SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Led by Ayla Brown's commanding 26-point performance, the Sioux Falls Cougars claimed a hard-fought 79-72 win against the UMary Marauders Friday evening at the Stewart Center. The victory, fueled by exceptional team play and consistent offensive execution, lifted the Cougars to 10-8 on the season and 6-5 in NSIC competition. Sioux Falls maintained control throughout all four quarters to withstand the Marauders' late comeback attempt. 

1st Quarter:  

Both squads came out firing in an uptempo opening period. The Cougars found their footing partway through the frame behind Ayla Brown's seven-point outburst, highlighted by a three-pointer that gave Sioux Falls its initial advantage. Key bench production emerged early as Alexis Rose and Gracie Traphagen each connected from beyond the arc to maintain the lead. Despite UMary's efforts to counter with their own perimeter shooting, the Cougars emerged with a slim 20-18 edge. 

2nd Quarter: 

Sioux Falls took command in the second, outpacing UMary 25-22 while shooting a blistering 61.1% from the floor. Brown remained unstoppable, pouring in ten more points while finding teammates for two assists. Aby Phipps dominated inside, converting five of her six attempts to grab ten points in the quarter as well. Strong and efficient offense carried Sioux Falls to a 45-40 halftime advantage. 

3rd Quarter:  

The Cougars extended their control after the break, pushing the margin to 14 at its peak. Their interior dominance continued, contributing to a game total of 46 points in the paint, with Brown and Phipps leading the assault. Brown delivered another crucial three-pointer to sustain momentum. Though UMary mounted a brief run, Sioux Falls' active defense created a pair of steals, preserving a 64-55 lead heading into the final period. 

4th Quarter:  

The Marauders mounted a late charge, cutting the deficit to single digits, but Sioux Falls maintained their composure down the stretch. Kami Wadsworth's timely three-pointer halted UMary's momentum, while the defense secured vital stops in crunch time. Rose's steady scoring and rebounding presence proved decisive as the Marauders tried to rally. The Cougars' execution sealed the 79-72 triumph, adding another crucial NSIC victory to their record. 

Key Team Stats 

• Shooting Performance: Displayed remarkable efficiency with 52.4% field goal shooting, converting 33 out of 63 attempts. 

• Three-Point Success: Demonstrated excellent perimeter shooting, hitting 9 of 20 shots from deep for a 45% success rate. 

• Interior Control: Established clear paint dominance with 46 points scored inside, highlighting their strong post presence. 

• Reserve Impact: Second unit delivered vital production with 20 points, showcasing the team's depth. 

• Transition Game: Executed effectively on the break with 8 points in transition, taking advantage of defensive stops. 

Key Coo 

• Ayla Brown: Led all scorers with 26 points on exceptional 11-of-13 shooting, including three triples, plus four assists. 

• Aby Phipps: Controlled the paint with 20 points on 10-of-14 shooting and three rebounds. 

• Alexis Rose: Filled the stat sheet with 12 points, three three-pointers, eight rebounds, and three steals. 

Up Next 

The Cougars will remain in Sioux Falls, where they'll take on the Northern State Wolves tomorrow night at 5:30pm in the Stewart Center. Join us tomorrow night as we celebrate our amazing alumni! 

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