SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Cougars were unable to contain Black Hills State's offense this evening, falling 70-89. The Yellow Jackets were efficient from the floor, shooting 54% while making 11 threes at a 45.8% clip.

1st Half

The Cougars opened the night with a strong offensive showing, but Black Hills State proved to be a persistent challenge throughout the first half. Shawn Warrior got things started with a reverse layup, and the USF offense kept rolling as Noah Puetz created a second chance that led to a Taylen Ashley three-pointer. Creighton Morisch added to the early success, taking his defender off the dribble for a layup.
 
The hot shooting continued when Kyle Ingwerson connected from deep, carrying over his momentum from the previous game. Puetz followed suit with a three of his own and added a skilled post move on the next possession. Despite USF's efficient start, the Yellow Jackets kept pace, trailing just 15-11 at the first media timeout.
 
Black Hills State found their rhythm coming out of the break, putting together six straight points to take the lead. While Kenji Scales evened things up at the free-throw line, and Morisch later put USF back in front with both a turnaround jumper and a nice feed to Warrior for a dunk, the Yellow Jackets responded with a 10-0 run that forced a Cougar timeout.
 
Ingwerson's put-back basket stopped the run, but Black Hills State maintained control. Though Puetz continued to work effectively in the post and at the free-throw line, and Morisch found ways to score, the Yellow Jackets had an answer for every Cougar basket. A goaltending call at the buzzer gave USF their final points of the half, but they headed to the break trailing 37-52. 

2nd Half

The Cougars emerged from halftime with renewed defensive intensity, forcing turnovers on the first two possessions. Puetz capitalized quickly with a strong finish for the first points of the half, and Morisch followed with two free throws to match a Black Hills State bucket. Though USF's defense continued to create opportunities, a turnover in transition slowed their momentum. Warrior and Ashley each earned trips to the free-throw line, converting one apiece, but the Yellow Jackets responded with a layup and three-pointer to extend their lead to 43-59. Ashley answered back, drilling a three from the top of the key, and Puetz added another crafty post move off the glass to bring the deficit to 48-61 at the media timeout.
 
Despite generating several defensive stops, the Cougars struggled to capitalize due to turnovers. Ingwerson provided a spark with a three, but Black Hills State maintained their advantage at 51-66 with ten minutes remaining.
 
The Yellow Jackets struck first coming out of the break, but USF showed signs of life. Sam Grant got on the scoreboard with a put-back, and Ashley pushed the pace for an uncontested layup. The defensive effort continued to improve, leading to a Warrior-to-Morisch connection that cut the lead to 57-68. However, Black Hills State quickly responded with a 6-0 run, pushing their advantage to 57-74.
 
Though Warrior contributed from the free-throw line and Brandon Hrncir drove for a basket, the Yellow Jackets had an answer for every score. Scaales found his rhythm late, connecting on a mid-range jumper and an open three-pointer, but Black Hills State's offense proved too potent. Josh Baker added a reverse layup in the closing minutes, but the Yellow Jackets' efficient shooting and excellent ball movement in both half-court sets and transition proved too much for the Cougars as they fell 70-89.

Key Team Stats

• Field Goals: The Yellow Jackets only got up one more shot that the Cougars, but connected on 54% of their attempts to Sioux Falls' 40.3%.
• Points in the Paint: The Cougars were outscored in the paint 32-44, where black hills was able to capitalize on some easy baskets.
• Rebounds: The Cougars were able to outrebound Black Hills in the game, 37-34 with 14 of those coming on the offensive side of the ball.

Key Coo

• Noah Puetz: 15 points (4-4 FT), 5 rebounds.
• Creighton Morisch: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
• Shawn Warrior: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
• Taylen Ashley: 9 points, 4 rebounds

Up Next

The Cougars will return home for their battle with the Augustana Vikings on Tuesday, November 26^th at 7:00pm in the Stewart Center.
 
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