SIOUX FALLS --- Led by 15 points from Drew Guebert and 14 from Aaron Rothermund and Trevon Evans, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (12-6) close out its nonconference slate with a 90-61 win over Midland (11-10) on Tuesday night on Ron Eiesland Court at the Stewart Center.

With the victory, USF moved to 12-6 on the season and finished 5-1 in nonconference games. USF, which was 32-of-64 from the floor for 50 percent, improved to 8-2 at home. The Cougars, which led from start to finish, built a 21-4 lead early in the first half and led, 40-24, at the break. With a 14-4 run to open the second half, USF pushed the lead to 54-28 and cruised to the victory. USF's largest lead was 32 points at the 4:33 mark of the second half.

With his 15 points, Guebert moved into 19th place in scoring all-time at USF with 1,179 pts. Tonight, he passed Kevin Flegner, 1993-95, 1,172; Bob Pickert, 1961-65; 1,173 and Brad Ferrie, 1982-86, 1,176. Guebert, who was 6-of-10 from the floor, also had five rebounds in 19 minutes of action. He now has 16 double digit scoring games this year and 56 in his career. Evans also recorded his 15th double digit scoring game as he had 14 points, five rebounds, and tied a career high with six assists (St. Cloud State, Dec. 8, 2017) in 26 minutes.

Rothermund continued to put up points with 14 to set a career best. He now has set career-highs in consecutive games as he had 13 in the 68-56 win over Minnesota Crookston on Saturday. Rothermund also had a career-best four three-pointers on just eight attempts. He added two assists and two rebounds.

Overall, USF had 13 players score on the night, include redshirt freshman Teathloach Pal with nine points and six rebounds. Redshirt freshman forward Austin Slater added eight points, three rebounds and two blocks. Another freshman, Drew Maschoff, made this third career start and finished with seven points, five rebounds and had career bests in steals with four and assists with six.

USF, which had a 44-32 rebound edge, shared the ball against MU with 22 assists on 32 baskets. USF registered seven steals, four blocks and had a 36-22 edge of points in the paint. For the fourth time this season, USF recorded double digits in made three pointers with 10 in 28 attempts for 35.7 percent.

MU, which was led by 12 points from Reggie Gradwell and 11 from Chase Parsons, hit 22-of-63 from the floor for 34.9 percent. They were 11-of-29 from three point range for 37.9 percent and 6-of-10 at the foul line. Both teams had 12 turnovers.

GAME BREAKDOWN –

Led by 13 points from Guebert and seven from Evans, USF opened up a 17-point lead before taking a 40-24 advantage to halftime. The Cougars hit 15-of-33 from the field but just 3-of-14 from three point land. The Cougars had a 7-to-2 edge at the foul line and outrebounded the Warriors, 24-18, including 11 on the offensive board. MU, which had eight points (10 for the game) from Isaiah Workman off the bench, hit 9-of-31 shots for 29 percent and 4-of-14 from three point range.

Just 2:06 into first half, USF grabbed an 8-0 lead after baskets from Rothermund, Evans, Guebert and Pal, who took pass from Evans for a dunk. After MU scored four straight, USF took off on an 11-0 run, capped by dunk by Guebert, for a 19-4 lead at the 12:32 mark. USF led 21-4 (11:47, 1st) before the Warriors ripped off a trio of three pointers to cut USF's lead to 21-10 at the 9:31 mark. Later, the Warriors had a 5-0 run to climb within 27-19 of USF.  Then, Evans knocked in a three followed by jumper by Austin Slater for a 32-19 (3:29) and USF closed with an 8-5 run for the 40-24 halftime advantage.

The Cougars opened the second half on a 14-4 run, including a pair of inside baskets from Evans off assists from Rothermund and Maschoff. Then, Evans knocked down a three for a 54-28 lead (17:00). USF strong second half continued as Pal had a pair of free throws as the advantage grew to 60-32 (15:25).  

MU used the three ball to cut the lead to 21 at 70-49 with eight minutes to play. But once again USF had the answer as Rothermund's fourth three extended the margin to 76-49 at the 6:06 mark. When sophomore forward Devin Green, who had five points and two boards, canned a three with 4:33 to go, USF had a 32-point advantage (81-49) and the issue was decided.
Next for USF will be a pair of NSIC games at NSIC South Division leader Minnesota State on Friday, Jan. 19 and at Concordia St. Paul on Saturday, Jan. 20.