SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball Team (2-2, 0-0 NSIC) will look to extend a two-game winning streak as the Cougars host Southwest Minnesota State (3-1, 0-0 NSIC) to open the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schedule with a 5:30 pm tip off on Tuesday, Nov. 23 at the Stewart Center.

The Cougars, directed by USF Head Coach Travis Traphagen (all-time wins leader - 253), come into the game with two straight nonconference wins at home after dropping a pair of games (Missouri Western, 76-68; No. 4 Fort Hays State, 82-73) to open the season at the Tip Off Classic nn St. Joseph, Mo. SMSU is 3-1 after falling to Truman, 73-62, on Nov. 20. The Mustangs have defeated Maryville (Mo.), 79-65; Nebraska-Kearney, 76-66; and Northwest Missouri State, 64-48. The USF-SMSU match up pits two teams picked among the top four teams in the NSIC South in the preseason coaches poll. SMSU was picked second with two first place votes and USF was fourth with a single first place vote.

Follow USF Women's Basketball - Broadcast - Social Media
Follow USF Women's Basketball on twitter at @USFCougars_WBB and @USF_Athletics. All USF's home and road games and NSIC contests are streamed for free through Blue Frame at the NSIC Network (schedule page, click on NSIC Network). Veteran announcer Tom Frederick will provide play-by-play for the conference radio broadcasts on KWSN.com. Live stats for home games are available at www.sidearmstats.com/wbball.  The game with SMSU on Tuesday will be broadcast on Midco Sports with David Brown handling play-by-play and Brad Newitt on analyst duties.

Breaking down USF
USF is outscoring opponents, 75.3-to-62.5 or 12.8 margin. With those 75.3 points per game, USF ranks sixth in the NSIC. From the field, USF is shooting 114-of-241 for 47.3 percent (4th in the NSIC) with 35.4 percent (3rd, NSIC) from three-point range on 23-of-65 shooting. The Cougars have made 73.5 percent (5th, NSIC) at the foul line on 50-of-68 shooting. In addition, USF is outrebounding opponents, 36.3-to-33.3, averaging 12.5 assists,10.3 steals per game as well as 2.0 blocks.  On defense, the Cougars have limited opponents to 25.4 percent shooting from three-point range for sixth in the NSIC.

Player Profiles - Fannin leads USF in scoring

Freshman guard Megan Fannin is averaging 16.5 points (10th, NSIC) and 3.5 rebounds per game. Fannin, who recorded a career-high of 26 points against Fort Hays State, has hit 24-of-49 field goals for 49.0 percent. She is a sizzling 52.6 percent (3rd, NSIC) from three-point range while averaging 2.5 makes per game. Also, Fannin, who has made 8-of-9 foul shots, has four career double-digit scoring games with three straight (26, 15, 18) this year.

Senior forward Krystal Carlson, who is putting up 11.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, is hitting 53.3 percent from the field on 16-of-30 shooting with an 88.2 percent (15-of-17) at the foul line. Carlson has three double-digit games this season and 16 for her career with a double-double against SMSU in the regular season finale a year ago. In that game, she also had a career-high of 28 points to lead USF to an 88-83 overtime win at home. 

Junior guard Dallie Hoskinson, who has six double-digit scoring games at USF and 26 in her career (20 at Johnson CC), is also adding 8.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists. Hoskinson also has 18 career double-digit rebound games (12 at JCCC), including six at USF with a 10-rebound effort against Missouri Western on Nov. 12. She has a team-high 12 steals or 3.0 per game. In her career at USF, she has had three or more steals in a game five times, topping four in each of her past two games against Presentation and Black Hills State. 

Sophomore guard Sydney White is averaging 8.5 points and 1.0 rebounds while hitting 14-of-24 for 58.3 percent. White has reached double-digits twice at USF with a career-best 18 against Missouri Western on Nov. 12.  

Forward Kiara James is supplying 7.0 points and 4.3 rebounds while hitting 50 percent from the floor (11-of-22).

Freshman Olivia Gamoke, who has two starts, is adding 6.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists with eight steals. She had a career-high of 10 points against No. 4 Fort Hays State on Nov. 13. Twice she has dished five assists and had a career-best four steals against Presentation College.

Inside Look at Opponent – SMSU led by Reinhart
SMSU is led by Meleah Reinhart who is averaging 18.5 points (4th, NSIC) and 7.0 rebounds (11th, NSIC). Sadie Stelter is supplying 12.5 points and 4.5 rebounds while Jenna Borchers is scoring 10.3 points per game. As a team, they are holding a 70.2-to-63.0 point advantage. At 70.3 ppg, SMSU is eighth in the NSIC.From the field, SMSU is shooting 40.4 percent (13th, NSIC) on 93-of-230 shooting. In addition, SMSU has hit 34.1 percent (28-of-82) which ranks fourth in the NSIC with 83.8 percent (67-of-80) from the free throw line. SMSU is third in opponent three-point shooting at 21.6 percent. Also they have a 37.5-to-36.0 rebound edge.

