SIOUX FALLS -- With two wins in three games,  the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (8-7, 4-5 NSIC)  set to host Bemidji State (6-9, 3-8 NSIC) on Friday, Jan. 21 at 7:30 pm and Minnesota Crookston (5-12, 2-9 NSIC) at 5:30 pm on Saturday, Jan. 22 at the Stewart Center.   

USF, which had four games canceled before a road loss to Northern State, 79-72, sit in seventh place in the NSIC South but just a half game out of  fourth place and just game and half from third place. Bemidji State, directed by head coach Mike Boschee, is seventh in the NSIC North with three straight losses, including a 98-90 overtime decision at Concordia St. Paul. They defeated Minnesota Crookston, 70-46, on Jan. 2. Minnesota Crookston, directed by head coach Dan Weisse, ended a nine-game losing streak with a 77-72 win at Concordia St. Paul on Jan. 14. UMC and Minnesota State's game on Jan. 15 was canceled due to COVID protocols.

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How Things Stand - 

USF is directed by school career wins leader (248 overall, 232 at USF) Chris Johnson, who won his 100th career NSIC game against Concordia St. Paul, 80-69 on Dec. 18, 2021. USF is 5-4 in its last nine games and have won the rebound battle in 10-of-15 games this year, including six of past eight games. 

Through 15 games, USF ranks ninth in the NSIC with 74.0 ppg and allow 74.1 ppg, which is 11th in the NSIC. USF is averaging 37.3 rebounds per game for fourth in the league with an NSIC-high 11.7 offensive boards (176 total). USF is shooting 34.3 percent from three-point range for 11th in the NSIC with 7.5 triples per outing ranking ninth in the league. USF is hitting 69.8 percent (14th, NSIC) at the foul line, rank fourth in the league with a 2.07 turnover margin (9.4 to 11.5 for opponents) with a 1.39 assist-turnover ratio, its best mark in several years and fifth in the NSIC. With 13.07 assists, USF ranks 10th in the NSIC.

Opponent Breakdown -- Bemidji State, Minnesota State Crookston

Bemidji State comes into the game with USF averaging 74.9 points per game for eighth in the NSIC, just ahead of USF at 74.0. BSU is seventh in defensive scoring at 71.6 points.  Travis Bianco is averaging 16.1 points (16th, NSIC) and a team-high 6.4 rpg.  BSU, which is 3-3 on the road,  is receiving 11.7 ppg and 5.2 rebounds from Mohamed Kone with Derek Thompson at 10.3 and 5.3 rpg.  The Beavers rank sixth in shooting from the field at 47.7 percent and sixth in defensive field goal percentage at 43.7 percent. With 37.2 percent from three-point range they are sixth in the league while averaging 37.7 rebounds per game for second in the NSIC. They are third in the league with 11.0 offensive boards per game. 

Minnesota Crookston comes into the game averaging 65.7 points per game for 16th in the NSIC and they rank eighth in defensive scoring at 71.9 percent. Four players score in double digits with Ethan Channel at 12.6 per game and 43.4 percent from three-pont range. Leonard Dixon averaged 12.4 points and a team-best 6.8 rebounds while Brian Sitzman is suppling 10.5 points and Uzo DIbiamaka at 10.3 points and 4.5 rebounds. The Golden Eagles average 42.0 percent from the field and hold opponents to 42.7 percent shooting. From distance, UMC is at 33.1 percent on threes with 6.9 per game, which is 13th in the league.  On the boards UMC is at 35.8 per game for ninth in the NSIC.

