SIOUX FALLS – Despite a career-high 31 points from Mariah Szymanski, the University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball Team (8-4, 5-3 NSIC) dropped a 76-65 decision to No. 14 Augustana (12-0, 8-0 NSIC) before 1,209 in attendance on New Year's Eve at the Stewart Center.

Szymanski, a sophomore from Pulaski, Wisc., became just the fourth player in USF Women's Basketball history to record 30 points in a game. Her 31 points matched former center and All-American Sam Knecht (Jan. 23, 2016) for the best total in USF's NCAA DII era.
 

For the game, Szymanski made a career-high 11 field goals (18 attempts), including a career-best four treys on seven attempts. She added five free throws while dishing four assists and recording a steal. Sophomore Kaely Hummel supplied 11 points with four rebounds for the Cougars, which shot 36.2 percent from the field on 21-of-58 shooting. Junior forward Jacey Huinker had eight points, eight rebounds and six assists in 40 minutes of action.

Paced by Szymanski's four threes, USF made 7-of-22 for the game. USF, which had a 36-34 rebound edge over the taller Vikings, made 16-of-22 free throws while dishing 14 assists on 21 made baskets.

With a desperation heave that fell for Logan O'Farrell, Augustana took a 22-21 lead after the first quarter. The Vikings outscored USF, 18-6, in the second period, to take a 40-27 advantage at halftime. AU had a 20-19 margin in the third quarter to lead 60-46 before USF had a 19-16 edge in the fourth quarter.

The Vikings, which hit 29-of-58 field goals for 50 percent, were led by L. O'Farrell with 18 points while Naomi Rust provided 14. AU had a solid day shooting from three point land, knocking home 9-of-16 for 56.3 percent.

With 53.6 percent shooting (15-of-28) from the field, AU built a 40-27 advantage at halftime. The Vikings also hit 6-of-10 from three point range and forced USF into 10 turnovers. Naomi Rust had 12 points and L. O'Farrell added 10. USF was led by Szymanski with 13 points, including 5-of-9 from the field. Thramer added six points. The Cougars hit just 11-of-31 from the floor and were just 2-of-9 from three point range. However, USF battled on the boards, holding an 18-16 rebound advantage.

After the Vikings opened up a quick 5-0 lead, USF took off on a 7-0 run, keyed by Szymanski, who scored five points, for a 7-5 lead with 6:35 to play in the quarter.  With 3:09 to play in the quarter, Thramer converted a lay-up for a 15-13 advantage.  Freshman Ashley Hodell knocked in a turnaround jumper with 50 seconds for the lead at 21-19 but the Vikings hit a buzzer beater by L. O'Farrell for a 22-11 advantage after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, USF struggled from the field while Augie heated up, using an 18-6 advantage to build the double digit halftime margin.

With 5:55 to play, the Vikings used a turnover and fast-break opportunity, plus a L. O'Farrell three to build a 31-21 lead.  Szymanski ended AU's run with a drive and conversion at the basket. When Thramer followed with a three, USF cut the lead to 31-26 at the 3:30 mark.  However the Vikings closed on a 9-1 run to create a 40-27 halftime margin.

The Cougars and Vikings traded baskets early in the third quarter as Szymanski had a lay-up to keep  the deficit at 42-29 with nine minutes to play.  After AU extended the lead to 44-29,  Hummel had a pair of free throws as USF trailed, 44-31.  Down by 16, USF put together a 9-0 run to cut the lead to 47-40 as Huinker had four points and Andi Mataloni knocked in a three at the 4:33 mark. The Vikings closed on a 13-6 run to take a 60-46 lead to the fourth quarter.

The Cougars, led by Szymanski drive and score, cut the deficit to 64-56 with six minutes to play. Shortly thereafter, Szymanski hit a three at the 4:55 mark to cut the AU's lead to 68-59. L. O'Farrell helped AU extend the lead to 73-59 with three minutes to play. Both teams hit a three to close the scoring with Szymanski's trey coming with six seconds left as the Cougars fell to the Vikings.

Next for USF will be a pair of road games at Upper Iowa on Jan. 5 and Winona State on Jan. 6.