ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball Team (7-3, 3-2 NSIC) suffered through a second straight night of offensive struggles in falling to St. Cloud State (6-3, 3-2 NSIC) in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) North-South matchup on Saturday afternoon.

For the second straight night, USF shot under 23 percent for the game as they finished 13-of-58 for 22.4 percent. In a 51-36 loss to Minnesota Duluth on Friday, USF was 13-of-61 for 21.3 percent. As a result, USF has lost two straight games for the first time since 2017-18. USF is now 7-3 overall and 3-2 in league play, which leaves them tied for second in the NSIC South with Winona State.

USF was led by leading scorer Kaely Hummel with 19 points as she reached double digits for the 48^th time of her career. Hummel, who had double-digits for the ninth time this season and for the seventh straight game, was 6-of-12 from the floor and 5-of-7 from three-point range.

While USF was suffering through a tough shooting slump, SCSU hit 24-of-46 shots from the field for 52.2 percent. The Huskies, which had 16 points from Katrina Theis and 15 from Mallie Doucette, hit 9-of-18 from three-point range for 50 percent. USF made just 7-of-27 from three-point range for 25.9 percent. Aside from Hummel's performance, USF was just 2-of-20. The Huskies, which led the game from start to finish, had a 42-29 advantage in rebounds and outscored USF, 22-8, with points in the paint.

Game Breakdown
In the opening two quarters, USF made just 7-of-32 shots for 21.9 percent and were 4-of-14 from three-point range. Hummel, who hit 4-of-7 shots from the field, had 11 points to lead USF. While USF struggled, SCSU opened with 14-of-28 from the field and made 6-of-10 from three-point range. They also held a 23-18 edge in rebounds. The Huskies, led by 10 points from Katrina Theis, led 19-11 after one quarter and outscored USF, 20-10, in the second stanza.

With a three from Damman, SCSU opened up a 5-1 lead before Hummel's three (8:01) drew the Cougars within one point (5-4). After that, SCSU took control as USF couldn't find any offense. SCSU added to its lead with five straight points for a 10-4 lead with 6:20 to play in the first quarter. The Cougars, which started just 3-11 from the field for 27.3 percent, had a three from Hummel to draw within 12-9 with 2:20 to pay in the first quarter.

SCSU closed the quarter with a 7-2 run to take a 19-11 lead at the break. USF hit just 4-of-14 shots for 28.3 percent in the opening quarter. Early in the second quarter, the Huskies took a 10-point lead at 21-11. With 7:48 to play in the second quarter, USF's Mariah Szymanski, which five points and three rebounds, hit a three to cut SCSU's lead to 23-16.  Later, Hummel knocked down a three to keep the deficit at seven points (26-19, 5:26 1^st half). Then, SCSU scored five straight for a 31-19 lead with 4:05 to play.  SCSU closed the half on an 8-2 run to take a 39-21 halftime advantage after Tori Wurtz hit a three just before the buzzer.

In the third quarter, USF was unable to cut into the lead and SCSU built up a 24-point lead at 53-29 with under a minute to play.  SCSU had a 14-8 edge in the third quarter and increased their lead as USF hit just 2-of-12 shots for 16.7 percent and they were 1-of-6 from three-point range.

After Kiara James hit two straight baskets in the fourth quarter, USF had a 10-8 advantage in the quarter and cut SCSU's lead to 61-39 with 5:40 left in the game. However, the Cougars finished the game with just two more points as they took their biggest loss of the season.

USF will look to bounce back as they return home to finish their nonconference schedule with a 6 p.m., game against Dakota State on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at the Stewart Center.