Series History -- USF  leads BSU, 5-4 

The Cougars lead Bemidji State, 5-4, in the all-time series after a 66-54 win on Jan. 31, 2020.   USF was led by four players in double digits, which included Teathloach Pal with 12 points and nine rebounds. Pal, who just missed his second straight double-double, hit 5-of-11 field goals. USF also had 12 points from senior Devin Green, who was 5-of-7 from the floor and grabbed four rebounds. USF had 11 points from sophomore Chase Grinde, who hit a trio of three pointers as USF was 8-of-17 for 47 percent on the night. Also USF had 10 points, three rebounds and two assists from Jack Thompson. After leading 28-27 at the halftime break, USF outscored the home-standing Beavers, 36-27 over the second 20 minutes. Prior to that win, USF had dropped two straight to BSU which included a 76-73 decision in 2018-19. In the last matchup to BSU, 74-68, despite 21 points from Trevon Evans on Jan. 12, 2018.  On Jan. 20, 2011, the Beavers won the first meeting 68-49 on Nov. 20, 2011 as James Ellison had 27 points and 15 rebounds. Skyler Bloch led USF with 17 points and 12 rebounds. USF had a 44-41 rebound edge but shot just 25.9 percent from the field. On Feb. 2, 2013, BSU edged USF, 72-68 as Lance Rognstad had 20 points. USF was led by James Radar with 19 points while Derek Brown had 17. On Feb. 1, 2014, the Cougars won for the first time in the series with an 87-78 decision at the Stewart Center. Charles Ward had 21 points and Jordan Stotts, 16 as USF shot 54.9 percent from the floor. BSU, which had 10 made 3's, was led by Zach Noreen with 24 points and seven rebounds. The Cougars took a 69-64 win on Feb. 7, 2015 at Bemidji, Minn. In that victory, Charles Ward had 18 points. On Feb. 6, 2016, the Cougars had 25 points from Mack Johnson and 21 by Drew Guebert for a 90-62 win at the Stewart Center. After leading 35-34 at halftime, USF had a 55-28 second half run for the win. On Jan.13, 2017, the Cougars won their fourth straight game in the series with a 78-71 decision at BSU. Zach Wessels had 20 points and 10 assists while Drew Guebert had 16 points with four threes in the victory. After leading 30-28 at halftime, the Cougars had a 48-43 edge in the second half. USF, which had a 33-24 rebound margin, shot 53.6 percent from the field with six threes. Zach Norman led BSU with 24 points and seven rebounds.

USF leads UMC, 9-3, in all-time series            

The Cougars have won 9-of-12 encounters with Minnesota Crookston, including a 77-62 win at Crookston, Minn.,  on Feb. 1, 2020. Jack Thompson had  23 points. Also in the 2019-20 season, USF dropped a 94-69 nonconference loss to UMC at the Stewart Center on Nov. 26. USF was led by Devin Green with 16 points and seven rebounds. The Golden Eagles had 40 points and six assists from Harrison Cleary, who hit 11-of-19 field goals, made a trio of threes and converted all 15 of his foul shots. Prior to that the Cougars defeated UMC, 82-74, on Feb. 2, 2019 at the Stewart Center.  USF received 27 points from Drew Guebert, 15 from Devin Green and 13 from Trevon Evans to turn back the Golden Eagles. In the first ever meeting (Nov. 10, 2008) between the schools at Crookston, Minn., the Cougars took a 71-56 decision as Adam Hether had 19 points and Thomas Frames added 16.  On Nov. 10, 2009, USF defeated the Golden Eagles, 68-67 as Matt Malloy had 15 points and frames, 16. Malloy's jumper with 2:59 left provided USF with a 68-63 but UMC cut the lead to one at the 1:40 mark but couldn't get the go-ahead basket despite a missed throw from USF. On Feb. 1, 2013, USF took a 89-57 decision at Crookston to move to 3-0 in the season. USF used 19 points and three steals from Bill Freeman to take an 89-57 decision at Crookston, Minn. USF, which led 47-27 at halftime, shot 51.4 percent from the floor and made 15-of-31 from three point range. UMC, which had 17 from Ashton Powell, made 41.3 percent from the floor and converted six treys. On Jan. 31, 2014, USF edged UMC, 75-73. USF received 22 points from Derek Brown, including the go-ahead three pointer with 1:20 to play. UMC was 11-of-25 from three point range and made 41.4 percent from the floor. After giving USF a 72-70 lead with 1:20 left, Brown made two free throws with 21 seconds on the clock. On Feb. 6, 2015, UMC defeated USF, 75-73 in overtime at Crookston. UMC picked up its first win in the series with a 73-70 overtime decision at Crookston, Minn. Derrick Redd, who led UMC with 26 points, made the game-winning shot as the buzzer sounded and the Golden Eagles outscored USF, 11-8 in overtime for the victory. Charles Ward led USF with 24 points as the Cougars made 44.6 percent from the field. On Feb. 5, 2016, USF took a 73-60 win at the Stewart Center as Drew Guebert had 23 points with five threes and Mack Johnson had 21 points. USF, which made 11 three pointers, shot 43.3 percent from the field and held a 39-31 rebound advantage. USF, which led 29-24 at halftime, outscored the Golden Eagles, 44-36 in the second half. On Jan. 14, 2018, USF defeated UMC, 69-60 in Crookston. Utilizing balanced scoring, Daniel Hurtt had 16 points while Clint Thomas added 15 and Drew Guebert provided 14 points and six rebounds for USF, which won the rebound battle, 37-to-28. On Nov. 18, 2018, UMC had a 79-74 win at Crookston as Drew Guebert had 21 points. The Cougars had a 38-24 lead at halftime and a 16-point edge early in the second half before UMC rallied behind the play of Harrison Cleary, who finished with 33 points and eight assists. On Jan. 13, 2018, USF took a 68-56 decision at Sioux Falls. After struggling on offense and hold a precarious 25-23 halftime lead, USF put the clamps on defense and outscored UMC, 43-33, in the second half for the victory. On Feb. 21, 2018, the dynamic duo of Trevon Evans (23 points) and Drew Guebert (20 points) added a third in Aaron Rothermund (17 points) as USF shot a season-best 60.3 percent in rolling to a 98-68 win over Minnesota Crookston in the first round of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference/Sanford Health Postseason Tournament before 1,009 in attendance, including a large student contingent, at the Stewart Center. Evans had a career-high 10 assists as he also added five steals and four rebounds. Evans was 10-of-16 from the floor, including 3-of-6 from three point range. Then USF has split the last two matchups. On Feb. 2, 2019, the Cougars took a home 82-74 decision as Drew Guebert scored 27 and USF hit 51.9 percent from the field. Then Cleary led UMC to the nonconference win at the SC this fall with his 40 point outing.

