SIOUX FALLS – Led by freshman Lauren Sanders with 23 points, a new look University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball Team (1-0) put together a record-setting night from three-point range in an 87-53 nonconference victory over Presentation College in the home season opener on Tuesday at the Stewart Center.
USF, which has put together back-to-back 20-win seasons, has a young roster, which includes only one senior and one junior. On this night, the Cougars continued their winning ways. In recording a victory in their sixth straight home opener, USF received contributions across the board, including several players making their first appearance in a USF uniform.
In her collegiate debut, Sanders, a guard from Millard, Neb., knocked down seven three-pointers as the Cougars made 17 as a team, which set a school DII record. USF knocked in 17-of-45 (37.8%) shots from three point range to break the school mark of 16 against Northern State on Jan. 16, 2016 and Bemidji State on Feb. 1, 2014.
USF Head Women's Basketball Coach
Travis Traphagen, who won his 179th career game at USF, was pleased with the season-opening effort.
"I thought we had a solid offensive night and really cashed in from three-point range early," said Traphagen, whose team reached 90 points for the first time since a 95-54 win over Dakota State on Nov. 17, 2015. "We have some work to do but this was a great start," he said.
Sanders made 8-of-14 shots overall, including a blistering 7-of-9 from three-point range for 23 points. She added four rebounds, and assist, block and steal. In total, four USF players reached double digits, including junior guard Kaely Hummel, who had 12 points, including 4-of-10 from three point range, three rebounds, three assists and a block.
Another freshman, guard Jasmine Harris, had 10 points, five rebounds and five assists in her first game at USF. In addition, Mariah Syzmanki had 11 points, including 3-of-7 from three-point range. Jacey Huinker just missed a double double with nine points and 10 rebounds in 27 minutes of action. Augusta Thramer had a game-high nine assists with eight rebounds.
Overall, USF made 33-of-77 shots for 42.9 percent and hit 7-of-11 foul shots for 63.6 percent. Aside from the three-point shooting, the Cougars, which had made just 11 turnovers, dominated the boards, 55-to-30, including 19-to-6 on the offensive glass.
Presentation was led by Karly Sanchez with 13 points and Sophia Poole with 11. The Saints were 18-of-58 from the floor, including 7-of-24 from three pont range. They made 13 free throws, had five steals and seven assists.
Led by five three-pointers from Sanders, the Cougars opened a 50-24 lead at halftime.USF knocked in 11-of-25 three points for 44 percent, hitting 19-of-42 field goals for 45.2 percent overall in the opening two quarters of play. Sanders was deadly from the perimeter in the half, hitting 6-of-8 field goals, including 5-of-5 from three point range. USF, which had three steals and four assists, outrebounded the Saints, 27-13.
Presentation, which had six points from Poole and Allison Cox, hit 8-of-26 shots from the floor but made just 2-of-9 from distance. They were 6-of-8 from the foul line.
With 7:03 to play in the first quarter, Andie Mataloni knocked in a three and scored seven points as the Cougars took a 10-5 lead. It was the start of an impressive shooting performance early when USF hit 8-of-13 shots from three-point range.
Hummel knocked down back-to-back threes as the Cougars built an 18-5 lead with 4:13 to play in the quarter. Szymanski (3:27) canned a three and Sanders also connected from deep for a 24-5 advantage with 3:05 to play in the quarter. With Hummel's third three, USF took a 32-9 lead over the Saints at the first quarter break.
In the second quarter, Sanders hit back-to-back threes for the second time in the first half as the Cougars extended the lead to 44-22 at the 2:14 mark.
With Huinker's jumper from the left side, a three and fast-break lay-up from Harris, off assist from Huinker, the Cougars built a third quarter edge of 61-29 with 4:47 to play. At the third quarter break, USF led, 74-40, as Sanders made her sixth three in the closing seconds.
The Cougars extended the lead to 40 points (80-40) early in the fourth quarter, when Sanders again found the range from three, making her seventh of the game. USF, which defeated PC for a fourth straight time, continued to knock in points, reaching 90 points with 15 seconds to play on a foul shot from Taylor Volesky.
Next for USF will be a road trip to Denver, Colo., where the Cougars face Metro State on Nov. 17 at 4 p.m. and Colorado School of Mines at 6 p.m. on Nov. 18.
