Jurgens Photography

Box Score

Sioux Falls USF 6-5,2-2 NSIC

Winona St. WSU 6-4,2-2 NSIC

Sioux Falls USF

6-5,2-2 NSIC

Final

Dec. 13, 2024

Winona St. WSU

6-4,2-2 NSIC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	3	4	F
Sioux Falls USF	13	17	25	15	70
Winona St. WSU	30	31	17	5	83

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | 12/13/2024 7:26:00 PM | Clint Neumann

Strong Second Half Not Enough as Sioux Falls Falls to Winona State

Next Game:

at Minnesota State

12/14/2024 | 5:30 p.m.

Next Game

Full Schedule

Dec. 14 (Sat) / 5:30 p.m.

at Minnesota State

History

Recap
Roster

WINONA, MINN. – The Sioux Falls Cougars fell to the Winona State Warriors, 83-70, in an NSIC matchup on Friday evening. Despite trailing big early, the Cougars showed resilience with a strong second half, led by Kami Wadsworth's 20 points and Alexis Rose's team-high 22.

1st Quarter

The game began with Sioux Falls struggling to find an offensive rhythm against a red-hot Winona State squad. The Cougars managed to score 13 points, with a balanced effort across the roster, but they were hampered by turnovers and struggled to contain Winona State's efficient shooting. The Warriors hit five three-pointers in the opening frame and took advantage of Sioux Falls' early foul trouble, scoring on second-chance opportunities and capitalizing on transition plays. Despite some promising moments, such as Kami Wadsworth's strong drives to the basket, Sioux Falls ended the quarter trailing 30-13, needing to tighten up defensively and limit turnovers moving forward.

2nd Quarter

Sioux Falls came out more composed in the second quarter, however, Winona State's shooters remained dialed in, adding 31 points to their total. The Cougars did a better job of drawing fouls and converting from the free-throw line, going 8-for-10, which helped them stay within reach. Alexis Rose stepped up with timely contributions, while the team worked to spread the ball more effectively. Still, defensive lapses allowed the Warriors to maintain a comfortable lead. Sioux Falls entered halftime trailing significantly, with the scoreboard showing 61-30 in favor of Winona State.

3rd Quarter

The Cougars came out of the halftime break with renewed energy. They delivered their best quarter of the night, scoring 25 points and showing flashes of the team's offensive potential. Sioux Falls found success from beyond the arc, with Wadsworth and Rose connecting on three-pointers to spark the offense. Defensively, the Cougars improved, forcing several turnovers and converting them into fast-break opportunities. Their work in the paint also paid off, with Wadsworth leading the charge on aggressive drives and layups. While Winona State still found ways to score, Sioux Falls managed to outscore them in the quarter, closing the gap to 78-55 heading into the final frame.

4th Quarter

In the final period, Sioux Falls continued to battle, but the deficit proved too steep to overcome. The Cougars scored 15 points in the quarter, with contributions from their bench. Despite their best efforts to mount a comeback, Winona State managed the clock effectively and held Sioux Falls to limited fast-break opportunities. Defensively, Sioux Falls clamped down, allowing just five points in the quarter—their best defensive effort of the night. However, the earlier damage proved insurmountable, and the game concluded with an 83-70 victory for Winona State.

Key Team Stats

Points in the Paint: Sioux Falls scored 28 points in the paint, showing their ability to score inside.

Free Throw Efficiency: The Cougars capitalized on their opportunities at the line, shooting 15-of-19 (78.9%), which helped them stay competitive.

Three-Point Shooting: Sioux Falls struggled early but improved in the second half, finishing with seven made three-pointers.

Turnovers and Points Off: Turnovers were a challenge, with 11 for the Cougars, leading to 15 points for Winona State.

Defensive Second Half: Sioux Falls held Winona State to just five points in the fourth quarter, showing significant defensive improvement late in the game.