NSIC Rankings -- Individual

Scoring - Matt Cartwright, 1st, 20.6; Jack Thompson, 22nd, 14.7 ppg

3-point percentage -- Matt Cartwright, 3rd, 38.6 percent (39-of-101)

3-point field goals per game -- Matt Cartwright, 3rd, 3.0 (39, 13 games)

Assists -- Jack Thompson, 3rd, 4.6 (60)

Assist-Turnover Radio -- Jack Thompson, 1st, 3.5

NSIC Game Highs (USF players)

Points -- Jack Thompson, 34 vs. SMSU, 1-2-22, tied for 3rd; Matt Cartwright, 32 vs Wayne State, 12/4/2021, 10th; Matt Cartwright, 31, vs Upper Iowa, 12/10/21, tied for 11th

Rebounds -- Chase Grinde, 14, vs Winona State, 12/11/2021, tied for 7th

Free Throws -- Jack Thompson, 16, SMSU, 1/2/2022, 1st

Assists -- Jack Thompson, 9, vs Dakota State, 11/16, 2021, tied for 5th; 8, @ Augustana, 12/2/2021, tied for 10th

3-point field goals -- Matt Cartwright, 7, vs. Upper Iowa, 12/10/2021 tied for 1st; 6, vs. No. 1 Northwest Missouri State, 11/13/2021, tied for 7th.

USF Game-By-Game Review - 2021-22

G1 Southern Nazarene 73 Sioux Falls 52 -- Jack Thompson scored 13 points and Matt Cartwright added 12 but USF dropped a 73-52 decision to Southern Nazarene in the season opener at the Central Region Challenge in Kansas City, Mo., on Friday (Nov. 12). USF hit just 19-of-56 field goals for 33.9 percent and was just 3-of-19 from three-point range for 15.8 percent. However, USF controlled the boards, finishing with a 37-33 margin. In a game with four lead changes and a tie, USF trailed just 31-29 at halftime after leading for a good share of the first half. However, SNU outscored USF, 42-23, in the second half. SNU hit 16-of-27 shots for 59.26 percent after the break, including 6-of-10 from three-point range to create separation from the Cougars. As for USF, they made just 8-of-26 field goals for 30.77 percent including 3-of-11 from three-point range. Two other categories in stats favored SNU, including its 20-11 edge in points off turnovers and 20-8 margin with points in the paint. Thompson, who now has 20 career double-digit scoring games, led USF with 13 points as he hit 6-of-13 shots from the field while adding an assist, two rebounds and a steal. Cartwright had 12 points in 32 minutes. USF also had nine points from both Chase Grinde, who added three rebounds and two assists, and Austin Slater, who had a team-high nine rebounds.

