CROOKSTON, Minn.- The No. 15 University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball team, under the direction of 12^th-year head coach Travis Traphagen, got the team's 20^th win on the season (20-3, 13-3 NSIC), downing the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles, 77-59, on Saturday at the Lysaker Gym.

With the victory, the Cougars maintain their lead in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) South, which was boosted to three games after Winona State fell again, this time to St. Cloud State, on Saturday. Hypothetically, the Cougars could clinch the top spot in the NSIC South as early as next week, but requires a weekend sweep for USF, as well as Winona State and Wayne State to be swept in their weekend action as well.

20 Win-

For the sixth time under Traphagen, the Cougars have amassed 20 wins, with the potential of more in upcoming weeks. Under Traphagen, USF has won 22 wins (16-17), 23 wins twice (11-12 and 18-19), and 27 wins twice (10-11 and 15-16).

The Numbers-

The Cougars leaned heavily on their starters in today's contest, with only 14 of the Cougars' 77 points coming from the bench. Leading the Cougars in scoring was senior Jessie Geer, as the Gillette, Wyo., native scored 19 points on the day (8-for-17 FG). Senior Kaely Hummel and redshirt junior Anna Goodhope were not far behind, scoring a respective 16 and 15 points. Szymanski was the final Cougar to reach double digits, scoring 13 points.

Not only did Geer have a game-high 19 points, but also had a co game-high eight rebounds. Goodhope finished one board behind Geer (7), capping the 41-rebound game by the Cougars.

In both the second and fourth quarters, USF shot over 50 percent from the field (58.8 percent (10-for-17) in second quarter, 52.6 percent (10-for-19) in the fourth quarter).

Game Highlights-

                First Quarter-

- After a Minnesota Crookston three-pointer, the Golden Eagles jumped ahead 7-5 early.

- USF went on a 6-0 run following the three-pointer by UMC's Mary Burke.

- Down 16-13, Kiara James got an and-one opportunity to go, tying the game before UMC's Bren Fox scored a layup to give UMC the lead heading into the second quarter.

Score – UMC 18, No. 15 USF 16

                Second Quarter-

- UMC got the first three points of the second quarter on and and-one chance, putting the Golden Eagles ahead 21-16.

- A layup by Goodhope started a 12-0 run for the Cougars, a crucial turning point in the game, as USF took a 28-21 lead and never looked back.

- In the closing minutes of the second quarter, Geer hit a trey to give the Cougars their first double-digit lead of the game.

Score – No. 15 USF 40, UMC 30

                Third Quarter-

- A jumper by UMC's Emma Carpenter at the 6:37 mark got the Golden Eagles to within four of the Cougars (43-39) and forced an early timeout by USF.

- Out of the timeout, Szymanski and Hummel both scored a three-pointer to put USF ahead by 10 points once again.

- USF finished the quarter on a 5-0 run, scoring points on a Szymanski trey and jumper.

Score – No. 15 USF 54, UMC 41

                Fourth Quarter-

- Hummel got a three-pointer to go with 3:47 left in the contest, giving USF its first 20-plus-point lead of the game.

- UMC went on a span of a minute, scoring seven straight points to make a 16-point Cougar lead, but for naught.

Final – No. 15 USF 77, UMC 59

What's Next-

The Cougars have a crucial interdivisional series next weekend, hosting the Northern State Wolves (12-10, 8-8 NSIC) before facing off against the preseason NSIC-favorite MSU Moorhead Dragons (16-7, 11-5 NSIC) at the Stewart Center. The Wolves are coming off a home split of weekend action, whereas the Dragons are the winners of three straight.