SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball Team (3-3, 0-1 NSIC) will travel to the Sanford Pentagon to take on city rival Augustana (3-1,0-1 NSIC) on Thursday, Dec. 2 (7:30 pm) before returning home to host Wayne State (4-1,1-0 NSIC) on Saturday, Dec. 4 (5:30 pm) in the Stewart Center.

The Cougars, directed by USF Head Coach Travis Traphagen (all-time wins leader - 254), come into the game with three wins in six games, a 3-3 overall mark, and a 0-1 NSIC record so far. In its most recent action, USF brought home a 70-57 win over South Dakota School of Mines on Saturday, Nov. 27. Before that, the Cougars dropped the NSIC opener to Southwest Minnesota State, 75-67, after leading at halftime.  USF had a pair nonconference wins at home (86-36 over Presentation College and 71-61 over Black Hills) before that 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 on St. Joseph, Mo. 

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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. To follow this week's games, click the links provided here:

Augustana
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Wayne State
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History
Augustana
In the overall series at the DII level, the Cougars hold a 10-9 advantage over the Vikings, however Augustana has won the last three games in the series and sit 35-12 overall. USF's most recent win was a 76-72 decision on January 4, 2020 at Augustana. The last time the Cougars hosted the Vikings, USF took a 65-60 win on January 5, 2019 in the Stewart Center. February 13, 2021 was the last time the Cougars and the Vikings met, and the Vikings took a 80-74 win over USF at Augustana. In their last 10 matchups, the Vikings hold a 6-4 advantage over the Cougars. USF is 6-3 in games at Augustana, 2-7 at home and 1-1 in NSIC play.

Wayne State
The Cougars trail Wayne State, 14-11 overall but own an 11-10 overall series advantage at the DII level over the Wayne State Wildcats since their first meeting in 2012. USF is currently on a seven-game winning streak that started with a 81-59 win on January 4, 2019 in the Stewart Center, and continued through their most recent meeting on February 6, 2021, which was a 62-58 in in the Stewart Center. 

Breaking Down the Opponents
Augustana (3-1,0-1 NSIC)
With three overall wins on the season so far, the Vikings are averaging 76.3 points per game and have a .445 field goal percentage. From behind the arc, the Vikings are 20-82 for .244 percent, with an average of five three pointers per game. From the free-throw line, the Vikings have knocked down 41 of their attempted 63 shots for a .651 percentage and an average of 10.3 free-throws per game. On the glass, the Vikings have grabbed 166 rebounds and blocked 23 shots so far this year, while also grabbing 57 steals and fumbling 71 turnovers. Individually, the Vikings are led on offense by Lauren Sees, who is averaging 14.3 points per game and shooting .418 from the field. Behind the arc, Sees is shooting .323 percent, while also shooting .800 percent from the free-throw line. Aislinn Duffy is averaging 10.8 points per game and 30.8 minutes per game. Duffy is shooting .378 from the field and has grabbed 47 rebounds (11.8 per game), three steals, and three blocks. Vishe' Rabb is the Viking's second leading scoring, with 47 points on the year so far and an 11.8 average per game. Rabb is averaging 2.5 rebounds per game (10 total) and is shooting .455 from the field. 

Wayne (4-1,1-0 NSIC)
The Wildcats are averaging 70 points per game and are 4-1 on the year overall so far. From the field, the Wildcats are shooting .395 percent and averaging 22.6 made field goals per game. From behind the arc, the WSU is is shooting .327 percentage and averaging seven three pointers per game, while also shooting .679 percent from the free-throw line. On the glass, the Wildcats are averaging 35.4 rebounds per game and have three blocks. The Wildcats have stolen the ball 45 times but turned it over 90 times on the year so far. Individually, the Wildcats are led by Kylie Hammer, who is shooting .318 from the field and averaging 16.6 points per game. Hammer is also shooting .292 percent from the three-point line and .773 percent at the free-throw line, and has grabbed 27 rebounds (5.4 per game) and nine steals. Lauren Zacharias is the second-leading scorer for the Wildcats, averaging 12.6 points per game and shooting .500 from the field. Zacharias has grabbed 23 rebounds, dished out 10 assists, and grabbed 11 steals on the year so far. 
 
Breaking down USF through six games
USF is outscoring opponents, 73.0-to-63.7 or 9.3 margin. With those 73.6 points per game, USF ranks third in the NSIC (tied with UIU and CSP). From the field, USF is shooting 165-of-364 for .453 percent (4th in the NSIC) with .326 percent (6th, NSIC) from three-point range on 29-of-89 shooting. The Cougars have made .752 percent (4th, NSIC) at the foul line on 79-of-105 shooting. In addition, USF is averaging 35.0 rebounds, 12.3 assists, 10.7 steals and 2.2 blocks per game.  On defense, the Cougars have limited opponents to .243 percent shooting from three-point range and .381 percent overall.

Player Profiles - Fannin leads USF in scoring 
Freshman guard Megan Fannin is averaging 16.8 points (7th, NSIC) and 3.0 rebounds per game. Fannin, who recorded a career-high of 26 points against Fort Hays State, has hit 34-of-72 field goals for .472 percent (11th, NSIC). She is hitting .448 percent (13-of-29) from three point range. Also, Fannin, who has made 20-of-22 foul shots, has six career double-digit scoring games with five straight (26, 15,18, 22, 13) this year. She has three games of 20 points or more and 128 career points.