G2 – Sioux Falls 83 No. 1 Northwest Missouri State 77 -- In one of the biggest wins in USF history, the Cougars (1-1) knocked off defending NCAA DII national champion and No. 1 ranked Northwest Missouri State (2-1), 83-77 at the Central Region Challenge in Kansas City, Mo. In the victory, the Cougars upended the No. 1 Bearcats 45-straight game-winning streak on a neutral floor.  It was the longest active win streak among all NCAA Div. I, II and III schools. The Bearcat's last loss on a neutral floor came Nov. 13, 2015, vs. Upper Iowa (L, 76-72). It is USF's first win over a top-10 opponent in the DII era. In adding a little historical twist, the Cougars won for the first time in 81 years and in three meetings with NWMSU. The Bearcats had held a 2-0 lead with USF but had not met since 1939-40 or 81 years ago. In 1939-40 the Bearcats won 52-32 and they had a 39-27 win in the 1937-38 season. USF led from start to finish as they jumped ahead 26-9 by the 7:32 mark of the opening half. They led by 21, 60-39 in the second half before NWMSU closed to within two and the Cougars held on for an 83-77 win with crucial plays in the final minutes Senior Matt Cartwright led USF with 29 points as he made 9-of-18 field goals and was a sizzling 6-of-9 from three-point range.  He also had seven rebounds, two steals and an assist in 37 minutes on the floor. Junior guard Jack Thompson added 20 points as he was 7-of-18 from the floor and had a pair of triples to go with five assists and a steal. Senior forward Austin Slater had a solid post game and finished with seven points and five rebounds along with a block and two assists. Also, USF had nine points and seven rebounds from junior guard Chase Grinde while both sophomore guards Jake Kettner and Noah Puetz had eight points each. Overall, USF shot 44.4 percent from the floor on 28-of-63 shooting. In that total, USF was 11-of-25 from the three-point range as they made 5-of-12 in the opening half and followed up with 6-of-13 for 46.1 percent in the second 20 minutes. At the foul line, USF was 16-of-22 for 72.7 percent.  

G3 – USF 71 Dakota State 61 -- Matt Cartwright scored 28 points and Jack Thompson had a 17 to USF to a 71-61 nonconference victory over Dakota State (2-6) in USF's home opener at the Stewart Center. Cartwright hit 12-of-24 field goals, including 2-of-6 from three-point range while grabbing five rebounds and recording an assist and steal. Thompson was 6-of-11 from the floor and added nine assists, three rebounds and two steals in a solid floor game.  USF outscored Dakota State, 29-21, in the first half and had a 42-40 edge in the second 20 minutes for the 71-61 win and a second straight decision over the Trojans. Overall, USF was 27-of-59 from the field for 45.8 percent, which included 7-of-19 from the three-point range for 36.8 percent. The Cougars, which had a 19-6 margin in points from turnovers, made 10-of-14 free throws for 71.4 percent. USF also had a 9-2 margin in fast-break points and had a 12-11 margin in points off the bench.

G4 – USF 74 Chadron State 56 -- The trio of Matt Cartwright, Chase Grinde and Jake Kettner combined for 69 points to lead the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (3-1) to a third straight nonconference win in a 96-78 decision over Chadron State (0-4) on Friday night. For the third straight game, Cartwright, a senior from Sioux Falls, S.D., scored at least 28 points in a win. In his 28 tonight, he hit 9-of-13 from the field with 3-of-4 from three-point range and 7-of-9 free throws while adding four rebounds and two assists in 34 minutes.   Junior guard Chase Grinde had a season-high with 24 points as he surpassed double digit scoring for the 35th time and the first time this season. He now has six 20-point games in his career. On the night, the Spring Grove, Minn., native, made 10-of-14 field goals, including 1-of-3 from three and 3-of-3 at the foul line while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing three assists in 24 minutes. Also for USF, Jake Kettner of New Ulm, Minn., had a career-high of 19 points as he was 6-of-11 from the field and 2-of-3 from three while hitting 5-of-6 foul shots. The Cougars, which defeated Chadron State for a third straight time in the series, had a season high with 20 assists, committed just seven turnovers and owned a 32-26 edge in rebounds. The Cougars raced to a 47-29 lead by halftime and with 49 points in the second half recorded a season-high points in the 96-78 decision. The point total is the highest offensive output most since recording a 96-51 win over Minot State in the NSIC playoffs on Feb. 27, 2019. On the night, USF hit 54.2 percent from the field on 32-of-59 shooting. USF was 7-of-15 from the three-point range and 25-of-32 for 78.1 percent at the foul line. USF had a 28-20 margin with points in the paint, 33-31 total in bench points and a 10-8 advantage in points off the break.

