SIOUX FALLS – Despite placing four players in double digits, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team's (15-17) season ended in a 79-68 loss to South Division #1 seed Southwest Minnesota State (24-5) in the quarterfinals of the NSIC Sanford Health Tournament at the Sanford Pentagon before 2,651 in attendance.

It was the second straight year that USF won a first-round game in the tournament only to be felled by a #1 seed in the quarterfinals. The Cougars finished the season 15-17 with its third loss to SMSU this season. The Cougars had lost 74-72 and 87-86 earlier in the season.  

"We had a tough shooting night and couldn't get a lot going tonight," said USF head coach Chris Johnson, the school's all-time wins leader. "We made a great run at them late but just couldn't get some shots to fall," he said.

"Most of all, it was tough saying goodbye to this group of seniors, who have given so much to this program and meant so much to me and my staff. They will be missed," noted Johnson.

The group of seniors include Mack Johnson, Clint Thomas, Daniel Hurtt, Kebu Johnson, Tyler Thielges and Cutler Finneman.

M. Johnson concluded his career with 16 points, a game-high six assists, blocked shot and a steal in 38 minutes of action. With his point total, Johnson finished sixth all-time in career scoring at USF with 1,650 points, including a school mark of 232 three points.  Against SMSU, he hit two three-pointers as he finished his career with a three-point field goal in 102 games and 57 times had two or more threes.

Sophomore Drew Guebert led the Cougars with 19 points as he made 8-of-17 from the field, including 4-of-8 from three point range. He finished the season with 78 triples, which ranks third all-time at USF. He also has 137 career three pointers, 10th all-time at the school. 

Hurtt contributed 11 points, four rebounds and two steals. He finished career with USF at 721 points. K. Johnson, who had six points, game-high 11 rebounds and three assists, finished with 397 points, 255 assists and 351 rebounds. Thomas, who saw limited action in the final three games of the season due to injury, finished his career with 571 points and 127 three pointers, 11th all-time at USF.

In addition, junior guard Zach Wessels had 10 points, nine rebounds and four assists while his former high school teammate (Austin, Minn.), Tom Aase had six points, four rebounds and three blocked shots. Aase now has 133 rejections in his career, which is the best total in USF's DII era.

One of USF's biggest problems against SMSU was shooting as the Cougars made just 24-of-65 shots for 36.9 percent, including 8-of-23 triples for 34.8 percent. USF, which had just nine turnovers and seven blocks, was 12-of-15 from the foul stripe. Both teams had 36 rebounds, although the Cougars had 13 offensive boards.

SMSU, which jumped to a 13-point first half lead (38-25), his 15-of-23 shots to open the game and finished at 50.9 percent on 27-of-53 shooting. SMSU, which was just 4-of-14 from three point range, had a big edge on the line, making 21-of-28. All-league guard Ryan Bruggeman had a career high 34 points as he made 10-of-15 shots from the field.

USF started fast as Wessels converted "and 1" for a 3-0 lead just 20 seconds into the game. After Guebert and Hurtt knocked home triples, the Cougars led 9-5 (16:39).

From that point, the Mustangs gained control, using a 23-to-12 run to grab a 28-21 advantage with 8:45 to play on a jumper by KJ Davis.  Bruggeman's lay-up and three from Joey Bartlett pushed the advantage to 36-23 (5:54). Late in the half, the Cougars were able to get back into the game with an 8-0 run, including a lay-up from Guebert with 32 seconds to play. Aase, who had three blocks in the half, denied Bartlett at the rim with two seconds to play.

The Cougars extended their run to 10-0 early in the second half when M. Johnson converted a lay-up as the Cougars pulled within, 38-35.  Led by Bruggeman, SMSU answered as they took off on a 10-0 run to regain control and a 48-35 advantage with 16:03 to play.  A three from Hurtt cut SMSU's edge to 53-44 with 11:53 to play.

While the Cougars mounted several charges at SMSU, they couldn't sustain the runs and momentum. A lay-up by Turner Moen gave SMSU a 67-53 lead with 4:03 to go. The Cougars had one last charge left. A dunk was followed by a three-point play as the Cougars drew within 73-66 with 1:15 to play. After a defensive stop, M. Johnson long three rimmed out and with it, USF's hopes to extend the season.