SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- With a three-game winning streak in tow, the University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball Team (11-5,6-3 NSIC) will head back out on the road for an NSIC matchup at Northern State University (7-7, 4-5 NSIC) on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 6 pm in Aberdeen, S.D. The Cougars were als scheduled to play Minnesota State Moorhead at Moorhead on Friday, Jan. 14, but that contest has been canceled due to COVID-19 protocols.
The Cougars have a 6-3 record in league play, which places them in second place in the NSIC South. USF will face Northern State for the 11th time, with both teams each owning five wins. Northern State is 7-7 overall and 4-5 in the league. The last time USF and Northern played, the Cougars took a 65-61 over the Wolves on February 7, 2020 at the Stewart Center.
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Game Breakdown -
The Cougars, directed by USF Head Coach
Travis Traphagen (all-time wins leader at USF with 262), is outscoring opponents, 72.0-to-60.8 or an 11.2 margin. The Cougars rank third in the NSIC in scoring and third in points allowed. In shooting, USF is averaging 42.7 percent on 426-of-998 from the field, which is seventh in the NSIC. They are also sixth in field percentage defense at 38.3 percent. In addition, USF is third in three-point shooting, making 100-of-291 from distance. Against the three-point shot, USF is fifth in the NSIC, holding opponents to 27.8 percent on 86-of-309 shooting. The Cougars, which have out-rebounded opponents in 11 of 16 games, including nine of the past ten, rank seventh in the NSIC with 38.1 rpg and is fifth in offensive boards at 11.4 per game. USF is third in turnover margin at 3.13 (16.4-to-19.5). In forcing 19.5 turnovers, USF averages 10.5 steals per game, which is second in the league. In 16 games, USF has 168 steals with 10 games of at least 10 or more. USF has twice had 19 or more with a season-high 21 vs Waldorf University.
Individually, freshman guard
Megan Fannin leads USF with 15.3 points per game, which ranks eighth in the league. USF also is receiving 9.3 points and 4.8 rebounds from senior forward
Krystal Carlson. Junior guard
Dallie Hoskinson, who has five games of double-digit rebounds in 2021-22, averages 9.1 points, 7.3 rebounds (7th, NSIC) per game, 3.8 assists (8th NSIC) and 2.5 steals (5th, NSIC). She was recently named the NSIC Player of the Week after nearly securing a triple double (14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists) after a home win over U-Mary on Jan. 7.
Opponent Breakdown - Northern State
The Wolves, directed by fourth-year Head Coach Paula Krueger, defeated Wayne State on Jan. 7 on the road. The victory ended a four-game slide to NSIC North teams. NSU, which is fifth in the NSIC North with a 4-5 record, averages 65.4 points per game on a 39.5 field goal percentage. NSU is grabbing 40.2 rebounds per game, as well as 6.6 steals and dishing out 9.9 assists. Individually, the Wolves are led by Kailee Oliverson, who is averaging 14.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Lexi Roe is also averaging 6.2 rebounds and adding 12.4 points per game for the Wolves.
Series Notes -- USF trails NSU, 14-6
The Cougars trail NSU, 14-6, in the all-time series with a 5-5all-time mark in NSIC play. In the last meeting, USF dropped a 65-61 decision on Feb. 7, 2020. The Cougars have won two straight, including a 73-66 win at NSU on Feb. 8, 2019. Prior to that NSU won three straight, including a 55-52 decision in the NSIC Tourney on Feb. 29, 2017 (championship game).