G5 -- SMSU 70 USF 69 -- In  a back and forth tussle, USF dropped a close 70-69 decision to Southwest Minnesota State (4-1, 1-0 NSIC) in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opener at the Stewart Center on Tuesday night (Nov. 23). SMSU now has a 23-15 lead in the all-time series. In the series, SMSU has won five of the seven games decided by two points or fewer. USF was led by senior guard Matt Cartwright, who had 19 points, including 4-of-11 from three-point range. USF had three players in double-digits with junior guard Chase Grinde adding 12 points, a team-high seven rebounds, three assists and a blocked shot. Jack Thompson added 10 points with a team-high six assists, two rebounds and a steal. 

G6 - Mary 83 USF 74 -- USF, which had 17 points by Matt Cartwright, dropped an 83-74 nonconference decision to U-Mary (2-3) on Friday (Nov. 26) at the Microtel Thanksgiving Classic. Oba finished with 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds. In total USF had five players in double digits as Jack Thompson and Jake Kettner both scored 11 points and Chase Grinde had 10 points and seven rebounds. USF led, 36-28, at halftime but was outscored 55-38 in the second half by the Marauders. USF finished 29-of-66 from the field for 43.9 percent and made 8-of-25 from three-point range for 32 percent. In addition, USF, which was outrebounded, 37-36, hit 8-of-13 free throws for 61.5 percent. 

G7 -- Sioux Falls 80 MSUM 76 -- Matt Cartwright scored a game-high 22 points while Jack Thompson added 16 points and Chase Grinde had 15 to lead the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team to 80-76 win over Minnesota State Moorhead in nonconference play at the Microtel Thanksgiving Classic which concluded on Saturday (Nov. 27). In a game that featured numerous runs by both sides and 24 lead changes as well as 22 ties, the Cougars prevailed with a closing run of 11-2 over the final 2:58 of regulation. USF trailed, 74-69 before Cartwright hit a three and was fouled with the "and 1" drawing USF within a point at 74-73. The Cougars then closed on a 7-2 run for the win. Key in the final moments was four points from Thompson in the final 1:20 of the game. His foul shots gave USF a 75-74 lead and with 37 seconds left and converted a drive into points for a four-point lead (78-74).  

G8 -- Augustana 72 USF 67 -- In a city rivalry battle, which included 10 lead changes and six times, USF dropped a 72-67 decision to Augustana (7-1, 1-1 NSIC) on Dec. 2 at the Pentagon. USF, which trailed just 26-25 at halftime, was outscored 46-42, in the second half. With the loss, USF is now 0-2 in league play and 4-4 overall. They now trail Augustana, 41-37, in the all-time series. The two schools will meet later this year on Thursday, Feb. 17 at the Stewart Center. Against AU, the Cougars were led by 18 points from freshman guard Jake Kettner, who hit 5-of-11 shots from the field and was 4-of-7 from three-point range. Sophomore guard Jack Thompson chipped in with 13 points, eight assists, two steals and three rebounds. For the game, USF hit 25-of-59 field goals for 44 percent and made 7-of-21 from the three-point range for 33.3 percent. USF, which had a 36-to-27 rebound edge, hit 10-of-14 from the line.  

G9 -- USF 81 Wayne State 79 -- Matt Cartwright scored 32 points, including hitting the game-winning shot with 6.2 seconds left, to rally USF  to a gritty come-from-behind win over Wayne State on Dec. 4 at the Stewart Center. With the victory, USF won for the 15th time in 31 games with Wayne State and its sixth win in the last seven meetings between the two schools. It was quite a day for Cartwright, who not only had his first 30-point game at USF, but his season-high total of 32 points pushed him past 1,000 points for his career and sits at 1,006. Cartwright, who scored 17 points in the first half, helped USF rally from down, 54-40 at the 15:42 mark of the second half, to earn a win and end a two-game slide. Cartwright hit 13-of-19 field goals, including 2-of-6 from three-point range and 4-of-5 at the foul line. In his first start at USF, Cedric Johnson came up big with his high at USF of 14 points while adding eight rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block to his total. Chase Grinde had 10 points, five rebounds and led USF with six assists.  

