RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Cougars faced offensive struggles and faltered in the fourth quarter, resulting in a 70-51 loss to Black Hills State. This concludes their weekend in Rapid City as part of the East/West Challenge.
1st Quarter
USF won the opening tip, and Aby Phipps quickly got the Cougars on the board with a layup and a pair of free throws, tying the game at 4-4. Kami Wadsworth followed with a layup, but the Yellow Jackets responded with a four-point run, leaving the Cougars trailing 10-6 at the first media timeout. Ayla Brown scored her first basket following the timeout, and Wadsworth added two more buckets before the quarter ended. However, the Cougars couldn't keep pace with the Yellow Jackets, who led 17-12 after the first quarter.
2nd Quarter
Black Hills opened the second quarter with two quick scores before Brown connected from deep, keeping the Cougars within striking distance at 15-21. Anna Vaaler followed with a three-pointer on the next possession, cutting the lead to three. Phipps maintained the momentum with a layup, and Madison Wuebben added a fast-break layup sparked by a Wadsworth steal. This forced Black Hills to call their first timeout, holding onto a slim one-point lead.
Out of the timeout, Black Hills responded with five straight points on free throws and a layup before Wadsworth nailed a jumper with 2:24 remaining in the half. The Yellow Jackets extended their lead to eight with two additional layups, but Phipps countered with free throws and a bucket under the hoop, trimming the deficit to 28-34. However, Black Hills struck again with a three-pointer in the final minute, sending the Cougars into halftime trailing 28-35.
The Cougars struggled offensively in the first half, shooting just 32.3% from the field and 16.7% (2-of-12) from beyond the arc. In contrast, Black Hills State was highly efficient, converting 13-of-27 attempts for an impressive 48.1% from the floor.
3rd Quarter
Vaaler opened the second half by sinking a three-pointer to trim the deficit to four, but the Yellow Jackets quickly responded with a three of their own. Wadsworth followed up with a layup and then knocked down a three-pointer to keep the game close at 36-40. However, a free throw and another three-pointer from Black Hills prompted a USF timeout to halt their momentum.
The timeout proved effective, as Wuebben drained a three-pointer off a kick-out pass from Wadsworth. Brown added a free throw, and Megan Fannin's three-pointer kept USF within striking distance at 43-48. Black Hills continued to find the basket, adding two more scores before Dani Minsaas hit a jumper on the final possession of the quarter, sending the Cougars into the fourth trailing 45-52.
4th Quarter
The final quarter proved challenging for the Cougars, who managed just one field goal—a jump shot by Fannin with 7:11 remaining. The team added four free throws but struggled to generate further offense, being outscored 18-6 in the period. The Yellow Jackets took full advantage, securing a 70-51 victory.
Despite a more efficient third quarter, the Cougars ended the second half with a field goal percentage of just 29.1%. Black Hills controlled the boards, out-rebounding the Cougars 21-9 in the half, and maintained their dominance throughout the game.
Key Team Stats
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Field Goal Percentage: Although the Cougars attempted nine more shots than the Yellow Jackets, they struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 31.0% from the field and 6-of-24 (25.0%) from beyond the arc. In contrast, Black Hills State was highly efficient, shooting 26-of-49 (53.1%) from the floor and an impressive 14-of-15 (93.3%) from the free throw line.
Key Coo
Up Next
The Cougars will return to the Stewart Center this week to take on Augustana. The matchup is scheduled for Thursday, November 21st, at 7:00 p.m.
For all things USF Women's Basketball, be sure to download the USF Cougars app as well as follow along on Instagram and Twitter!
