CHADRON, Neb. – Kaely Hummel and Lauren Sanders each scored 14 points and Krystal Carlson added a career-best 13 to propel the University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball (3-1) team to a second straight win in a 90-44 nonconference victory over Chadron State on Saturday.

The Cougars picked up their third win in four games to open the season and all of the victories have come on the road. For the second time this season, USF scored 90 or more points and the margin of victory was the second highest of the year (47, 91-44 over Ouachita Baptist). This weekend, USF picked up two road wins by double digit totals after a 64-49 win over South Dakota Mines.

While USF's offense was highly productive, its defense was the key to the game, noted USF Women's Head Coach Travis Traphagen, who now has won 197 career games.

"For the second straight night and our third time in four games, we held a team below 50 points which is all about defending and getting after your opponent," said Traphagen. "We really hit a groove tonight on offense and really shared the basketball. I was pleased by our defensive effort, especially in the second half when we held them to just 20 points," he said.

USF shot a season-high 56.9 percent by making 33-of-58 field goals. After making just 35.7 percent in the first half, USF was a sizzling 21-of-28 for 75 percent in the final two quarters. In that torrid run, USF made 8-of-14 from three-point range. Overall, USF knocked in 11 three-pointers on 26 attempts for 42.3 percent while hitting 13-of-19 free throws for 68.4 percent.

While USF lost the rebounding battle, 30-28, they broke the game open with a 54-20 points edge in the second half as they matched hot shooting with shutdown defense. They held CSC to 31.8 percent (14-of-44) from the field and 2-of-7 from three-point range.  USF also had 14 steals and two blocks while forcing 30 turnovers. Traphagen was also pleased with the team's sharing of the basketball as the Cougars had 18 assists on 33 made baskets.

Hummel hit 5-of-10 field goals, including 2-of-6 from three-point range, as she had 14 points and her third double digit scoring game of the season. She also had three assists and three steals.

Sanders came off the bench to provide a spark for the Coyotes. She reached double digits for the second straight night after scoring 14 points against CSC. She hit 5-of-7 field goals with 4-of-5 from three-point range. Sanders, who played just 19 minutes, has hit 7-of-10 three-point shots over the past two games.

In her first start of the season and her career, Carlson made all five of her field goals which included a three-pointer for a career-high 13 points. She was 2-of-3 from the foul line and had a rebound, block and steal in 18 minutes.

Traphagen played 15 players and 12 of them scored. Sophomore Anna Goodhope had nine points, five rebounds and two assists while redshirt freshman Jasmine Harris provided nine points and junior Jessie Geer added eight on 4-of-5 field goals.

USF built a 17-10 lead after one quarter and led, 36-24, at halftime. With a 29-15 edge in the fourth quarter, USF took a 65-39 advantage through three quarters. Then, USF had a 25-to-5 run in the fourth quarter to salt away the nonconference victory.

Game Breakdown -
Carlson knocked down a three pointer as USF started the game on a 9-2 run in the opening 4:23. Hummel added a pair of free throws at the 6:15 mark as the Cougars led, 11-2.  With a 6-2 run, CSC cut USF's lead to 13-8 before Sanders answered with a three for a 16-8 advantage. And, USF took a 17-10 lead after a quarter of play.
 
Early in the second quarter, Carlson converted a three-point play as the Cougars led, 20-10, with 9:35 to play. Hummel and Gloria Mulumba, who had nine points and two rebounds on the night, each tallied baskets as USF pushed to lead to 26-12 at the 7:20 mark. CSC tried to make runs at USF and cut the lead under double digits but Goodhope's two foul shots (1:12) and a steal and jumper by Sanders (:40) enabled the Cougars to take a 36-24 lead to halftime.

In the third quarter, USF's three-ball magic came to life and the Cougars put significant distance between themselves and the Eagles. Sanders hit a pair of threes as USF took a 46-29 lead and was followed by a three-ball from Hummel as the Cougars pushed the lead to 52-29 at the seven minute mark.  A three by Sanders enabled USF to take a 65-37 lead with 1:50 to play in the quarter.

With a 13-4 run to open the fourth quarter, USF put the game on ice as they led the Eagles, 78-43, with 4:33 to play. A three-pointer by Andie Mataloni provided the Cougars with their biggest lead at 90-44 with 1:24 to play as USF defeated CSC for a second straight season.