By: Clint Neumann
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball team returns to the Stewart Center for its 2025–26 home opener on Tuesday, November 18, hosting Nebraska–Kearney at 6:00 p.m. The Cougars (0–2) look to build on a competitive opening weekend at the MIAA/NSIC Challenge, while the Lopers (3–2) come in off a solid early-season start.
Series Snapshot
USF and Nebraska–Kearney meet for the fourth time in the NCAA Division II era, with the Cougars holding a 2–1 edge in the all-time series.
The programs last faced off on November 13, 2015, when USF earned an 84–60 win in Sioux Falls behind 24 points from Sam Knecht and 22 from Taylor Varsho. The Cougars have won the last two meetings in the series and are 2–0 against the Lopers at home.
Scouting the Lopers (3–2, 0–0 MIAA)
Nebraska–Kearney arrives in Sioux Falls with a 3–2 record after navigating a challenging early slate. Under third-year head coach Drew Johnson, the Lopers have continued to lean on a physical, rebounding-first approach and a balanced offense that spreads production across multiple positions.
Through five games, UNK is averaging 68.2 points per contest while holding opponents to 65.4 points, good for a +2.8 scoring margin. The Lopers have been particularly strong on the glass, owning an 8.0 rebounding advantage per game (42.6 to 34.6).
Freshman guard Myleigh Weers has led the way with 18.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, shooting 42.9% from the field and 40.7% from three (11 made threes). Forward Jordan Sears adds 11.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per outing, while guard Jillian Aschoff contributes 10.2 points and 5.8 boards, giving Kearney three double-figure scorers to track.
The Lopers are shooting 39.2% from the field and 29.7% from three, but they've made up for streaky perimeter shooting at the free-throw line, converting 72.8% as a team and averaging 15 made free throws per night.
Cougar Spotlight
USF returns home after an opening weekend in St. Joseph that saw several new faces step into elevated roles with Wadsworth sidelined for the season. The Cougars are using this stretch to retool their offensive attack and lean into depth, versatility, and balance across the rotation.
Sophomore wing Anna Vaaler put together a breakout weekend, averaging 25.5 points and 10.5 rebounds across the first two games while attacking the glass and scoring at all three levels. Junior guard Ayla Brown has continued to steady the backcourt with 11.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and strong decision-making, while sophomore guard Alexis Rose adds 8.0 points per game and remains a key perimeter threat and slasher. In the frontcourt, freshman post Krista Langager has averaged 7.0 points and 8.5 rebounds in her first two collegiate games, providing size and activity in the paint.
USF will look to tighten its defensive efficiency after allowing opponents to shoot 49.6% from the field through the first two games, while also aiming to take better care of the basketball after posting 19 assists to 31 turnovers (0.6 assist-to-turnover ratio). Still, the early flashes from multiple contributors suggest this group has the pieces to grow quickly as roles continue to take shape.
Numbers Game
- Next-Woman-Up: Through two games, Vaaler, Brown, Rose, and Langager are combining for 52.0 points per contest, helping USF reshape its offense with multiple scoring options in the absence of its star forward.
- Work on the Glass: The Cougars are averaging 39.5 rebounds per game and hold a +4.0 rebounding margin despite two neutral-site matchups against physical MIAA opponents. That effort will need to continue against one of the better rebounding teams in the region.
- Finding Rhythm: USF is averaging 69.5 points per game while shooting 36.6% from the field and 34.2% from three (13-of-38). Continued growth in shot selection and ball movement could unlock another level of efficiency at home.
- Defensive Details: Opponents are shooting 49.6% from the field and 41.0% from three through the first two contests. Tightening closeouts and limiting second-chance looks will be priorities against a Kearney team that thrives on extra possessions.
- Loper on a Tear: Weers is averaging 18.2 points per game and has already made 11 threes, giving Nebraska–Kearney a high-usage offensive focal point USF must contain on the perimeter.
- Rebounding Edge: The Lopers' 42.6 rebounds per game and +8.0 margin on the boards underline one of the key battles of the night. Winning, or at least neutralizing, the glass will be critical for the Cougars to control tempo and limit Kearney's second-chance points.
Coach's Corner
"Kearney will provide a formidable challenge for us. They like to play a very up-tempo style of basketball and can get to the rim with ease. We have to do a good job of containing them off the dribble and forcing them into tougher shots. They split on the weekend prior with a win against Crookston and a loss to Northern. It should be a great challenge for us in our home opener." - Head Coach Travis Traphagen
Inside the Gym
- Tipoff: Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 6:00 p.m.
- Location: Stewart Center – Sioux Falls, S.D.
- Broadcast: NSIC Network
- Live Stats: Follow Here
Next Up: USF remains at home to host the USF Classic on November 21–22, welcoming South Dakota Mines and Black Hills State to the Stewart Center.
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