Skip To Main Content

University of Sioux Falls Athletics

Scoreboard

Scoreboard

Adam Scherbakov lines up a three-point shot
Jurgens Photography
64
Doane Doane 0-1
104
Winner Sioux Falls USF 5-2,1-0 NSIC
Doane Doane
0-1
64
Final
104
Sioux Falls USF
5-2,1-0 NSIC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Doane Doane 27 37 64
Sioux Falls USF 45 59 104

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Clint Neumann

Record-Breaking Performance: Cougars Dazzle with 36 Assists in Big Win

36 assist record graphic


 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The University of Sioux Falls (5-2, 1-0 NSIC) shared the ball at an elite level, breaking the school record with 36 assists in their decisive 104-64 victory over Doane University (5-4, 0-2 GPAC). The Cougars showcased their depth, with 12 players scoring in a game they controlled from start to finish. Noah Puetz led the team with 16 points and 6 assists. Coming off the bench, Adam Scherbakov made a significant impact, sinking 4 three-pointers in just 13 minutes of play. Shawn Warrior narrowly missed a double-double, finishing just one rebound short during his 24 minutes on the court. 

1st Half

After a lightning-quick start, the Cougars seized control of the game against Doane. An assist from Kyle Ingwerson set up Noah Puetz for the first points, with Creighton Morisch quickly following by sealing off his defender for an easy two at the rim. Breaking free in transition, Shawn Warrior extended the lead to 7-2 with an uncontested bucket. Defensive pressure paid off when Kenji Scales' steal found Warrior for another fast break score. Exploiting an overaggressive defender, Scales then cut backdoor for a smooth layup from Morisch. With relentless hustle, Warrior grabbed an offensive rebound and quickly found Morisch underneath for another easy basket. Despite the Cougars' momentum, Doane managed to hang tough, trailing 13-8.
 
The offensive onslaught continued as Ingwerson grabbed his own missed shot for a putback. Moments later, Morisch tipped in another rebound, forcing Doane to call a timeout as the Cougars pushed to 17-8. A brief scoring lull followed, broken when Warrior finished a possession after four grueling USF offensive rebounds. Crisp perimeter passing then created an open look for Taylen Ashley, who drilled a three-pointer. Trailing the play perfectly, Ingwerson found himself wide open for a three that extended the lead to 25-8 and prompted another Doane timeout.

Morisch kept the pressure on by drawing a foul and sinking a free throw, capping a 13-0 run. Puetz added to the scoring with a free throw and then assisted Brandon Hrncir's first basket, pushing the lead to 31-10. From the corner, Scales added insult to injury with another three-pointer. Free throws came easily for Morisch, while a steal by Ingwerson sprung Hrncir for a quick transition layup. Completely unguarded under the basket, Hrncir extended the lead to 40-19. A crafty dribble move allowed Puetz to finger roll through the net, and Ingwerson found himself open for yet another three-pointer.

At halftime, the scoreboard told the full story: Sioux Falls led 45-27, having dominated every statistical category. The Cougars had outrebounded Doane 25-11, shot an impressive 18-37, and made 5 three-pointers. Thirteen second-chance points and 11 points off turnovers complemented their 26-12 advantage in the paint.

2nd Half

It took 10 seconds for the Cougars to continue their offensive attack, when a ball screen set up Ingwerson for a wing three from Puetz. A long rebound by Ashley sparked a fast break, zipping the ball to Warrior, who blew past defenders for a basket. Finding Warrior alone under the hoop, Puetz delivered for another easy layup. Aggressive transition play saw Puetz draw a foul and sink a free throw. Moments later, Scales' second steal found him for a fast break layup, pushing the lead to 55-31. A well-executed set allowed Warrior to return the favor, finding Puetz for an equally easy basket. Another Warrior steal led to a fast break, this time with Scales assisting Ashley for the score. Puetz later took advantage of a short closeout to hit a wing three-pointer. Patience paid off for Ashley coming off a ball screen, setting up Hrncir for a wide-open layup. Utilizing his speed, Warrior breezed by his defender for another layup, extending the lead to 66-37 with 14:48 remaining.
 
Emerging from the break, Scales made an incredible finish through a flagrant foul off Josh Baker's assist. The next inbounds play saw Jacoby Mehrman finding Hrncir in the lane for a layup. Baker then jabbed his defender, slicing through the defense for two points. Scherbakov got on the board when he launched a corner three and began celebrating with his teammates before the ball swished through the net. Jacob Taitte bullied his way to a jumper just outside the lane, with Scherbakov following up with another three to double the Tigers' deficit to 80-40.
 
Hustle plays continued as Hrncir grabbed an offensive rebound and sank two free throws. Dylan Ruder's back screen left him open for a left-wing three-pointer. Taitte's drive past his defender added another layup. A brief scoring drought ended when Ruder's pick-and-pop three extended the lead to 90-45.
 
After a few Tiger baskets, Scherbakov drilled another three with a hand in his face. A Baker steal led to Scherbakov getting fouled and hitting a free throw. Playing quarterback from the short corner, Ruder found Sam Grant cutting for a layup. Scherbakov stayed hot, hitting another three to push the lead to 99-54. A steal and quick pass to Taitte resulted in a thunderous slam on the fast break. Grant closed out the scoring when defenders overcommitted to Scherbakov, leaving him open in the corner.
 
The final score: 104-64 Cougars. Nine three-pointers in the second half, a 25-13 rebounding advantage, and efficient transition highlighted this half.

Key Team Stats

  • Sharing the Ball: SCHOOL RECORD 36 assists on 41 made field goals.
  • Bench Scoring: In a game that provided ample time for all dressed Cougar players, the bench was able to contribute 51 points.
  • Points in the Paint: Whether in transition or the half court, the Cougars took advantage of easy points at the rim, outscoring the Tigers 52-30 in the paint.
  • Points off Turnover: The Cougars were able to turn 11 steals into 26 points.
  • Rebounding: Sioux Falls owned the rebounding category, with a 50-24 advantage. USF had 22 offensive rebounds alone.

Key Coo

Up Next

The Cougars will get back to conference play, with matchups against Concordia-St. Paul and Minnesota-Duluth next weekend. Sioux Falls takes on the Golden Bears Friday, at 7:30 pm and the Bulldogs Saturday, at 5:30 pm, both in the Stewart Center following the women's matchups.
 
For all things USF Men's Basketball, be sure to download the USF Cougars app as well as follow along on Instagram and Twitter!
 
Print Friendly Version