DULUTH, MINN. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball Team, which had a season-high 23 points from Krystal Carlson, had a late rally come up short in dropping a 76-66 decision to Minnesota Duluth (16-4, 14-2 NSIC) on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 29) at Romano Gym.

With the setback, the Cougars fall into third place at 8-6 just a half-game behind Concordia St. Paul at 9-6 and second place in the NSIC South. The two teams will face each other Friday at 5:30 pm at the Stewart Center. USF will also host South leader Minnesota State (11-4) on Saturday at 3:30 pm at the Stewart Center.

Carlson reached 20 points for the fourth time in her career and tied her second-highest scoring game with 23 points. She also now has 22 career double-digit scoring games.  Carlson was 8-of-17 from the field and 7-of-7 at the foul line while adding four rebounds and a steal. For the 16^th time in her career, Megan Fannin reached double digits with 19 points, including 3-of-6 from the three-point range. She also had three rebounds, assists and a steal. Also for USF, Sydney White had eight points off the bench with four rebounds and two assists. Junior guard Dallie Hoskinson added five points, four assists and three steals to go with a game-high nine rebounds.

Both teams came out with a lot of offense in the opening quarter as UMD led USF, 22-20. In the second quarter, UMD had an 18-15 margin for a 40-35 halftime lead. UMD took a 60-47 lead after three quarters after outscoring USF, 20-12. In the fourth quarter, USF outpointed UMD, 19-16, and at one point cut the lead to five points. However, UMD fought off the USF challenge by making free throws down the stretch for their fifth straight win against USF.

For the game, USF finished 25-of-64 for 39.1 percent and made just 5-of-15 from the three-point range for 33.3 percent. The Cougars converted 11-of-15 foul shots and recorded 10 steals as they forced 16 UMD turnovers. However, UMD, which was led by Brooke Olson with 18 points and Maesyn Thiessen with 13, was on fire all night as they hit 25-of-44 field goals for 56.8 percent and hit on 10-of-17 from three-point range for 58.8 percent. In addition, they were 16-of-20 at the foul line with a 31-27 rebound margin.

The key to the game was UMD's advantage off the bench with 30 points to just 15 for USF. Those bench points, including substitutes missing just one shot, and a difference of 10-to-5 in made threes gave UMD a big advantage. USF was able to take advantage of turnovers and had a 16-to-11 advantage which enabled the Cougars to rally. In total, USF had 20 more shots but UMD shot nearly 57 percent while USF was just above 439 percent.

Scoring Summary --
Both teams came out firing in the first quarter with the Bulldogs grabbing a 22-20 lead at the break. USF was led by Carlson with eight points on 3-of-5 shooting while Fannin hit a pair of triples. The Cougars made 8-of-19 field goals for 42.1 percent and were 2-of-4 on three-point shots. UMD made 8-of-12 shots for 66.7 percent and hit on 4-of-6 three points shots while owning a 9-6 rebound edge.
UMD opens the game with a pair of triples and grabs a 6-2 lead over USF with 8:48 to play. But Brecli Honner answered with an offensive board and lay-up to draw USF within 6-4. Then, Hoskinson hit a jumper followed by two field goals from Carlson as USF took a 10-8 lead. Fannin knocked home a triple for a 13-10 lead at the 5:15 mark. After UMD responded with a pair of triples for a 22-18 lead, Carlson was fouled and her free throws cut the lead to 22-20 at the break.

By halftime, the two teams had put up solid numbers on offense. UMD took a 40-35 lead as they made 14-of-21 field goals for 66.7 percent and was 7-of-9 from the three-point range. UMD had a 15-to-11 rebound edge but USF's ability to force turnovers proved critical. USF had seven steals and UMD 11 turnovers with USF taking a 9-to-5 advantage in points from turnovers. USF had a 14-to-12 margin in points in the paint at 14-to-12. The key for UMD was a 7-to-4 differential in made three-pointers.

USF had a solid shooting first half by knocking down 14-of-34 field goals for 41.2 percent and was effective from beyond the arc with 4-of-8 conversions for 40 percent.

Early in the second quarter, Madelyn Granica, who had 11 points off the bench, hit her third straight three-point shot for a 27-22 lead. However, Fannin and Hoskinson responded with jumpers to cut the lead to one point at 27-26.

UMD's Brooke Olson hit a three at the 5:54 mark and UMD pushed the advantage to 35-26. USF responded as sophomore Madison Birnbaum and Fannin both connected from three-point range to cut the deficit to 35-32 with 4:20 to play.  After UMD had a 38-32 lead, USF had a three-point play with 18 seconds left by Carlson as the Cougars stayed close at the break (40-35).

Early in the third quarter, Fannin connected as USF cut the lead to 40-37 (9:12). Down seven, Kiara James hit a pair of foul shots as the Cougars trailed, 46-41.  UMD's Kaylee Nelson made a three for a 51-41 lead before but Brecli Honner converted inside as USF trailed, 51-43.  By the end of the quarter, UMD had closed on a 9-4 run to take a 60-47 lead to the break. USF hit just 4-of-13 field goals for 30.8 percent and missed all four of its three-point shots. UMD was 6-of-10 for 60 percent and made 2-of-4 from the three-point range.

In the fourth quarter, after USF cut the lead to 62-51, UMD's Kaylee Nelson hit her third three of the game for a 65-51 lead. Sydney White scored a pair of baskets to help USF draw within 67-57 with 6:30 to play. Then, White hit a triple as the Cougars drew within, 67-61 at the 4:50 mark. But the Bulldogs used offensive put-backs on consecutive possessions to push the lead back to 10 (71-61). Hoskinson made a free throw and a steal by Hoskinson and a basket from Fannin plus a lay-up by Carlson cut UMD's lead to 71-66 with 2:04 left.  However, USF was unable to draw any closer as the Bulldogs converted at the line.