Season Review - 

G1 - Missouri Western 76 USF 68: In the opener, USF 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. 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.

G2 - No. 4 Fort Hays State 82 USF 73: In game two, USF had a career-high 26 points by Megan Fannin but dropped an 82-73 decision to No. 4 ranked Fort Hays State on Saturday afternoon at the Tip-Off Classic. Against one of the top-ranked teams in DII, USF battled all night and made several runs at the Tigers. USF's efforts were led by Fannin, a freshman guard from Watertown, S.D., who hit 9-of-18 shots, including a career-best 5-of-8 from three-point range and added three foul shots. She also had three rebounds, and an assist in 32 minutes on the floor, also for USF, senior forward Krystal Carlson had 15 points, two rebounds, and five steals in 24 minutes. Freshman Olivia Gamoke had a career-best 10 points in her second game at USF. She added five assists, three rebounds, and two steals while hitting 4-of-7 shots from the floor, Additionally, USF had 10 points and four rebounds from Kiara James and nine points and three rebounds from junior guard Dallie Hoskinson. Overall, the Cougars hit 24-of-59 shots for 40.7 percent and made 10-of-24 shots from the three-point range for 41.7 percent. The Cougars improved their free-throw shooting from game one with 15-of-18 conversions for 83.3 percent. 

G3 – USF 86 Presentation College 36 -- Led by a swarming defense and balanced scoring, USF led from start to finish and cruised to an 86-36 nonconference win over Presentation College (2-6) in the home opener on Tuesday at the Stewart Center.  Leading the way for the Cougars was freshman guard Megan Fannin who had 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field and hit a three-pointer. The Cougars also had a career-best 10 points from Lizzie Olson on 5-of-8 shooting while Kiara James added nine points and 10 rebounds in a balanced attack. USF also had eight points from Molly Lutmer while freshman Olivia Gamoke also had seven points, four steals, three rebounds, and two assists. Another freshman guard, Jemae Nichols added seven points with three rebounds and two steals. s. In total, USF had 12 players scored in a game that the Cougars forced 37 turnovers while recording a season-best 19 steals with three blocks.  Overall, USF, which has won 18 straight home-opening games, was 36-of-73 for 49.3 percent but made just 3-of-15 from the three-point range for 20 percent. The Cougars had a 42-28 rebound advantage with 18 off the offensive glass. Olson had four of those 18. USF was also 11-of-15 from the foul line. USF had a 50-22 advantage of points in the paint, 20-13 margin on second-chance points, and an 18-2 margin in fast-break baskets. In addition, USF's bench held a 47-20 margin against PC.

G4 – USF 74 Black Hills State - Freshman guard Megan Fannin had 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead a balanced attack as USF (2-2) earned a second straight home nonconference victory with a 74-56 decision over Black Hills State (2-2) on Saturday at the Stewart Center. Fannin was among four players to reach double-digits in the win over BHSU in the second meeting of the schools in the NCAA DII era. Fannin hit 6-of-9 field goals, including 3-of-4 from three-point range and all three free throws to lead USF in scoring. Fannin, who is averaging 16.5 ppg, registered her fourth career double-digit scoring game – third straight this year. Senior forward Krystal Carlson added 15 points and tied Fannin for a team-high with eight rebounds while recording two assists in 28 minutes on the floor. She now has three double-digit scoring games this season and 16 in her career. Also for USF, junior guard Dallie Hoskinson added 14 points, five assists and three rebounds with a team-best four steals. USF also had 10 points from sophomore guard Sydney White, who was 4-of-8 from the floor and hit a triple. Other contributors including freshmen Brecli Honner with four points and seven rebounds while Olivia Gamoke supplied five points, five assists and two rebounds.  In a game with nine ties, and six lead changes, USF and BHSU played to an 11-11 tie in the first quarter before USF had a late surge in the second quarter to take a 30-25 lead to halftime. USF created separation in the third quarter with a 31-22 margin lead to a 61-47 advantage. Then, USF outscored BHSU, 13-9, in the final quarter to take the 18-point victory. Overall, USF shot 49.0 percent from the floor on 25-of-51 shooting and was 15-of-25 in the second half for 60 percent. The Cougars also had a 36-24 advantage on the boards and dished 15 assists. While 19 turnovers hurt, USF also had five steals and held a 22-20 edge in points in the bench with a 17-16 margin in points off turnovers.   

Series shows USF with 19-18 all-time lead – 15-3 in NSIC play
After splitting a pair of games in 2020-21, USF leads overall series 19-18, dating to the first game in 1969-70. However, since the two teams have competed in the NSIC, USF has won 15-of-18 games. A year ago, SMSU won the first of two games with a 77-54 decision at the Stewart Center. SMSU outscored USF, 49-21 in the second half. The Cougars had 10 points from Krystal Carlson. In the second game of 2021 on Feb. 21, Carlson had 28 points and 17 rebounds to lead USF to an 88-83 overtime win at the Stewart Center. USF also had 22 points from Anna Brecht. The Cougars led 38-37 at the break but were outscored, 36-35 in the second half before recording a 15-10 margin in overtime. Carlson's 17 rebounds was the third most by a player in USF's DII era.
 