G10 – Upper Iowa 86 USF 79 – USF, which had a game-high 31 points from Matt Cartwright, lost a shootout with Upper Iowa, 86-79, in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference South Division play on Dec. 10 at the Stewart Center. While a winter storm bristled outside, both USF and Upper Iowa put on an offensive show in the second half with a combined 103 points. USF, which trailed, 36-26, at the break, outscored the Peacocks, 53-50, over the final 20 minutes but just came up short. USF opened the second half on a 26-to-16 run to draw even with the Peacocks at 50-50 (10:44) but couldn't sustain the run as UIU closed on a 36-29 advantage. Cartwright, a senior from Sioux Falls, S.D., had 31 points for his second straight game of 30 points or better. Cartwright hit a career-best seven three-point field goals on 16 attempts and added two rebounds. In addition, USF had a big night from Chase Grinde, a junior guard from Spring Grove, Minn., who had 15 points and eight rebounds. He was 6-of-12 from the floor and hit 1-of-3 from three-point range. USF also had 10 points, five assists and four rebounds from Jake Kettner while Jack Thompson had eight points, three assists and a rebound before fouling out. USF, which had a two-game winning streak against Upper Iowa end, held a 47-to-41 rebound edge but was hurt by foul shooting, hitting 9-of-18 for 50 percent. USF was 30-of-80 from the field for 37.5 percent and made 10-of-31 from three-point range for 32.3 percent.

G11 – USF 71 Winona State 57 -  Matt Cartwright scored 24 points, Chase Grinde had his first career double (14 points, 14 rebounds) and Luke Healy scored 13 off the bench to lead USF past Winona State (6-4, 2-3 NSIC), 71-57, in NSIC South Division play at the Stewart Center. The Cougars also defeated the Warriors for the fourth straight time and now own a 10-7 series advantage. Grinde, a junior guard from Spring Grove, Minn., had a career-high 14 rebounds, including 12 on the defensive glass. On 6-of-11 shooting, including a triple, he had 14 points along with three assists in 31 minutes on the floor. In his 47th double-digit scoring game, Cartwright of Sioux Falls, S.D., had 24 points on 9-of-23 shooting from the floor, adding a pair of triples and two assists. In his first game for USF, Healy, a freshman from Hudson, Wisc., stepped up. With two starters out, Healy had 13 points and four rebounds with two assists, two steals and a blocked shot. He was 4-of-7 from the floor, including 1-of-2 from three-point range and 4-of-4 at the foul line. The Cougars owned a commanding 44-to-30 rebounds margin with 11 off the offensive glass as Slater had three offensive boards. As a result, USF had a 15-to-2 margin in second-chance points. USF, which had a 19-to-3 margin in bench points, also used the break to its advantage to the tune of 9-to-2. After trailing by 11 points (23-12) with 10:26 to play in the first half, USF closed on an 18-to-11 run to draw within, 34-30, at the break. Then in the second half, USF dominated the boards to a tune of 29-to-13 and outshot WSU, 42.4 percent (14-of-33), to 31.0 percent (9-of-29) to outscore the Warriors, 41-23. 

G12 - Minnesota State 81 USF 63 -- A short-handed University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (6-6, 2-4 NSIC) dropped an 81-63 decision to Minnesota State (8-3, 3-3 NSIC) at the Taylor Center at Bresnan Arena on Dec. 17. USF, which had two starters out, was led by a pair of players who reached career-bests. Senior forward Marko Coudreau scored 13 points for his top mark at USF and junior Will Kondrat reached double-digits for the first time at USF with a team-high 14 points. USF, which was outscored, 48-23, in the first half after shooting just 25 percent, outscored MSU, 40-33, in the second half to cut the deficit to 81-63. In the final 20 minutes, the Cougars hit on 17-of-32 field goals for 53.1 percent.

G13 -- USF 80 Concordia St. Paul 69 -- Led by sophomore guard Jack Thompson with 17 points and 12 from redshirt freshman Jake Kettner, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (7-6, 3-4 NSIC) closed 2021 with a road win in an 80-69 decision over Concordia St. Paul (1-12, 0-7 NSIC) at the Gangelhoff Center on Dec. 18. Overall, USF, despite missing two starters, had a balanced attack with 10 players putting points on the board and eight players scoring six or more. The Cougars had a 20-10 run in the first half to move to a 38-25 lead before extending the margin to 46-28 at the half-time break. CSP outscored USF, 41-34, in the second half but the Cougars maintained a double-digit lead for most half in defeating the Golden Bears for a ninth straight time dating to 2017. For the game, the Cougars hit 26-of-66 shots for 39.4 percent with 6-of-19 from three-point range for 31.6 percent. USF, which made 22-of-27 free throws for 81.5 percent, dominated the boards at a 47-30 margin and committed just 10 turnovers. The Cougars also shared the ball with 16 assists on 26 made baskets.