Player Profiles - Fannin & Hoskinson have earn NSIC Player of the Week honors in 2021-22
Freshman guard
Megan Fannin is averaging 15.3 points (8th, NSIC) and 3.4 rebounds in leading USF to 11 wins in 16 games. Fannin earned her first-ever NSIC Player of the Week honor on Dec. 13, 2021. She earned the honor with two solid performances in wins over Upper Iowa and Winona State. In a 73-50 win over Upper Iowa, she had 20 points and six rebounds, as she made 4-of-10 from three-point range in 29 minutes. Against Winona State, Fannin led the Cougars to a 74-54 win by scoring 22 points with three rebounds, assist and a steal. Fannin, a business administration major from Watertown, S.D., ranks first in the NSIC in free-throw percentage at 88.9 percent. With 2.5 three's per game, she is second in the NSIC. She has 12 career double-digit scoring games with 11 this year (26, 15,18, 22, 13, 16, 20, 20, 22, 19, 19). In 2021-22, Fannin has five games of 20 points or more (six in her career) and 269 career points (239 this year). Fannin has made a three-point field goal in all 16 games this season with six games of three or more.
Senior forward
Krystal Carlson, who is putting up 9.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, is hitting 46.5 percent from the field (59-of-127) and 81.6 percent (31-of-38) at the foul line. Carlson has five double-digit games this season and 18 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. With 14 points in a 69-61 road win over SMSU on Sunday, Jan. 2, she surpassed 500 career points. In her career, she has 513 points with 149 this season. Carlson has 268 rebounds, 63 assists, and 35 blocked shots.
Junior guard
Dallie Hoskinson, who has 10 double-digit scoring games at USF and 30 in her career (20 at Johnson CC), was named NSIC Women's Basketball South Division Player of the Week on Jan. 10, 2022 after recording a near triple-double against U-Mary with 14 points, nine rebounds and tying a career-best eight assists. She had a career-best performance vs Augustana on Dec. 2 with 20 points, eight rebounds and four steals. She is scoring 9.1 points while grabbing 7.3 rebounds (8th, NSIC) and 3.6 assists (8th, NSIC). Hoskinson also has 22 career double-digit rebound games (12 at JCCC), including 10 at USF with a career-best 15 rebounds against Upper Iowa. She has totaled five double-digit rebound games this season. Hoskinson has a team-high 37 steals or 2.5 per game. In her career at USF, she has had three or more steals in a game seven times, including four or more three times. This year she has at least one steal in all but one game and four in four different games. With double-digit points in six games this season, she has now scored scored 248 points at USF and 425 at JCCC for 673 in her career. She has 583 total rebounds between JCC (367) and USF (225) for an average of 6.8 per game. She has 14 double-doubles (10 at JCCC/4 at USF), as well as recording four triple-doubles at USF.
Sophomore guard
Sydney White is averaging 5.3 points and 1.2 rebounds while hitting 31-of-63 for 49.2 percent. White has reached double-digits four times at USF with a career-best 18 against Missouri Western on Nov. 12. White, who had 15 points against Mount Marty on Monday, has played 21 career games and totaled 94 points in her career.
Forward
Kiara James is supplying 5.4 points and 3.6 rebounds. In 88 career games, she has 305 career points and 169 rebounds. James, who has three double-digit scoring games, has a career-best 14 points vs Wayne State on Feb, 2, 2020. James, who has 22 career blocks and 32 assists, set her career-best with eight rebounds against Upper Iowa on Jan. 9, 2021.
Freshman
Olivia Gamoke, who has made 13 starts in 16 games, is averaging 6.8 points (108 total) with 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists. She has 26 steals or 1.4 per game. She had a career-high of 13 points against South Dakota Mines on Nov. 27 with a career best five rebounds against Upper Iowa on Dec. 10, 2021 and twice has had five assists (Fort Hays State, Nov, 13, 2021 & Black Hill State, Nov. 20, 2021). Gamoke has a high of four steals against Presentation on Nov. 16, 2021 She has had at least two steals in a game six times and a steal in 10 of 14 games.
Freshman
Brecli Honner is averaging 4.5 points and 3.6 rebounds in making 14 starts in 15 games. She has a career-high of 10 points and eight rebounds against South Dakota Mines on Nov. 27, 2021. She has had six points or more this year seven times.