Senior forward Krystal Carlson, who is putting up 11.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, is hitting .511 percent from the field and .875 percent (21-of-24) 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.  In her career, she has 431 points with 55 this season. Carlson has 219 rebounds, including 81 on offense. 

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 7.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 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 19 steals or 3.0 per game. In her career at USF, she has had three or more steals in a game six times, including three or more four straight games. She has scored 583 career points, 425 at JCCC and 158 at USF, giving her an average of 6.8 points per game. She has 496 total rebounds between JCC and USF for an average of six per game. She has 282 total assists as well as 130 steals. She has 26 double-digit games (20 at JCCC/6 at USF) with career-high of 18 points vs cross town rival Augustana on 2-13-21. She has 18 career double-digit rebound games. She has 12 double-doubles (10 at JCCC/2 at USF), as well as recording three triple-doubles at JCCC.

Sophomore guard Sydney White is averaging 5.7 points and 0.7 rebounds while hitting 14-of-27 for 51.9 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 7.5 points and 4.3 rebounds. She has 263 career points and 137 rebounds. James has a career-best 14 points vs Wayne State on Feb, 2, 2020. James, who has 18 career blocks and 24 assists, set her career-best with eight rebounds against Upper Iowa on Jan. 9, 2021.

Freshman Olivia Gamoke, who has made three starts, is adding 7.7 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists with 10 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. Gamoke has two or more steals four times and four or more assists four times. 

Freshman Brecli Honner is averaging 5.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in making six starts in six games. She has scored six points this year on three occasions with a best of seven rebounds against Black Hills State. 

Danielle Schaub, a graduate transfer from Concordia St. Paul, scored 13 points against Missouri Western and has 22 on the season. She has 24 double-digit scoring games with a high of 27 points against Augustana on Feb. 15, 2020 when she hit a career-best nine three-pointers while playing at Concordia St. Paul. In her career, she now has 545 career points.

USF Season Review - 2021-22 
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.   

G5 -- SMSU 75 USF 67 --  Freshman guard Megan Fannin scored a game-high 22 points but USF dropped a 75-67 decision to Southwest Minnesota State (4-1, 1-0 NSIC) on  Nov. 23 at the Stewart Center. In the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opener for both teams, USF led, 16-12, after one quarter and 33-29 at the break. However, SMSU, which was picked to finish second in the NSIC South, rallied in the third quarter with a 19-10 margin for a 48-43 lead. Then, SMSU, which was led by 18 points from Jenna Borchers, outscored USF, 27-24, in the fourth quarter to earn the win. With the victory, the all-time series between the schools is deadlocked at 38 although USF has a 16-4 margin in NSIC games.  Fannin recorded her fourth straight game with double-digit points and her second 20-point effort in five games this season. She also topped 20 points for the third time in her career. In 34 minutes, Fannin hit 8-of-11 field goals and 1-3 from three-point range as well as 5-of-5 from the foul line while registering two assists and a steal.  USF also had a double-digit point effort from forward Kiara James who had 11 points and five rebounds. She hit 5-of-9 shots from the field. Forward Krystal Carlson supplied eight points with a rebound and three steals while freshman guard Olivia Gamoke had seven points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals. Also for USF, Dallie Hoskinson added six points, three steals and seven rebounds. She has had three or more steals in three straight games. In a game with nine tied scores and five lead changes, the Cougars hit 26-of-68 shots from the field for 38.2 percent although they made just 1-of-9 from three-point range. The Cougars, which was out-rebounded, 42-29, made 14-of-19 foul shots for 73.7 percent.  USF had just 12 turnovers and forced 23 as they had a 12-to-8 margin in points off turnovers and a 19-to-10 advantage on fast-break points.

G6 -- USF 70 SDSM 57 -- Gamoke and Honner were among the four USF players to score in double-digits in taking the fifth straight win over SD Mines. Gamoke hit 6-of-7 shots, including her only three-point shot, and had two assists, a block and a rebound in the win. Honner had 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting while also setting a career-best with eight rebounds. Honner also had two assists, a block and a steal. USF's leading scorer, Megan Fannin, had 13 points, including a pair of triples, and added four rebounds and an assist. She reached double-digits for the fifth straight game and sixth in her career. Junior center Krystal Carlson also surpassed double-digits with 12 points while hauling down seven rebounds, two assists, and three steals in 30 minutes on the floor. Carlson now has four double-digit games this season and 17 in her career. In addition, junior Dallie Hoskinson had seven points, four assists, five rebounds, and four steals while both Kiara James and Jemae Nichols added six points each. USF jumped to an 18-9 lead after the first quarter and then led, 42-25 at halftime. SD Mines outscored, USF in the third quarter, 15-11, to draw within, 53-40. However, they could draw no closer than 10 points, and with both teams scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter, USF came home with a 70-57 victory.

HC Travis Traphagen is in his 14th season at USF
In his 14th season at USF, he has established the career wins mark of 254 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 254 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 254-126 (.679) 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.