G14 -- USF 72 SMSU 71 -- Jack Thompson scored a career-high 34 points and led a 10-4 rally in overtime to lift USF (8-6, 4-4 NSIC) to a come-from-behind 72-71 win over Southwest Minnesota State (8-5, 4-4 NSIC) in NSIC South Division play on Sunday, Jan. 2 at the R/A Facility in Marshall, Minn. For the game, Thompson hit 8-of-21 field goals, including 2-of-4 from three-point range, while knocking in 16-of-19 foul shots. He also had four rebounds, three assists and four steals in his career-best performance. Thompson scored 15 points straight for USF at one point in the second half and scored 28 overall after halftime. His previous career-best was 27 vs Minnesota State on Jan. 31, 2021. However Thompson beat that total in second half and overtime as he averaged better than a point a minute in those 25 minutes to play. After trailing 24-15 in the first half, USF closed with a 12-6 run to draw within, 30-27, at the break. In the second half, USF had a 33-30 edge over SMSU as the game was tied at 60 to force overtime. In the extra session, USF had a 12-11 advantage to earn the hard-fought win. Also for USF, junior guard Chase Grinde added 10 points and eight rebounds with two assists, two steals and two blocks in 39 minutes. Noah Puetz, who made his second career start, added a career-high 11 points and three rebounds with two steals. He hit a clutch three-pointer in the final two minutes of overtime to help USF rally for the win.   

G15 -- Northern State 79 USF 72 -- For the second straight game, USF was led in scoring by sophomore guard Jack Thompson, who had 21 points, including 4-of-5 from three-point range, but fell at Northern State, 79-72. Thompson also had six rebounds, two assists and two steals in 31 minutes on the floor. Matt Cartwright recorded his 48th double digit scoring game, including 11 at USF, by scoring 16 points, adding four rebounds and three assists. Junior guard Chase Grinde had his 44th career double digit scoring game with 15 points, four rebounds. USF also had 11 rebounds from Austin Slater, who added five points and four assists. It is Slater's 10th double-digit rebound game of his career.  USF, which had a 21-13 lead in the first half, had a one-point edge at halftime at 25-24 but NSU outscored, USF, 55-47 in the second half as both teams shot the ball extremely effectively. The key to the game was at the foul line where NSU had a 34-to-10 advantage even though USF had a 27-to-21 margin in field goals.  

Player Profiles – Inside look - Thompson named NSIC Player of the Week

Senior forward Matt Cartwright is averaging a league-best 20.6 points and 3.5 rebounds with 11 double-digit (12, 29, 28, 28, 19, 17, 22, 32, 31, 24, 16) scoring games. Cartwright (268 total points) has scored 28 or more points in six games and has seven 20-point games this season and 17 in his career. He is hitting 96-of-220 for 43.6 percent from the field and 39-of-101 from three-point range for 38.6 percent, a total which is third in the NSIC. His 39 triples and 3.0 threes per game ranks third in the NSIC. He is also hitting 37-of-47 (78.7 %) from the foul line. During his career at USF and Augustana, Cartwright has 1,085 points and has made 47 starts in 84 games. He also has 183 career threes and 258 rebounds along with 102 assists and 51 steals. His career-high is 37 points against Minnesota Crookston in 2018-19 with a high of 32 points at USF against Wayne State on Dec. 4. He has totaled 48 double-digit scoring games with 17 of 20 points or more and three over 30. Cartwright is tied for first in the NSIC with seven made threes in a game vs Upper Iowa, 12/10/2021; and his six threes from No. 1 Northwest Missouri State on 1113/2021 is tied for seventh.