Danielle Schaub, a graduate transfer from Concordia St. Paul, has made three starts in 16 games while averaging 5.8 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. She has made 13 triples, recorded 19 steals and dished 20 assists. She scored 13 points against Missouri Western and has 78 on the season. She has 26 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 594 career points.
Freshman
JeMae Nichols is averaging 3.7 points and 3.6 rebounds in 15 games this season. Against Winona State, she set a career high of 13 points on Dec. 11, 2021. Against Upper Iowa on Dec. 10, she had a career-best 10 rebounds. This season, she is hitting 47.9 percent from the field on 23-of-48 shooting and has 17 of her 54 rebounds off the offensive glass. Also, she has 12 assists, including a career-high four vs Winona State on Dec. 11, 2021. Nichols has totaled six blocks and eight steals.
Also of note, USF's
Madison Wuebben, who has two career starts in 14 games, and
Madison Birnbaum set career highs with 15 points in the 78-42 win over Mount Marty on Monday. Wuebben hit a career-best three triples. As for Birnbaum, she had a career-best four triples in eight attempts while grabbing a high of five rebounds and five blocked shots. With five blocked shots, Birnbaum, who has played in three games this season, had the most by a USF player since Moira Duffy registered eight blocks in a win over Bemidi State on Jan. 12, 2018.
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. Also contributing was junior
Dallie Hoskinson with five points and a team-high 10 rebounds to go with two steals and an assist.
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. 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. USF also had eight points from
Molly Lutmerwhile 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. 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.
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. USF also had a double-digit point effort from forward
Kiara James who had 11 points and five rebounds. Forward
Krystal Carlsonsupplied eight points with a rebound and three steals while freshman guard
Olivia Gamokehad seven points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals. 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 SD Mines and Tech 57 --
Olivia Gamoke and
Brecli Honner were among the four USF players to score in double-digits in taking a fifth straight win over SD Mines in the 70-57 decision in Rapid City. 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. 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. 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. Both teams scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter, USF came home with a 70-57 victory.
G7 -- USF 73 Augie 60 --
Dallie Hoskinson recorded a career-high 20 points with eight rebounds and four steals to lead USF to an 73-60 win over Augustana (3-2, 0-2 NSIC) in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action at the Sanford Pentagon on Thursday night. Hoskinson had another career-best game against the Vikings. On Feb. 13, 2021, she set her previous career-high at USF with 18 points against Augustana. The junior guard from Hugoton, Kan., shined with 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting and knocked in a three-pointer with 3-of-4 from the foul line. In addition, she had eight rebounds, three assists, and four steals. Joining Hoskinson in double-digits was freshman guard
Megan Fannin with 16 points and freshman
Olivia Gamoke with 10. USF is now 11-9 in the DII era against their city rivals. Overall, USF was 28-of-63 from the field for 44.4 percent, although just 3-of-15 from three-point range. The Cougars converted 14-of-20 foul shots for 70 percent, had a 40-31 edge on the boards and had 12 assists.
G8 -- USF 76 Wayne State 75 --
Megan Fannin had 20 points to lead four players in double-digits as USF earned its third straight win by edging Wayne State (5-2, 2-1 NSIC), 76-75, in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action at the Stewart Center on Saturday. The Cougars defeated WSC for the eighth straight time in a streak that began with an 81-59 win on Jan. 4, 2019 at the Stewart Center. USF had 12 points and six rebounds from
Krystal Carlson, who has 17 career-double digit games. Also adding 12 points was
Dallie Hoskinson who also supplied three rebounds, two assists and a steal. Senior
Danielle Schaub added 11 points with a pair of rebounds, an assist, and a steal. In a game with 10 tied scores and eight lead changes, the Cougars trailed, 22-17, after a quarter but with a 20-13 margin in the second quarter took a 37-35 lead to halftime. USF also had the advantage in the third quarter by a 22-21 margin for a 59-56 lead. WSC had a 19-17 advantage in the fourth quarter as the Cougars hung on for a 76-75 win.
