MARSHALL, MINN. - The Sioux Falls Cougars (6-7, 2-5 NSIC) faced off against #24 Southwest Minnesota State (10-3, 5-2 NSIC) at the R/A Facility, ending in a tough 84-72 loss despite a career performance from Noah Puetz.  

1st Half 

The Cougars started the game with energy but struggled to find consistency on the offensive end. Shooting 34.3% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range in the first half, USF found themselves working hard to keep pace. SMSU's defense made scoring in the paint a challenge, forcing the Cougars to rely heavily on outside shooting. 

Despite the offensive struggles, Sioux Falls stayed competitive thanks to their hustle on the boards. The team grabbed six offensive rebounds, leading to nine second-chance points that kept the game within reach. Puetz, starting to warm up, hit a key three-pointer to provide a spark, while Creighton Morisch contributed with timely buckets and rebounds. At the break, the Cougars trailed 36-28, setting the stage for a critical second-half rally.  

2nd Half 

The second half saw a much-improved offensive effort from the Cougars, highlighted by a remarkable performance from Noah Puetz. The redshirt senior forward exploded for a career-high 28 points, including seven three-pointers, showcasing his ability to hit shots from deep. Puetz also played a pivotal role defensively and on the glass, recording 10 rebounds to complete his double-double. 

Sioux Falls shot a stellar 60% from the field and 46.2% from three in the second half, effectively closing the gap on SMSU at several key moments. Morisch continued to play a vital role, finishing with 14 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Shawn Warrior added playmaking with nine points, seven rebounds, and six assists. 

Despite the improved offensive execution, the Cougars were unable to contain SMSU's balanced attack, which saw four players score in double digits. SMSU capitalized on turnovers and converted at the free-throw line, pulling away in the final minutes to secure the win. 

Key Team Stats 

• Team Shooting: Sioux Falls shot 45.0% from the field and 37.0% from three-point range, with a strong second half improving their efficiency. 

• Rebounding: The Cougars grabbed 36 rebounds, including 10 offensive, leading to 17 second-chance points. 

• Assists: USF tallied 17 assists, with Morisch and Warrior leading the playmaking efforts. 

• Bench Contributions: The Cougar bench outscored SMSU's 33-10, largely fueled by Puetz's career night. 

Key Coo 

• Noah Puetz: Career-high 28 points, shooting an efficient 9-14 from the field and 7-9 from three-point range. He also secured 10 rebounds for a double-double, along with 2 assists and 2 steals. 

• Creighton Morisch: Delivered a balanced performance with 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. 

• Shawn Warrior: Contributed 9 points, 7 rebounds and a team-high and assists (6). 

Up Next 

The Cougars will come back from Christmas break to take on the Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles. That game will be take place in Crookston, January 4th in Lysaker Gymnasium at 5:30pm. 
 
 

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