ST. PAUL -- Despite Anna Brecht (14 points) and Krystal Carlson (11 points) in double digits, the (RV) University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball Team (5-1, 5-1 NSIC) lost their first game of the season as they fall to Concordia St. Paul (6-2, 4-2 NSIC), 64-50, on Saturday in the Gangelhoff Center. 
 
Brecht had her sixth straight double digit scoring game, adding 14 points to the Cougar's total, but it was the first time this season that Brecht hasn't scored at least 17 points or more. Brecht, who was 5-of-11 from the field, added three rebounds and a steal. Carlson scored 11 points, recording her second double digit scoring game of the season, including the ninth double digit game of her career. She also had six rebounds and tied a career-high with three blocked shots.
 
In the loss, the Cougars struggled shooting as they hit just 31.6 percent for the game, which was the lowest mark of the season. USF also recorded their lowest point total since losing to Winona State on January 26, 2019 with the exact score, 64-50.  
 
However, USF took their first road loss in four games and with a 2-0 mark at home, stand 5-1 on the season.  With SMSU's loss to Minnesota State, the Cougars retained a hold on first place in the NSIC South. 
 
"We had some shooting issues early," said USF Head Coach Travis Traphagen, whose team is scheduled to host Minnesota State, Mankato on Jan. 29-30 at the Stewart Center.  "You have to give Concordia St. Paul a lot of credit. They stayed after us and we struggled a bit. We just have to use this and work to improve as a team."
 
In today's setback, the Cougars still had some positive things happen throughout Saturday's matchup. Senior guard Lauren Sanders hit her 100th career three pointer. With two three pointers today, Sanders, a senior from Millard, Neb., has 101 career threes. In addition, freshman shooting guard Madison Wuebben of Yankton, S.D., recorded her first career points for the Cougars. 
 
Key to the game was shooting as CSP outshot USF, 43.3 percent (26-of-60) to 31.6 percent (18-of-57). But a real factor was from three-point range where CSP had a 12 (21 att., 57 percent) to 5 (19 att., 26.3 percent) advantage. USF had a 9-to-0 edge at the foul line but with 21 more points from distance, CSP had the clear edge. USF, which won the rebound battle, 38-36, for the fifth time in six games, was outscored 28-22 in the paint. Additionally, CSP, which had a game-high 17 points (5-of-8 from three) from Riley Wheatcraft, utilized a 26-to-10 edge of points off turnovers to their advantage. USF had 19 turnovers while the Bears had 15. 
 
In the first quarter, USF started slow as they made just 3-of-12 from the floor for 25 percent. CSP outscored USF, 18-10, shooting 7-of-13 from the floor for 53.8 percent. The Cougars did outrebound the Bears, 10-4.  
 
In the second quarter, both teams suffered through tough shooting as the defenses prevailed. The Bears outscored USF, 8-4, to take a 26-14 advantage to halftime. The Cougars scored just four points, shooting 2-of-16 from the floor for 12.5 percent, while the Bears scored just eight points, shooting 3-of-18 from the floor for 16.7 percent.  
 
In the third quarter, the Cougars were able to break double digits in scoring, but they still couldn't catch the Bears. CSP outscored USF 24-19, shooting 10-of-18 from the floor, as opposed to USF's 7-of-15. 
 
In the fourth quarter, the Cougars tried to rally and outscored the Bears, 17-14. But in a reversal of fortunes from Friday, the Bears had the huge advantage (50-33) and held off every USF charge to get back into the game.  CSP was 6-of-11 from the floor (2-of-2 from three), while the Cougars missed all four of their three pointers and shot 6-of-14 from the floor.