G9 -- USF 73 Upper Iowa 50 -- With 20 points from
Megan Fannin and a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds by
Dallie Hoskinson, USF defeated Upper Iowa, 73-50. USF defeated Upper Iowa for the 16th straight time and now holds a 19-1 overall series advantage. Fannin was 7-of-17 from the field with four triples in 10 attempts while adding six rebounds, which was her second-best total this season. Hoskinson, a junior from Hugoton, Kan., recorded her third double-double of her career at USF with her 13th during her collegiate career (Johnson Community College). The 11 rebounds for Hoskinson was a team-season high and her six assists were also a best this season. She made 5-of-10 from the field and added a triple. USF had a career-best night from freshman
JeMae Nichols of Cherokee, Iowa, who reached double-digit rebounds for the first time with 10. She had a career-best eight points by hitting 3-of-5 from the field and adding two assists and a blocked shot. Also for the Cougars, freshman guard
Olivia Gamoke of Onalaska, Wis., had 10 points from five rebounds. Overall, the Cougars hit 29-of-71 field goals for 40.8 percent and was 10-of-29 for 34.5 percent from three-point range. The Cougars, which hit 5-of-6 free throws, had a substantial rebound advantage of 53-33.
G10 -- USF 74 Winona State 54 -- The trio of
Megan Fannin,
Krystal Carlson and
JeMae Nichols combined for 54 points and 16 rebounds to lead USF to its fifth straight win with a 74-54 win over Winona State (4-5, 1-4 NSIC) on Saturday at the Stewart Center. The Cougars defeated WSU for a fourth straight time to tie the all-time series at 10-10. In addition, the Cougars, who improved to 5-1 at home, registered its sixth win by a double-digit margin and its second straight of 20 points or more. USF held a second straight NSIC opponent to 54 points or fewer. For the third straight game, Fannin, a freshman from Watertown, S.D., scored at least 22 points. Against WSU, she had 22 points by hitting 8-of-15 field goals as she set a career-best with six triples in 10 attempts. Senior forward
Krystal Carlson had 19 points and eight rebounds with four assists and two steals in 27:25 on the floor.
JeMae Nichols set her career-high in points with 13 one night after she had a career-best with 10 rebounds against Upper Iowa on Friday. Against the Warriors, Nichols hit 6-of-10 field goals, hauled down six rebounds and dished four assists with a steal in giving USF a 44-to-10 edge in bench points. The Cougars also had a solid effort from junior guard
Dallie Hoskinson, who had a career-best eight assists to go with eight rebounds and four points with a steal. The Cougars, which led by 23 points in the fourth quarter (74-51, 1:36), controlled the game from start to finish. USF led 19-15 after a quarter and 35-27 at halftime. With a 17-14 edge in the third quarter, USF built a 52-41 advantage and then outscored the Warriors, 22-13 in the fourth quarter to take away a second straight 20-point win. Against Winona State, USF hit 32-of-63 field goals for 50.8 percent, including 8-of-19 from three-point range for a season-high 42.1 percent. USF's eight triples was tied (Wayne State, 12/4/21) for their second-best total this season (10 vs Fort Hays State, Nov. 13, 2021).
G11 -- USF 82 Waldorf 42 -- USF's defense certainly played a central role in the win. Not only did the Cougars hold Waldorf to 42 total points, including just 17 in the second half, USF had a season-high 21 steals in forcing 31 WU turnovers. As a result, USF had a 34-to-7 margin in points from turnovers. USF also won the rebound battle for a fifth straight game at 37-34. Of that total, USF had 15 offensive boards and as a result had a 13-to-6 margin in second chance points. USF also had a 42-to-20 margin of points in the paint and a 19-to-2 margin in fast break points.
Sydney White came off the bench to help USF to a 39-to-10 margin in bench scoring. She made 5-of-11 field goals, including two three-point baskets, while grabbing a career-best six rebounds and dishing two assists. A freshman from Andover, Minn., White scored in double-digits for the second time this season and the third in her career.