In other games of the series --
 
USF placed five players in double digits including Anna Goodhope with 22 and Kaely Hummel with 20, in a 100-77 victory at the Stewart Center on Nov. 20, 2019. Then in the return matchup, USF, then ranked No. 18 in the country, registered a 74-71 victory as Hummel led with 20 points. Jacey Huinker added a double double of 12 points and 11 rebounds while Meleah Reinhart had 25 and Abuk Akoi, 22 for the Mustangs.  In SMSU last win overall and in Sioux Falls on Dec. 30, 2018, the Mustangs took a 77-61 decision. Caleigh Rodning had 16 points while Reinhart and Jenna Borchers supplied 13. In NSIC play, USF holds a 7-3 advantage at home and is 8-0 in Marshall, Minn. In a series that began in 1969-70, USF won the first matchup, 42-31 at Marshall, Minn., and a 36-25 decision in 1970-71 before SMSU won their first game in the series, 45-27 in Sioux Falls. Before USF and SMSU moved into the NSIC, SMSU held a 15-3 margin. Since that USF leads, 16-3. Overall, SMSU leads 12-8 at Sioux Falls but trails the Cougars, 11-6 at their home court.  

Year-by-Year Series Record
1969-70 -- USF42 SMSU 31 @ Marshall
1970-71 – USF 36 SMSU 25 @ Marshall
1971-72 – SMSU 45 USF 27 @ Sioux Falls
1973-74 – SMSU 55 USF 25 @ Sioux Falls
1986-87 – SMSU 71 USF 69 @ Sioux Falls
1987-88 – SMSU 105 USF 80 @ Marshall
1988-89 – USF 90 SMSU 68 @ Sioux Falls
1989-90 – SMSU 66 USF 50 @ Marshall
1990-91 – SMSU 72 USF 53 @ Sioux Falls
1991-92 – SMSU 77 USF 47 @ Marshall
1992-93 – SMSU 79 USF 47 @ Marshall
1992-93 – SMSU 66 USF 54 @ Sioux Falls
1993-94 – SMSU 63 USF 58 @ Sioux Falls
1994-95 – SMSU 73 USF 46 @ Sioux Falls
1995-96 – SMSU 95 USF 68 @ Marshall
1995-96 – SMSU 81 USF 78 @ Sioux Falls
1996-97 – SMSU 74 USF 69 @ Sioux Falls
2002-03 – SMSU 86 USF 76 @ Marshall
11/12/2011 – USF 76 SMSU 58 @ Marshall
12/1/2012 – USF 77 SMSU 66 @ Marshall
1/15/2013 – SMSU 66 USF 52 @ Sioux Falls
11/30/2013 – USF 70 SMSU 60 @ Sioux Falls
12/21/2013 – USF 66 SMSU 53 @ Marshall
11/25/2014 – USF 91 SMSU 50 @ Marshall
12/20/2014 – USF 67 SMSU 45 @ Sioux Falls
11/24/2015 – USF 74 SMSU 42 @ Sioux Falls
12/19/2015 – USF 88 SMSU 72 @ Marshall
11/26/2016 – USF 75 SMSU 40 @ Marshall
12/17/2016 – USF 63 SMSU 47 @ Sioux Falls
11/25/2017 – USF 76 SMSU 58 @ Sioux Falls
12/16/2017 – USF 69 SMSU 54 @ Marshall
12/1/2018 – USF 69 SMSU 51 @ Marshall
12/30/2018 – SMSU 77 USF 61 @ Sioux Falls
11/20/2019 – USF 100 SMSU 77 @ Sioux Falls
12/21/2019 – USF 74 SMSU 71 @ Marshall
2/20/2021 – SMSU 77 USF 54 @ Sioux Falls
2/21/2021 – USF 88 SMSU 83 OT @ Sioux Falls

HC Travis Traphagen begins 14th season
In his 14th season at USF, he has established the career wins mark of 251 with six 20-win seasons, NSIC Tournament title, two tournament final appearances, and a pair of NCAA DII Tournament berths.
 
As he begins season 14, Travis Traphagen has established the career wins mark of 253 with six 20-win seasons, NSIC Tournament title, two tournament final appearances, and a pair of NCAA DII Tournament berths. In his 12 plus seasons at the helm of the USF Women's Basketball program, Traphagen owns a 253-125 (.680) overall record, with six 20-win seasons, two NCAA DII Central Regional berths (2015-16, No. 7 seed; 2019-20, No. 3 seed) and a NSIC South Division title. He has had back-to-back 20-win seasons twice at the DII level, including the 2019-20 (26-6) and 2018-19 (23-8) seasons. He also had back-to-back 20-win campaigns in 2015-16 and 2016-17 with the first NCAA Tournament berth in USF Women's Basketball history in 2015-16.

At the DII level, he has had four 20-win seasons with at least 22 wins each year. The 27 wins in the 2015-16 season is the most by USF at the DII level.