MINOT, N.D.— The No. 14 University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball team took care of business in Minot, N.D., on Saturday, dismantling the Minot State Beavers, 87-53, at the Minot State Dome. The Cougars are now 17-2 overall, and 10-2 in NSIC action.
With the victory, the eighth straight for USF, the Cougars retain their two-game lead over Winona State and Wayne State for the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSIC) South, with a matchup against Winona State coming next Saturday. Against the NSIC South, the Cougars are a perfect 8-0.
The Numbers-
The Cougars had a very balanced offense on Saturday, with there being a three-way knot for leading scorers, with seniors Augusta Thramer, Kaely Hummel, and Jessie Geer all scoring 15 points a piece. Senior Mariah Szymanski was the fourth and final player in double digits, just one behind the others with 14 points.
Hummel made three treys, putting her at 246 career three-pointers. The final three put Hummel ahead of Taylor Varsho (245 threes) for second all-time in program history.
Szymanski and Hummel combined for five threes, putting the two at a combined career total of 398 three-pointers (398-for-1,070, 37.2 percent), the best clip for a guard tandem in program history.
Thramer, the South Sioux City, Neb. native, has a spectacular start to the game, hitting her first three attempts from beyond the arc. Thramer finished the day with a perfect 3-for-3 from three-point range, and 6-for-7 (85.7 percent) from the field. The three three-pointers also set a career-high for treys made in Thramer's career, a record set (two three-pointers) against Minot State a year ago.
For USF, two crucial factors in the game led to the team's victory; overall shooting and turnovers. The Cougars shot 47.7 percent (31-for-65) from the field, 44.8 percent (13-for-29) from beyond the arc, and 12-for-14 (85.7 percent) from the charity stripe. The Cougars also started the first quarter shooting 71.4 percent from three-point range (5-for-7).
For turnovers, USF were a nuisance on defense for the Beavers, causing 23 turnovers, including 11 steals. The turnover margin was plus-17 in favor of the Cougars. Off the turnover, USF saw 21 points scored compared to the Beavers' five points.
Game Highlights-
First Quarter-
-The Cougars started the quarter on an 8-0 run off a pair of threes from Thramer and a layup by Szymanski.
-USF had another 10-0 run to take a 21-5 lead over the Beavers at 3:23 on the clock.
Score- USF 23, MiSU 10
Second Quarter-
-Sioux Falls had another quick start to a quarter, going 11-5 to go ahead 34-15.
-Hummel hit a three-pointer to give USF their largest lead of the half (23) with :17 left in the half.
Score- USF 43, MiSU 22
Third Quarter-
-The third quarter was the only quarter in which the Beavers outscored the Cougars (24-21)
-Geer finished the quarter with a free throw that started a run for the Cougars
Score- USF 64, MiSU 46
Fourth Quarter-
-USF dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring the Beavers 23-7 in the final 10 minutes
-Freshman Ashley Wells hit a three with :16 left in the contest to give the Cougars their largest lead of the game (36 points)
Score- USF 87, MiSU 53
What's Next for USF-
The Cougars will return to the Stewart Center for a weekend series against Upper Iowa on Friday, and Winona State on Saturday. The Peacocks are fresh off a good weekend, falling in an overtime battle with Bemidji State before beating Minnesota Crookston by 15. Winona State have won five of their last seven, including their weekend sweep of UMC and BSU.