Dallie Hoskinson had her third double double at USF and her second in three games. A junior from Hugoton, Kan., she had 11 points and 10 rebounds, including six offensive boards. Hoskinson also had five assists and set a career-best with five steals. Freshman guard
Madison Wuebben had a career-best seven points while recording a rebound and a steal. The Cougars, which hit 35-of-77 for 45.5 percent from the field, trailed early (8-2) but had a 14-2 run to end the first quarter for a 16-10 advantage. Then, USF, which was 7-of-16 for 43.8 percent from three-point range, took a 34-25 lead to the break. However, in the second half, USF dominated with a 48-to-17 margin for the 40-point win in the first-ever meeting between the schools.
G12 – No. 24 Minn. State 73 USF 64 -- USF had a six-game winning streak end on a tough shooting night as the Cougars dropped a 73-64 decision at No. 24 Minnesota State at the Taylor Center of the Bresnan Arena on Dec. 17. The Cougars led early before MSU was able to gain control and build as much as a 15-point lead later in the game. USF rallied late and pulled within three with 2:54 to play but couldn't quite get over the top in falling to the first-place Mavericks. MSU took an eight-point lead after the first quarter, 25-17. At the half, MSU still led by eight at 37-29 before extending it to 59-47 through three quarters. USF cut the lead to three points late in the fourth quarter (67-64, 2:37 to play) but MSU had a 6-0 closing run. While USF did not place any player in double-digits, the Cougars showcased a balanced attack with 10 players scoring between two and nine points.
Kiara James,
Megan Fannin and
Sydney White all led USF with nine points.
Dallie Hoskinsonhad seven points, a game-high 11 rebounds, four assists and a steal. Hoskinson had her fourth game of double-digit rebounds, including her second straight, this season.
Danielle Schaub also had eight points as did
Krystal Carlson, who had four rebounds and two steals. In its attempt to knock off a nationally-ranked foe, USF was hurt by its 33.3 percent shooting mark as they made just 21-of-63 field goals and 5-of-22 for 22.7 percent from three-point range. USF, which made 17-of-20 foul shots for 85 percent, was outrebounded, 46-42. The Cougars were also hurt by fouls with 21, including the loss of two starters.
G13 – Concordia St. Paul 71 USF 51 -- USF, which was led by 10 points from
Danielle Schaub, had a difficult shooting night in falling to Concordia St. Paul, on Dec. 18 at the Gangelhoff Center in St. Paul, Minn. After the two teams played to a 14-14 tie in the first quarter, CSP outscored USF, 22-8, in the second quarter for a 36-22 lead at the halftime break. CSP also had a 17-15 scoring edge in the third quarter for a 53-37 margin. And, the Golden Bears had an 18-14 margin in the fourth quarter to earn the win. Schaub hit 3-of-6 field goals, including 1-of-2 from three-point range and dished two assists to lead the way for USF. The Cougars also had eight points and seven rebounds from junior forward
Kiara James and seven points and five rebounds from freshman guard
Megan Fannin. For the third straight game and the fifth time this year, junior guard
Dallie Hoskinson had double-digit rebounds with 10. She scored two points and had two assists while grabbing a game-high six offensive boards. On the game, USF was 18-of-58 for 31 percent from the field and just 4-of-15 from three-point range for 26.7 percent. The Cougars won the rebound battle with a 37-35 advantage.
G14 -- USF 69 SMSU 61 -- USF, which led from start to finish, was on fire early as the Cougars hit 9-of-15 shots in the opening quarter and opened up a 24-4 lead. By halftime, USF held a 40-23 lead, despite SMSU owning a 19-16 margin in the second quarter. SMSU also won the final two quarters – 18-15 in the third; and 20-14 in the fourth. The Cougars built as much as a 24-point lead (49-25 with 6:02 to play in the third quarter). Then, SMSU closed on a 36-20 run but USF made baskets as needed and held off the Mustangs. Fannin led USF with 19 points as she made 7-of-14 from the field and connected on 2-of-5 from three-point range. A freshman from Watertown, S.D., Fannin had her 11th career double-digit scoring game, including a team-best 10 this season. She also had a pair of rebounds with an assist and a steal. Carlson, a senior forward from Hastings, Minn., totaled 14 points, seven rebounds, three steals, two blocks and two assists in a solid all-around game. Carlson, who hit 5-of-14 shots, including 4-of-4 from the foul line, recorded her 20th career double-digit scoring game. She also surpassed 500 career points (512).
