SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Rivalry bragging rights belong to the Cougars tonight! The University of Sioux Falls (3-3, 1-0) powered past Augustana (0-5, 0-1) with a dominant 75-59 victory, securing a statement win to open conference play.

Kami Wadsworth was unstoppable, posting a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the charge. Aby Phipps made her mark in a big, narrowly missing a double-double of her own with 15 points and 9 rebounds.

1st Quarter
It didn't take long for the Cougars to get on the board, scoring on their first possession. Alexis Rose cashed in a triple off an assist from Danielle Minsaas. Augustana answered with back-to-back threes before Aby Phipps laid one in on a wraparound pass from Kami Wadsworth. Rose added another basket, slicing through the defense for a layup to secure a 7-6 lead.

The Vikings battled back with two baskets before Megan Fannin hit a step-back jumper. Anna Vaaler got her first points, nailing a deep three-pointer to reclaim the lead, 12-10. The first media timeout didn't come until 2:50 remained in the quarter.

Out of the break, Minsaas grabbed a key offensive rebound and fed Wadsworth, who buried her defender to score on a layup. Augustana answered with a three, but Wadsworth capitalized on a Rose assist for another easy basket, putting USF up 16-13. After another Vikings basket, Phipps spun through traffic for a layup. However, Augustana scored five unanswered points in the final minute, taking a narrow 20-18 lead into the second quarter.

2nd Quarter
The Cougars struggled to capitalize on early possessions, but Rose attacked in transition, flying past her defender to tie the game. Wadsworth added a free throw before the Vikings responded with another three. Minsaas showed her finesse, using a fake spin to set up a turnaround jumper in the lane.

Despite another Augustana three-pointer, Vaaler answered with a deep three of her own after Brecli Honner snagged an offensive rebound and kicked it out, tying the game at 26-26. Moments later, Ayla Brown got on the board with a pull-up jumper, leaving her defender flat-footed.

The Vikings poured in four unanswered points, but Vaaler hit another open three to reclaim a one-point lead. Both teams continued trading baskets. Phipps sank a turnaround hook shot, and Vaaler came off a ball screen to knock down a pull-up jumper, putting USF ahead 35-31. Vaaler later added a free throw, sending the Cougars into halftime with a 36-31 lead.

USF found their rhythm, outpacing Augustana 18-11 in the second quarter. They shot 41.6% from the field and connected on four three-pointers in the half.

3rd Quarter

The Cougars dominated the start of the third quarter, opening with a 12-0 run. During the stretch, Minsaas scored off her own offensive rebound, and Rose dashed past defenders for a layup on a flip pass from Brown, forcing an Augustana timeout.

Phipps denied the Vikings' momentum with a block, and Rose sank two free throws to put USF up 42-31. Honner intercepted a post-entry pass, sparking a fast break. Rose fed Minsaas, who dished it to Brown for a three-pointer, stretching the lead to 45-31.

Rose then stole the ball and set up Phipps for an and-one putback. After converting the free throw, the Cougars held a commanding 48-31 lead with 6:28 left in the quarter. Augustana finally broke their scoring drought nearly four minutes into the half, following up with a three-pointer to trim the lead to 48-36 at the media timeout.

Out of the break, Fannin drained a corner three off a kick-out pass from Wadsworth. The Cougars weathered a few Vikings baskets as Phipps nailed four free throws in the final two minutes, helping USF maintain a 55-44 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

4th Quarter
Rose continued her aggressive play, using a shot fake to blow past a defender for another layup. Wadsworth hit a three-pointer on a pick-and-pop play, and Brown went full speed for a layup, extending the Cougars' lead to 62-45.

Although Augustana tried to stay close with free throws and a three-pointer, Wadsworth responded with another three off a Rose assist. Brown took advantage of defensive lapses, drawing a foul on a drive and sinking two free throws. Wadsworth added another pair from the stripe after great positioning in the post, giving USF their largest lead of the night at 71-50 with 5:11 left.

The Vikings hit a late three-pointer, but Wadsworth kept control, converting her bonus free throws. Phipps added a putback layup, and Augustana managed a final free throw with 20 seconds left to close the scoring. The Cougars sealed a decisive 75-59 rivalry victory.

USF was perfect from the free-throw line in the second half, going 15-of-15 and finishing the game at 89.5% (17-of-19).

Key Team Stats

• Rebounding: The Cougars outrebounded Augustana 44-32, including an impressive 18 offensive rebounds that led to 24 second-chance points.
• Turnovers: The Cougars forced 20 turnovers while only committing 10 themselves. USF capitalized with 26 points off those turnovers.
• Free Throws: Augustana may have had the better overall shooting percentage, but the Cougars' 17-of-19 performance from the free-throw line proved pivotal in securing a large advantage.

• Kami Wadsworth: 17 points (7-8 FT), 10 rebounds, 3 assists
• Aby Phipps: 15 points (5-5 FT), 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
• Alexis Rose: 13 points, 3 assists, 3 steals
• Anna Vaaler: 12 points (3-6 3PT), 7 rebounds