SIOUX FALLS – Led by career-best performances from Kaely Hummel, Jasmine Harris and Moira Duffy, the University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball Team (3-1, 1-0 NSIC) successfully opened the NSIC season with a 76-58 victory over Southwest Minnesota State (1-3, 0-1 NSIC) before 885 in attendance at the Stewart Center.

Hummel had 24 points to lead the way on offense for USF, which defeated SMSU for the ninth straight time. Freshman guard Jasmine Harris had a career-high 17 points while senior Moira Duffy had 14 rebounds to set a career-best.

"For a young team, I felt like we stay together and composed throughout the game," said USF head women's basketball coach Travis Traphagen. "Kaely (Hummel), Jasmine (Harris) and Moira (Duffy) had exceptional games with career highs. I thought we had a really nice game for the first time this group has been together for an NSIC game," he said.

Paced by eight points from Hummel, USF jumped to an 18-14 lead after one quarter and extended the advantage to 37-27 at halftime. USF outscored SMSU, 21-13, in the third quarter and both teams had 18 points in the fourth quarter for the final advantage.

Hummel, who made 8-of-17 field goals, knocked down 4-of-7 from three point range for 24 points in 36 minutes. She bettered her career high of 22 points against Augustana on Dec. 31, 2016. Harris, who made 6-of-14 field goals and 5-of-7 free throws, had 17 points, to better her previous best of 10 points against Presentation on Nov. 14, 2017.  As for Duffy, she had a career-best in rebounds for the second straight game. Against SMSU, Duffy pulled down 14, bettering her 11 against the Colorado School of Mines on Nov. 18, 2017. She also recorded three blocked shots.

For the game, USF made 38.6 percent on 27-70 shooting. But the Cougars' outside game was connecting on the night by making 10-of-22 from three-point range for 45.5 percent. For the second time this year, the Cougars had double digits in treys. USF, which won the rebound battle, 41-to-40, also asserted strong defense and committed just six turnovers. Paced by nine steals, including three by Duffy, the Cougars forced the Mustangs into 18 turnovers.

SMSU was led in scoring Meleah Reinhart with 16 points, including two treys. Caleigh Rodning had a double double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Game Breakdown --

Hummel helped the Cougars rush out to a 9-4 lead (4:47) with a three pointer and jumper.  Augusta Thramer, who had five points, six assists and four rebounds, converted two free throws after being fouled on drive to basket as the Cougars took an 11-4 lead ( 4:04, 1st Q). A basket inside by Ashley Hodell pushed USF's advantage to 18-11 with 23 seconds left in the quarter. However, SMSU received a three from Sarah Buysse with two seconds left to cut the lead to 18-14 at the quarter break.

Early in the second quarter, Lauren Sanders, who reached double digits with 10 points, hit a three (6:50) followed by Duffy's short hook in the lane as Cougars pushed the lead to eight points (26-18). Shortly thereafter (5:22), Mariah Syzmanski knocked down a three for a 29-18 lead. Harris had a driving layup (4:52) and a pair of free throws (4:05) as Cougars took a 33-18 advantage. MSU finished the half on a 9-4 run to trail, 37-27 at halftime.

At the break, USF led but hit just 13-of-37 from the field for 35.1 percent, including 5-of-14 from three point range for 35.7 percent. USF, which was outrebounded, 25-20, was led by Hummel's nine points while Harris had six points. USF outscored, SMSU, 18-14, in the first quarter and 19-13 in the second quarter for the 37-27 halftime edge.

Right out of the halftime break, Harris, who had three assists, connected with a wide open Andi Mataloni (nine points), who drained a three-pointer for a 40-27 advantage (9:22). It was the start of a 20-10 run to open the second half. Five straight points by Hummel, including a trey from the left side, helped USF increase the lead to 52-37 lead with 4:17 to play. Then, Harris converted a three-point play and had an offensive rebound for the 57-37 lead at the 3:03 mark. While the Cougars only scored one point rest of the quarter, they took a 58-40 lead into the fourth quarter.

When SMSU started to make a run midway through the quarter, Harris stepped up. With a drive and basket plus and 1, she pushed USF's lead to 70-53 with 3:50 to play.  A lay-up by Hummel sealed the deal, giving USF a 19-point lead (73-54) and just two minutes to play.

Next for USF will be an NSIC home doubleheader next weekend at the Stewart Center. USF will face Winona State at 6 p.m. on Dec. 1 and then host Upper Iowa at 4 p.m. on Dec. 2.