G15 - USF 74 U-Mary 58 --
Megan Fannin,
JeMae Nichols and
Dallie Hoskinson all scored in double digits to lead USF past U-Mary, 74-58 on Jan. 7 at the Stewart Center. Fannin, who ranks eighth in the league in scoring, had 19 points with four rebounds, an assist, and a steal in 30 minutes. Fannin hit a pair of three-pointers in the fourth quarter as part of an 11-0 run that gave USF a 65-54 lead and momentum to finish off their sixth league win. Junior guard
Dallie Hoskinson toyed with a triple-double as she had 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in 35 minutes. Nichols had her second career-double digit scoring game with 10 points while adding seven rebounds. Nichols, who helped USF to a 26-to-13 bench scoring advantage, hit her first career three-pointer and also had a steal in 14 minutes on the floor. USF, which led 12-4 after the first quarter, took a 30-24 lead at halftime. U-Mary held a 24-19 advantage in the third quarter to cut the lead to 49-48. In the fourth quarter, the Marauders took a 52-51 lead before USF finished off a 25-10 quarter advantage by finishing with a 23-to-6 run. USF, which led by as many as 18 points late in the fourth quarter, hit 25-of-63 field goals for 39.7 percent, including 9-of-21 three-pointers for 42.9 percent. SUF was 4-of-5 from three-point range in the game-deciding run in the fourth quarter. Also, USF was 15-of-16 at the foul line for 93.8 percent. USF has 12 steals as they forced 16 turnovers and had a 23-to-9 advantage in points off turnovers.
G16 - USF 78 MMU 46 -- Led by 15 points each from
Sydney White,
Madison Wuebben and
Madison Birnbaum, the Cougars recorded its third straight win with a 78-46 decision over Mount Marty. For the game, USF hit 24-of-57 field goals for 42.1 percent, which included a season-high 11 three-point shots on 25 attempts for 44 percent. USF, which had a 28-to-6 margin in points off turnovers, had eight steals and forced 22 turnovers. The Cougars also converted 19-of-21 free throws for 90.5 percent. Sharing the basketball is common for this squad as they also had 18 assists on 24 made baskets. USF won the rebound battle for the 11
th time in 16 games with a 37-32 margin and totaled seven offensive boards. USF jumped out to a 23-7 lead after one quarter and took a 40-16 lead to halftime. MMU won the third quarter with an 18-14 burst while USF doubled up the Lancers in the fourth quarter at 24-12 to earn the 78-46 win which was USF's 25
th all-time win with MMU.
HC Travis Traphagen - 14th season at USF
Head Coach
Travis Traphagen has made a significant impact with the University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball Team. In his 14th season at USF, he has established the career wins mark of 262 with six 20-win seasons, NSIC Tournament title, two tournament final appearances, and a pair of NCAA DII Tournament berths.
Traphagen owns a 262-128 (.670) 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 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. He also directed USF to the NCAA DII berth in 2019-20. 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.
Traphagen is 140-44 at home, 101-71 in away games and 21-13 on a neutral floor. The Cougars have a 120-78 NSIC record, including 64-35 at home and 55-43 on the road. Traphagen, who has directed USF to seven straight winning seasons, has twice guided the Cougars to the NSIC Tournament title game, winning in 2015-16 to earn USF's first trip to the NCAA Tournament in their Division II history. USF is 15-8 in the NSIC Postseason Tourney with Traphagen at the helm.