt by 15 turnovers. NSU had just eight.

USF 80 UMD 84, Romano Gym, Duluth, Minn., Feb. 24, 2016

Game Notes: Mack Johnson had 28 and Jordan Stotts added 17 points and 10 rebounds as USF defeated UMD, 80-74. Stotts had a double double for a second straight year in the NSIC first round. A year ago in a 73-62 loss to NSU, Stotts had 14 points an 10 rebounds. Pierre Newton scored 32 points to lead UMD, which ended their season at 15-14.

Paw Tracks

~ USF has reached 17 wins in a season for the first time in the NCAA DII era.

~ The Cougars, seeded #5, were the only NSIC road team to win in the opening round of the 2015-16 NSIC Tournament.

~ For the first time, USF won a first round game in the NSIC with the 80-74 win over Minnesota-Duluth on Wednesday.

~ In the NSIC, USF ranks 2nd in scoring defense (71.5), sixth in field goal percentage (.470), third in field goal percentage defense (.430), fourth in steals (6.1) and scoring margin (5.8) , fourth in three-point percentage (.388), second in three-point shooting percentage defense (.330) and first in blocked shots (4.0).

~ The 110 points by USF vs. CSP is the most points scored by USF since a 115-79 win over Grand View on Nov. 22, 2013.

~ USF head men''s coach Chris Johnson recorded his 150th win (now at 155) in a 83-78 win over Winona State on Jan. 8 at the Stewart Center.

 Broadcast scoop

Live stats are available at usfcougars.com with each webcast through the NSIC's partnership with Stretch Internet. All USF league and home nonconference games are available for live streaming at portal.stretchinternet.com/siouxfalls. For this NSIC Tourney game, Veteran broadcaster Tom Frderick will handle play by play on KWSN.com.

One year later -- Cougars showing major improvement

What difference a year makes. A year ago, USF finished 8-21 overall and 5-15 in league play. In 2015-16, they are 17-12 and 11-11 with seven wins in 11 games. Heading into the second round of the NSIC Tourney as the #5 seed, USF has twice as many overall wins as a year ago and doubled its league victories. USF's numbers are substantially better than all off a year ago. USF had a total of 1,933 points a year ago in 29 games and this year stand at 2,242 in 29 games or 309 more . USF has gone from 66.7 ppg in 2014-15 to 77.3 ppg while allowing 2.4 ppg fewer than a year ago (71.4 to 73.9 ppg). Combine the offense and defensive scoring and the difference is 12.8 points per game improvement. Also USF's shooting is up markedly at .470 from .440 or 30 percentage points. USF is hitting 3's at a higher clip (.388 from .327) and have 94 more made 3's (256-to-162) than a year ago One telling figure is assists where USF is up 3.8 per game at 14.5 per game opposed to 10.7 a year ago. In addition, USF is averaging 2.5 fewer turnovers while recording nearly a steal a game (.8) more than last year.

heads into postseason with 17 wins, most in DII era

Despite the losses last weekend, USF heads into the postseason with 17 wins, which is the most at the DII era. In addition, USF recorded 11 conference victories, more than double a year ago and the second best total while an NSIC member (2011).

Player Notes

Mack Johnson becomes 1st Cougar player named 1st team All-NSIC

Mack Johnson of the University of Sioux Falls men's basketball team, who ranks sixth in the nation in free throw shooting, was named to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate All-Conference. First Team. Johnson becomes the first USF men's basketball player named to the All-NSIC first team and the second consecutive (Charles Ward, 2nd team) Cougars' player selected all-league. Johnson had 28 points, including six straight free throws in the final minute, as the Cougars advanced to the NSIC Men's Basketball Quarterfinals with a 80-74 win on the road at Minnesota-Duluth on Wednesday night. Johnson, who is an exercise science major, leads the NSIC in free throw shooting (93-of-103). In league play, he is averaging 18.2 ppg and has hit 70-of-76 free throws for 92.1 percent. He has also hit 71 three-pointers for 2.4 a game, which is third in the league. In addition, Johnson has been a key player for USF down the stretch with 20 points or more seven times in the past nine games when USF has gone 6-3. With 510 points this season, Johnson has the most points in a season by a USF player in DII history. In addition, he has 1,179 career points, which places him 18th on USF's all-time scoring chart. Johnson has hit double digits in 26-of-29 games this season, which gives him 56 for his career. During his career, he as three career 30-point games (30, 35, 39) and 16, 20-point outings, including nine times in 2015-16. Twenty-three times, he has led USF in scoring during his two plus seasons as a starter. He also ranks fourth all-time at USF in made three-pointers with 181 on 459 attempts for 39.4%. This year, he has 12 games with at least three, three-point field goals and 18 with two or more. Johnson has had 76 games with at least one three and 44 games of two or more treys. In addition, he has 26 games or three or more three-pointers, including a career-best 7 three times (Concordia St. Paul on Feb. 7, 2014 ; vs. Minnesota-Duluth on Jan. 29, 2016; and Minnesota State on Feb. 19) Also he has nine games with at least five three pointers. On Dec. 4-5, Johnson totaled 67 points, including a career-best 39 points against Upper Iowa, to earn NSIC Player of the Week honors. Johnson received the NSIC honor for the first time after putting together his best two-game total in his career. With 39 points, Johnson scored the most points by a Cougars' player since Stacy Kooistra had 41 against Colorado Christian in the 1992-93 season.

