Match Recap:
RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Cougars hit the road, traveling west on I-90 to face South Dakota Mines in the opening game of the East/West Challenge. Sioux Falls made a statement with a commanding 78-47 victory which included big time performances from Kami Wadsworth and Dani Minsaas.
1st Quarter
The Cougars and Hardrockers struggled to find baskets early on in the first quarter. Kami Wadsworth was a bright spot offensively, scoring the first eight points for the Cougars, including four in the paint and two mid-range jumpers. The teams traded baskets throughout the quarter. Megan Fannin added a layup for Sioux Falls, helping the Cougars close the quarter with a slim 10-9.
2nd Quarter
Sioux Falls found their rhythm in the second quarter, knocking down a variety of shots. Ayla Brown opened the scoring with a layup off an assist from Dani Minsaas, then returned the favor by finding Minsaas for a three-pointer in transition. Brown added another layup shortly after, prompting an early timeout from South Dakota Mines as the Cougars extended their lead to 17-11.
The Cougars kept rolling, with Minsaas adding points at the rim and the free-throw line, followed by another Wadsworth layup to push the lead to 22-11. Gracie Traphagen chipped in with a free throw, and Minsaas tallied five straight points to grow the advantage to 28-15. Wadsworth then found Aby Phipps for an uncontested layup with 3:53 remaining, forcing another Hardrocker timeout with the score at 30-15.
South Dakota Mines answered with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 30-22, but Alexis Rose ended the run with a step-through layup. Minsaas capped off her strong quarter with a corner three, sending the Cougars into halftime with a commanding 35-22 lead.
3rd Quarter
The Cougars came out of halftime determined to maintain their physical play, starting with Wadsworth, who scored an early layup. The Hardrockers managed to stay within reach, but Sioux Falls responded with two free throws by Rose, a three-pointer from Fannin, and another mid-range jumper by Wadsworth to extend their lead to 44-29.
South Dakota Mines had some success in the paint, cutting the lead to 44-33 before the media timeout. However, Wadsworth added two more layups, and Brown scored in transition to push the lead to 50-33, prompting another Mines timeout. Minsaas added two free throws, and Brown capped off the quarter with a layup just before the buzzer, giving Sioux Falls a comfortable 54-33 lead.
4th Quarter
Sioux Falls started slowly in the final period, with their first basket coming at the 7:16 mark on a Brecli Honner and-one. Rose added a free throw, and Wadsworth connected on a three-pointer, stretching the Cougars' lead to 61-40 as the media timeout approached with 4:42 left.
Brown came out of the break and nailed a three from the top of the key off a kick-out pass from Wadsworth. Madison Wuebben scored her first points on bonus free throws, putting Sioux Falls up 66-40. The Cougars stayed hot from the field to close out the game, with Brown adding another layup and Wuebben finishing a pass from Drew Buslee for an easy basket. Brooklyn Harpe's layup was sandwiched between two three-pointers from Landree Wilson, sealing a decisive 78-47 victory for Sioux Falls.
Key Team Stats
Key Coo
Up Next
The Cougars will stay in Rapid City this evening in preparation for their matchup with Black Hills State, which will take place tomorrow, November 15th at 5:00pm (ct) in the King Center.
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