SIOUX FALLS – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball Team (18-5, 14-5) placed three players in double digits but dropped a heart-breaking 74-72 overtime decision to rival Augustana (19-7, 14-5 NSIC) before 1,654 in attendance at the Stewart Center on Friday night.

With the setback, the Cougars, which received votes in the most recent WBCA DII Poll, dropped to 18-5 overall and 14-5 in NSIC play. With the loss, USF is tied with Augustana for second in the NSIC South at 14-5.

Senior center Sam Knecht had a monster game for the Cougars with 18 points and a career-high 19 rebounds as she compiled her 22nd double double of her career and ninth this season. Knecht, who now has had two games with at least 18 points and 18 rebounds, added two steals and a block in 31 minutes of play.

Also reaching double digits for USF was senior Madi Robson, who battled foul issues, to put up 16 points with five rebounds and five assists. In addition, Brooke Smith added 17 points off the bench. Smith, who's running three-point attempt at the end of overtime rimmed out, made 6-of-10 field goals while recording three steals and three rebounds.
USF opened up an 18-14 lead after the first quarter and maintained a 32-30 lead at halftime. Augustana and USF both scored 16 points in the third quarter as the Cougars maintained a 48-46 advantage at the third quarter break. In the quarter, USF led 42-32 with 6:14 to play before the Vikings closed the quarter on a 14-6 run to draw within two points. In the fourth quarter, the Vikings forced overtime with a 17-15 quarter edge and held an 11-9 margin in overtime for the win.  

Overall, USF hit 41.5 percent from the floor on 27-of-65 shooting but were just 3-of-12 from three point range. The Cougars, which hit just 4-of-12 from the charity stripe in the first half, converted 15-of-26 overall. The Vikings, which won the rebound battle, 53-47, made 22-of-72 field goals for 30.6 percent. They were 5-of-24 from three point range and 25-of-34 from the foul line. Shelby Selland and Sydney Rome each had 17 for the Vikings.

Early on USF took the lead as Knecht converted inside to give USF a 6-4 lead with 5:50 to play in the first quarter. When Smith entered the game, she quickly made a difference, scoring five straight points, including and 1, for a 13-8 lead with 2:32 left in quarter. Then, she closed the quarter with a layup at the buzzer as the Cougars took an 18-14 lead.   .

In the second quarter, Robson had a driving basket and a free throw for a 25-22 lead with 6:25 to play. However, Rome of made back-to-back three pointers as the Vikings took the lead at 28-25 with 4:32 to play in the quarter. Knecht answered with a basket inside and a free throw to tie the game at 28 with 3:59 to go.  Smith broke a tie with 27 seconds left on a driving lay-up as the Cougars took a 32-30 lead to the halftime break.

Missed opportunities at the free throw line hurt the Cougars, who made just 4-of-12 from the foul line. However USF was solid from the field, hitting 14-of-29 from the field for 48.3 percent. Meanwhile Augustana did the opposite as they made 6-of-6 from the foul line but were 10-of-32 from the field for 31.3 percent. Rome led the Vikings with 13 points, including 3-of-3 from three point range. USF had a big half from Smith, who had 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Knecht added seven points and seven rebounds.

Early in the third quarter, Knecht had back-to-back baskets, including and 1, followed by a three from Johnsen as USF took a 40-32 lead with 7:40 to play.  At the 6:15 mark, Knecht was fouled inside and converted a pair of free throws for a 42-32 advantage.  After Robson picked up her fourth foul, the Vikings used an 8-0 run to cut the lead to 42-40 with 2:30 to play.  Smith (1:27) makes four straight free throws after being fouled on drives to basket for a 46-40 edge with 32 seconds to play in third quarter. In the final half minute, the Vikings outscored USF, 6-2, to draw within 48-46 at the break.

After the Vikings tied the game early in the fourth quarter, Robson knocked in a pair of free throws as the Cougars led, 50-48, with 8:09 to go. Robson then fed Knecht for a basket and had a driving lay-up for a 54-48 lead with 6:40 on the clock. AU answered with an 8-2 run to tie the game on a basket by Selland (4:43). Andi Mataloni came up with a big three pointer with four minutes to go for a 59-56 advantage.

The Vikings rallied to take a 60-59 lead after a Selland basket with 2:26 to play. But in a back-and-forth game, Smith answered for USF with a driving basket. After the Vikings tied the game, Robson knocked down a jumper for a 63-61 lead with 1:32 to play. But once again Selland had the answer to tie the game (1:16). In the final 76 seconds both teams had a shot to take the lead but the defenses had the upper hand.

In overtime, the Vikings built a 68-65 lead over USF on Selland free throw.  But USF responded at the 2:37 mark when Robson converted a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 68-67.  Down three, Mariah Szymanski picked up a loose ball and drop in a lay-up to cut the lead to 73-72 with 21 seconds to play.  However Logan O'Farrell made 1-of-2 free throws with 16 seconds to play and USF was unable to answer in falling to the Vikings.

Next for the Cougars will be a matchup against Wayne State on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.