USF Career 3 Point Field Goals

1. 193 Ryan Coapstick (2001-03)

2. 193 Derek Brown (2010-14)

3. 186 Chad Bendt (1991-95)

4. 181 Mack Johnson (2013-)

5. 167 Adam Burnison (2000-03)

6. 163 Billy Eichman (1987-91)

7. 151 Matt Correa (1993-97)

8. 145 Joel Mulder (1990-940

9. 143 Jesse Huser (2006-08)

10. 127 Lance Winter (1991-93)

USF All-time Leading Scorers

1. Gayle Hoover (1954-58) 2,169

2. Ron Krayl (1964-68) 2,029

3. Tony Overbaugh (1987-91) 1,809

4. Matt Malloy (2007-11) 1,698

5. Todd Kelsey (1977-81) 1,696

6. Chris Frick (1984-87) 1,642

7. Herb Buckner (1966-70) 1,633

8. Luther Hippe (1983-87) 1,589

9. Tim Dykstra (1971-75) 1,524

10. Joel Running (1985-88) 1,323

11. Dylan Kvaale (2003-07) 1,307

12. Adam Burnison (2000-03) 1,290

13. Roy Deboer (1951-55) 1,282

14. Paul Johnson (1989-93) 1,270

15. Roger Heibult (1964-68) 1,260

16. Stacy Kooistra (1992-94) 1,247

17. Joel Mulder (1990-94) 1,240

18. Mack Johnson (2013-) 1,179

19. Brad Ferrie (1982-86) 1,176

20. Bob Pickert (1961-65) 1,173

Stotts is lone senior and has 43 career double digit games

Senior Jordan Stotts, who is averaging 10.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, is the son of Kelley and Steve Stotts of Waukee, Iowa. A sports management major, he has made 59 career starts in 97 games. Stotts has recorded a season-best 17 points twice, registering 17 points and 10 rebounds in the NSIC Tourney first round playoff win over Minnesota-Duluth on Wednesday, Feb. 24. He also had 17 in the 66-65 win over Minot State on Friday, Dec. 11. For his career, he has 43 double digit scoring games in his career with 17 this season. Stotts had a career-best 34 points at Upper Iowa on 12/14/13, when he also set a career-high with four three-pointers. He recorded a season best 11 rebounds vs. MSUM, 1/16/15. With 249 points in 2015-16, he has 797 career points, as well as 394 rebounds, 73 assists, 64 steals and 33 blocks. Eight times in his career, Stotts has at least two blocks. Also of note, Stotts had a career-best four dunks in the win over SCSU. Stotts became the first USF player with a double double this year with 17 points and 10 rebounds against UMD. He also had a team high 10 boards in the victory.

Hurtt has 18 games in double digits; 3 20-point games

Junior forward Daniel Hurtt has been a solid force inside for the Cougars with 11.6 ppg (313 points) and 4.1 rpg adding 15 blocks and 14 steals. Hurtt, who had a career high 28 points against Dakota Wesleyan on Dec. 15 at the Stewart Center, has scored in double digits 18 times, including three games of 20 points or more (28, 25, 20). He is solid from the field, making 49.1 percent on 130-of-265 shooting. Hurtt is also effective from 3-point range at 40.4 percent (19-of-47).

Thomas has 54 3s and one in 28 games

Junior guard Clint Thomas has provided USF with a spark, mostly off the bench but has started 12 games.. Through 29 games, Thomas is averaging 9.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Thomas has hit 55 three-point field goals on 134 attempts for a 41,0 percent make rate. In addition, he has made 45-of-55 for 81.8 percent from the foul line. Twice this season, Thomas has made seven three-pointers in a game twice becoming the only USF player in the last 20 years to accomplish that shooting feat. He has knocked down four or more 3's five times, including in three of the past six games. This season, he has made at least two 3's12 times. He has made a trey in 23 games this year.

Aase increases total to 96 career blocks

In his second year at USF, sophomore forward Tom Aase is the Cougars' leading shot blocker, totaling 56 in 2015-16, with his 1.9 bpg ranking second in the league. Aase (3.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg) is shooting 53.2 percent from the floor (41-of-77) and 67.5 percent (27-of-40) from the foul line. In 55 games at USF, he has made 27 starts, including 10 this season, and has accumulated 96 blocked shots. He set a career-high with five blocks against nationally ranked Augustana on Jan. 3 and matched it against Wayne State on Feb. 12, 2016. He has had 45 games with a block shot, including 26 games this year. Aase has had at least one block in 21 straight games. In his career, he has 16 games with three or more blocks and 28 games with at least two blocks. This season, he has 10 games with at least three blocks and 15 games with two or more swipes. A year ago, he had 40 blocks and has already surpassed that total with 56 this year.

