ST. JOSEPH, MO. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball Team (0-1) had a career high 18 points from Sydney White, 13 from Danielle Schaub and 12 by Krystal Carlson but had a second-half rally fall just short in a 76-68 loss to Missouri Western (1-0) at the Tip Off Classic on Friday night (Nov. 12) to open the season.

USF has another game on Saturday as they face Fort Hays State at 1:30 pm at the classic.
 

White, a sophomore from Andover, Minn., came off the bench to spur USF's second half rally in which USF had a 46-to-40 advantage. She scored 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting and knocked down both of her three-point shots.

In her first game at USF, graduate transfer Danielle Schaub had 13 points as she hit 6-of-6 from the field and her only three-point shot. Senior Krystal Carlson added 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting. She also had four rebounds and a steal. Also contributing was junior Dallie Hoskinson with five points and a team-high 10 rebounds to go with two steals and an assist. Freshman guard Megan Fannin added seven points while freshman Brecli Honner had six points, six rebounds and two assists in her debut at USF.

Overall, USF was 29-of-58 from the field for 50 percent. After hitting just 9-of-23 shots in the opening half, USF was 20-of-35 for 57.1 percent. The Cougars made 5-of-13 from three-point range but was hurt at the foul line by converting just 5-of-15 for 33.3 percent. In addition, the Cougars had 26 turnovers and lost the rebound battle, 46-39.

MWSU was 25-of-72 from the field for 34.7 percent and made 6-of-21 from three-point range. They had a big edge at the foul line with 20-of-29 conversions. As a result, they had a 15-point differential at the stripe. The Griffons also had a 26-14 edge in points off turnovers and a 21-9 margin on fast break points. The Cougars had a 42-34 margin in points in the paint but had just two points to 19 for MWSU on second chance baskets.

Scoring Summary --
At the first quarter break, USF trailed Missouri Western, 20-10. The Cougars had four points from Carlson and a 12-9 rebound edge but were hurt by 12 turnovers and eight fouls.  Midway through the first quarter, MWSU opened up a 9-4 lead at the 5:47 mark.  

By halftime, MWSU had added to their lead and held a 36-22 margin. In the second quarter, Fannin hit a three and White had a pair of baskets but USF fell behind, 28-17, with 4:36 to play until halftime. MWSU led, 33-19 after Brionna Budgets hit a jumper at the 3:26 mark of the second quarter and maintained that lead at the break.

With back to-back threes from Schaub and Hoskinson, the Cougars cut the deficit to 40-30 against MWSU with 6:46 to play in the third quarter. The Cougars trailed, 46-36, after a Schaub basket with 3:49 to play in the quarter. USF then scored six straight points, including a basket from Krystal Carlson to cut the deficit to 46-42. MWSU answered with a three before Honner's jumper cut the lead to 51-44 at the break. Cougars hit 10-of-19 shots from the field for 52.6 percent and drew within four points (46-42) at one stage of the quarter.

In the fourth quarter, MWSU built a 56-44 lead but the Cougars made a charge. White knocked in a three at the 7:52 mark to draw USF within nine points and then had five straight points to help the Cougars pull within, 59-52 with 7:08 to play. Another lay-up from White and a conversion on "and 1" cut the deficit to 61-57 and 4:39 on the clock. Another White basket and a free throw helped USF draw within one possession at 63-60.

MWSU answered with a basket from Corbyn Cunnningham and two foul shots from Connie Clark and they led, 67-60, with two minutes to play. A lay-up by Carlson helped USF cut the lead to 67-64 at the 1:04 mark but MWSU made their free throws down the stretch and held off the Cougars.