By: Clint Neumann
Weekend Matchup Preview
The University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball team (10-9, 6-6 NSIC) hits the road this weekend to face two NSIC North Division foes. The Cougars first take on St. Cloud State (10-7, 7-5 NSIC) on Friday at 7:30 PM, followed by Bemidji State (4-12, 2-10 NSIC) on Saturday at 5:30 PM. After splitting last weekend's contests, USF looks to solidify its standing in the NSIC with critical wins away from home.
Scouting the St. Cloud State Huskies
The Huskies are a well-rounded team that thrives on efficient offense and strong rebounding. St. Cloud State averages 68.1 points per game (7th NSIC) and shoots 42.5% from the field (5th NSIC). Defensively, they hold opponents to 66.5 points per game (5th NSIC), making them a tough challenge on both ends of the court. Their rebounding edge (+4.8, 3rd NSIC) is a key component of their success, led by Kylan Gerads and Alana Zarneke on the boards.
Key Players to Watch
-
Jada Eggebrecht: The Huskies' leading scorer at 13.5 points per game, Eggebrecht is an offensive spark, shooting 40.9% from the field and 36.6% from three-point range. She's also a near perfect 29-for-30 from the free-throw line this season, underscoring her ability to deliver in clutch moments.
Historical Matchup vs. St. Cloud State
USF holds a narrow 9-8 lead in the all-time series against the Huskies. Last season, the teams split their meetings, with each team protecting home court. The Cougars secured a 70-63 win in Sioux Falls, while St. Cloud took a 58-49 victory in Halenbeck Hall. Defense has been a consistent theme in this matchup, with the Cougars averaging just over 64 points per game against the Huskies.
Scouting the Bemidji State Beavers
The Beavers have had a challenging season, sitting at 4-12 overall and 2-10 in NSIC play. Bemidji State averages 60.2 points per game (15th NSIC) and struggles offensively with a 38.6% field-goal percentage (12th NSIC). Despite their scoring woes, the Beavers have several talented players, including Tieryn Plasch, who provides a consistent scoring punch. Their defense allows 69.8 points per game (10th NSIC), and rebounding has been a weakness, with a -6.3 margin (13th NSIC).
Key Players to Watch
-
Tieryn Plasch: The team's leading scorer at 9.6 points per game, Plasch is a dangerous shooter, connecting on 43.9% of her three-point attempts. She also adds 4.2 rebounds per game, making her a well-rounded contributor.
-
Ella Giorgi: Coming off the bench, Giorgi provides a spark offensively, hitting 44.4% of her attempts for 6.7 points per game. Defensively, Giorgi can be disruptive with her ability to send shots back. She leads the team with 1.1 blocks per game, but collected 8 blocks last season versus the Cougars.
Historical Matchup vs. Bemidji State
USF holds an 11-2 advantage in the all-time series against Bemidji State, including a dominant 9-1 record in the last 10 meetings. The Cougars swept the Beavers last season, winning 48-34 in a defensive slugfest and 77-72 in a high-scoring contest. USF averages over 72 points per game in the series, and their balanced attack has consistently overwhelmed Bemidji.
Cougars at a Glance
USF boasts one of the top offenses in the NSIC, averaging 74.3 points per game (4th in the NSIC). The team shoots efficiently, ranking 4th in field-goal percentage (42.7%) and an impressive 2nd in three-point shooting (36.7%). Their perimeter game is anchored by sharp-shooters Megan Fannin and Alexis Rose, while forwards like Kami Wadsworth and Aby Phipps dominate inside.
USF allows 68.1 points per game (8th in the NSIC) and has shown improvement in creating turnovers and limiting high-percentage looks. Rebounding has been a key to the Cougars' success, with the team averaging 36.9 boards per game. Led by Phipps (6.4 RPG), USF's physicality in the paint helps them gain extra possessions and control the tempo.
Key Cougars to Watch
-
Kami Wadsworth: Averaging 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and shooting 44.0% from the field, Wadsworth is the Cougars' offensive leader. Her ability to attack the rim, finish through contact, and draw fouls (84.7% FT) makes her one of the most efficient scorers in the NSIC.
-
Ayla Brown: A versatile playmaker, Brown averages 8.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Known for her court vision and defensive hustle, she facilitates USF's offense while contributing on the boards.
-
Anna Vaaler: Vaaler brings offensive firepower, averaging 9.0 points per game while shooting 41.4% from the field and 35.4% from beyond the arc. As a reliable three-point shooter, Vaaler provides spacing and momentum-shifting shots that can swing games in USF's favor.
Keys to Victory for the Cougars
-
Force Perimeter Defense: St. Cloud State (32.8% opponent 3P%) has struggled to contain outside shooters, while Bemidji State excels, holding opposing teams to just 27.3%. USF, which ranks 2nd in the NSIC in three-point shooting (36.7%), must take advantage of defensive breakdowns to stretch the floor.
-
Disrupt Offensive Flow: St. Cloud thrives on balanced scoring, led by Jada Eggebrecht, and Bemidji relies heavily on Tieryn Plasch and Rachel Koenig. USF's defense needs to force contested shots and turnovers (St. Cloud averages 16.3 turnovers/game, Bemidji 15.9 turnovers/game).
-
Push the Pace: USF's ability to control the tempo will be critical. St. Cloud prefers a controlled half-court offense, while Bemidji struggles in transition. By pushing the ball off defensive rebounds and turnovers, USF can create easier scoring chances before either opponent sets up their defense.
-
Limit Turnovers: St. Cloud averages 8.2 steals per game, while Bemidji is at 5.6. USF, which averages 14.6 turnovers per game, must minimize giveaways to maintain offensive rhythm and prevent easy transition opportunities.
Fan Information
- Stream: Watch live on the NSIC Network.
- Live Stats: Follow along with live statistics here Friday at SCSU and here Saturday at BSU
- Radio: Tune in to KWSN 98.1 FM / 1230 AM with Tom Frederick on the call.
- Social Media: Get updates on Twitter (@USFCougarsWBB) and Instagram (@USFCougarsWBB).