Sophomore guard Jack Thompson is supplying 14.7 points per game, 3.1 rebounds,  4.6 assists,  and 1.3 steals. He ranks first in the NSIC with an assist/turnover ratio of 3.5 and is third with 4.6 assists per game. Thompson had a career-high 34 points in a 72-71 overtime win over SMSU on Jan. 2 and was named the NSIC South Division Player of the Week for the first time in his career. In the game, he scored 15 straight points and had 28 in the second half. It is the most points in a half by a player since Jordan Stotts had 32 (34 overall) against Upper Iowa in 2013.  Thompson has hit 40.8 percent from the field (69-of-169) with 34.7 percent from three-point range (17-of-49)  and 76.6 percent (36-of-47). An honorable mention All-NSIC in 2019-20, he has started 46-of-54 games with 29 career double-digit scoring games with 12 starts in 13 games this season He had a career-best five triples against Augustana on Jan. 4, 2020. He also has high of nine assists against Dakota State on Nov. 16, 2021. He has scored 619 career points, including 191 this season.  

Junior guard Chase Grinde, who has 44 double-digit scoring games and six 20-point games, is supplying 10.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Grinde, who has 898 career points (162 in 2021-22) had a season-high 24 points against Chadron State. His career-high is 29 against MSU Moorhead on Feb. 8, 2020 and five times has registered nine rebounds in a game. With 14 points and a career-high 14 rebounds against Winona State on Dec. 11, 2021, he had his first-career double-double. His career-best in assists is eight against Minot State.  Grinde has 456 career rebounds, 74 made three-pointers, 202 assists, and 92 steals. 

Freshman guard Jake Kettner is averaging 8.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. Kettner, who has five double-digit scoring games in 2021-22, has hit 20-of-58 (34.5%) from the three-point range. Kettner has 13 starts in 27 career games with 193 career points.  Kettner had a career-high of 19 points against Chadron State on Nov. 19, 2021. He also has a high of eight rebounds against Upper Iowa on Jan. 8, 2021, and six assists against Augustana on Feb. 13, 2021.  He has six double-digit scoring games in his career. 

Senior center Austin Slater, who has a career total of five double-doubles and 15 double-digit scoring and 12 double-digit rebound games, is supplying 3.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. In his career, Slater has totaled 570 points and 605 rebounds,. He has 43 blocked shots, 38 steals and made 17-of-60 from the three-point range for 28.3 percent. Slater has made 63 starts and played in a team-high 115 games.

Junior guard Cedric Johnson is averaging 3.6 points (40) and 2.6 rebounds with 1.1 assists per game.  He has a high of 14 points at USF and 18 vs Pittsburg State on Jan. 21.2021 while playing at Nebraska-Kearney.  

Austin Olson has played in 10 games and is averaging 1.0 points and 0.7 rebounds. He has scored eight points including making a pair of three-pointers with a career high of six points at Concordia St. Paul on Dec. 18, 2021.  

Noah Puetz is averaging 3.4 points and 2.3 rebounds this season with a career-high of 11 points at SMSU on Jan. 2, 2022. He has played 21 career games with three starts and totaled 65 points. Puetz has one double-digit game. His high in rebounds is five at Augustana and at Northern State. 

Senior forward Marko Coudreau, who averages 3.7 points and 1.1 rebounds, in 14 games with three starts, has scored 123 career points and 83 while at USF. In his career, he is 46-of-102 from the field for 41.1 percent and 17-of-49 for 34.7 percent from three-point range. He has a career-best of 13 points, including his best of three, three-point shots at Minnesota State on Dec. 17, 2021. 

Will Kondradt is a junior forward who is averaging 3.4 points and 1.1 rebounds this year. He has made one start in 11 games while hitting 14-of-23 field goals for 60.9 percent. His career-best is 14 points at Minnesota State on Dec. 17, 2021 when she also had his career-best of six rebounds. 

In four games this season, freshman guard Luke Healy has averaged 6.6 points and 1.4 rebounds. He is 12-of-27 from the field for 44.4 percent and made 3-of-8 from three-point range with 6-of-7 from the foul line for 85.7 percent. He had a career-high of 13 points in his first game and first start at USF on Dec. 11, 2021. He also had four rebounds and a career-best four field goals in the game. 

Mason Steele is averaging 3.3 points and 2.8 rebounds this season. In six career games, he has 17 points and 14 rebounds. He had a high of five points at Minnesota State on Dec. 17, 2021.

Carson Rentz has scored eight points (2.7 per game) in three games. He has a high of five points at Minnesota State on Dec. 17, 2021. He is 2-of-6 from 3-point range.