Kebu Johnson ranks 6th in assists

In his first year as the starting point guard, Kebu Johnson is having a solid year for the Cougars with 5.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists., through ranks sixth in the NSIC and his 132 total is a career high and ranks sixth in USF's best single season marks in the past 20 years. With his career best 11 assists vs. Minnesota-Crookston on Feb. 5, 2016, Johnson recorded the most assists since Ryan Coapsick had 12 vs. Black Hills State on Nov. 30, 2002. Jermaine Byrd also had 11 vs. Northwestern College on Feb. 21, 2004 but regardless, Johnson's total is the best in at least 14 years. Johnson has scored a career-high 16 (Wayne State, 2/12/16). Six times, he has recorded seven or more assists in a game (vs. Fort Hays State, 11/15/15, 7; Concordia, St. Paul, 1/22/16, 7; Minnesota State, 1/23/16, 7; and SCSU, 1/30/16, 7; Minnesota-Crookston, 2/5/16, 11 and Minnesota State, 2/19/16, 7). Eighteen times this season, Johnson has at least four assists and 14 times has had at least five assists. In his career, he has six double digit scoring games with five this season. He has a career-high 12 rebounds against Augustana on Jan. 2, 2015. Five times in his career, he has recorded seven or more rebounds, including four this year.

Top Assists Seasons since 1990

1 195 Lance Winter 1992-93

2 166 Eli Hofer 2001-02

3 158 Kevin Flegner 1993-94

4 155 Eli Hofer 2002-03

5 141 Eli Hofer 2000-01

6 132 Kebu Johnson 2013-

7 126 Jermaine Byrd 2004-05

8 121 Kevin Flegner 1994-95

9 120 Lance Winter 1991-92

10 119 Steve Esselink 2003-04

Guebert making impact as a freshman

Through 29 games, freshman guard/forward Drew Guebert continues to make his presence known. He is averaging 10.2 points and 3.2 rebounds. This season, he has 13 double digit games, including 11 in past 13 games. He established a career high with 28 points against Concordia, St. Paul on Jan. 22, 2016. The Apple Valley, Minn., native made a career best 8-of-10 from the floor and a career-best 5-of-6 from three-point range while knocking down 7-of-7 from the foul line, also a career-best. Guebert, who has 16 blocks and 297 total points has hit 55-of-134 from three point range for 41.0 percent. He set a career/season high with nine rebounds vs. Upper Iowa on Jan. 9. He has three or more 3-pointers eight times and at least two 3's in a game 17 times, including four straight outings. He has four or more 3's four times in the last 10 games. Guebert has scored 20 points or more three times.

USF tied NSIC record with 20 3's against CSP

The Cougars put on a memorable shooting exhibition Jan. 22 at the Stewart Center in a 110-90 decision over Concordia, St. Paul. In the win, USF set a school record and tied the NSIC mark (Bemidji State, 2002-03 vs. Concordia, St. ) with 20 3-point field goals. USF hit 20-of-34 from 3-point range and was 35-of-57 (61.4 percent) from the field. In the win, Clint Thomas made 7-of-11 three's which matched his career-best performance set earlier this year vs. Waldorf. While Thomas poured in a career-high 22 points, his performance was overshadowed by freshman guard Drew Guebert, who had a career-high 28 points, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range, and six rebounds with two blocks. Breaking down USF's total, six different players hit 3-pointers, including Clint Thomas, who was 7-of-11 while Drew Guebert hit 5-of-6, Mack Johnson, 4-of-6, and Jared Mayes, 2-of-3. Cutler Finneman (1-of-2) and Aaron Rothermund (1-of-1) also joined the 3-point party. USF was 9-of-18 in the first half and 11-of-16 in the second stanza.

OPPONENT NOTES

Augustana Notes

Augustana comes into the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament with a 25-2 record and six straight wins. The Vikings are ranked #2 nationally and won the regular season titles with a 21-1 record. Northern State defeated Augustana, 90-81, on Feb. 5 in Aberdeen. The Vikings are led by two-time NSIC Player of the Year Dan Jansen, who ranks third in the league with 20.2 points per game and is fourth in rebounding at 7.7 boards per game. Casey Schilling, another senior forward, was named the NSIC Defensive Player of the Year. Casey averaged 19.0 points (6th, NSIC) with a league-best 9.7 rebounds per game. At point guard, all-league honoree Jordan Spencer leads the NSIC in assists at 6.9 per game while averaging 8.7 ppg and 3.7 rebounds. Augustana is among the leaders in various team categories, including scoring in which they have averaged 91.3 ppg. They are second in scoring defense at 71.5 ppg which gives them a league-best 19.9 scoring margin. The Vikings have a league-best 42.8 percent and have 295 made 3's which ranks only MSUM, which has 320 treys. Augustana is led by veteran head coach Tom Billiter.