Skip To Main Content

University of Sioux Falls Athletics

Scoreboard

Scoreboard

USF WBB Bench
Jurgens Photography

Weekend Challenge Awaits as Mines & BHSU Come to Town

11/19/2025 12:07:00 PM

By: Clint Neumann

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball team continues its season-opening homestand this weekend as it hosts South Dakota Mines on Friday, November 21 at 12:00 p.m. and Black Hills State on Saturday, November 22 at 3:00 p.m. as part of the USF Classic at the Stewart Center. The two-day event gives USF valuable early-season opportunities to continue shaping its identity and gaining rhythm against two competitive RMAC opponents.

USF enters the weekend seeking to build off strong individual performances and improved offensive balance as multiple new contributors rise into expanded roles early in the season.

Series Snapshot

USF has a long history against both RMAC opponents, with many of those meetings predating the Cougars' NCAA Division II era.

Against South Dakota Mines, USF trails the all-time series 28–35 but carries significant momentum into the matchup. The Cougars have won 10 straight against the Hardrockers, including last year's 78–47 road victory in Rapid City that featured a 21-point outing from Kami Wadsworth and double-figure scoring from both Dani Minsaas and Ayla Brown.

Against Black Hills State, USF trails the series 22–33 and is currently on a two-game skid. The Yellow Jackets claimed a 70–51 win in Rapid City last season behind a strong defensive effort. Prior to that, USF had won four of the previous five meetings, including a 74–56 home win in 2021.

This weekend renews two regional rivalries with familiar faces, updated rosters, and meaningful early-season implications.

Scouting South Dakota Mines (0–2, 0–0 RMAC)

South Dakota Mines opened the 2025–26 season with two competitive home losses to St. Mary's (TX) and St. Edward's, averaging 64.5 points per game while allowing 69.5.

The Hardrockers are paced by redshirt junior forward Morning Grace Spotted Bear, who is averaging 18.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game on 53.8 percent shooting from the field and 60.0 percent from three. She also adds 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals per contest, giving Mines a versatile inside-out scoring threat.

Senior forward Savea Mansfield adds 12.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 52.9 percent from the floor and getting to the line regularly. Freshman guard Addison Miranda provides perimeter punch at 10.5 points per game, averaging 3.5 made threes per outing. Junior guard Carolina Ruiz Molina has chipped in 10.0 points per game on 53.8 percent shooting and 50.0 percent from beyond the arc.

As a team, the Hardrockers are shooting 40.5 percent from the field and 31.3 percent from three, while opponents are at 35.7 percent overall and 33.3 percent from deep. Mines averages 32.5 rebounds per game with a slight +1.0 rebounding margin and has shared the ball well with 13.5 assists per game.

Turnovers have been an early issue, with the Hardrockers committing 22.0 per contest and sitting at a –7.5 turnover margin. Their combination of three-point shooting and balanced scoring will test USF's perimeter defense and ball-screen coverage.

Scouting Black Hills State (1–1, 0–0 RMAC)

Black Hills State enters the weekend 1–1 after a dominant 73–42 win over St. Edward's and a narrow 61–58 loss to St. Mary's (TX). Through two games, the Yellow Jackets are averaging 65.5 points per game while allowing just 51.5, riding a defense that has held opponents to 39.6 percent shooting and 31.4 percent from three.

Sophomore guard Addison Branscum leads BHSU with 16.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. She is shooting 43.5 percent from the field and has been highly efficient from beyond the arc and at the free-throw line. Sophomore guard Bradie Schlabs adds 14.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while averaging 4.5 assists, making her a key playmaker and creator in the backcourt.

Sophomore guard Emily Cooper and senior guard Brinlee McRae each contribute 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, with Cooper also handing out 3.0 assists and collecting 2.0 steals per contest. Sophomore guard/forward Audrey Norville anchors the glass with 7.5 rebounds and 6.0 points per game.

Team-wise, the Yellow Jackets are shooting 35.3 percent from the floor and 29.8 percent from three, but they have been elite on the boards, averaging 46.0 rebounds per game with a +14.0 rebounding margin. They also hold a +5.5 turnover margin, committing just 12.5 turnovers per game while forcing 18.0 and averaging 9.0 steals.

BHSU's combination of aggressive rebounding, disruptive defense, and balanced guard play presents a physical, disciplined challenge for USF on both ends.

Cougar Spotlight

USF enters the USF Classic at 1–2 after facing three strong opponents to open the schedule. The Cougars dropped two competitive neutral-site games at the MIAA/NSIC Challenge before responding with a complete performance in their 62–51 win over Nebraska Kearney.

Sophomore guard Anna Vaaler has been one of the league's breakout performers through three games, averaging 24.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per contest on 44.4 percent shooting from the field and 44.4 percent from three. She has also gone 18-for-21 (85.7 percent) at the free-throw line and is coming off a 23-point, 8-rebound effort against UNK.

Sophomore guard Alexis Rose is averaging 11.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 72.2 percent from the line. She scored 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting in the win over Nebraska Kearney and continues to provide reliable scoring and toughness in the backcourt.

Junior point guard Ayla Brown adds 9.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and a team-best 5.0 assists per game. She also leads USF with 2.7 steals per contest, setting the tone with on-ball defense and tempo control. Freshman post Krista Langager has made an immediate impact inside, averaging 7.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, including a 13-rebound outing against No. 9 Fort Hays State.

As a team, USF is scoring 67.0 points per game while shooting 38.4 percent from the field, 31.5 percent from three (17-of-54), and 72.7 percent at the free-throw line. The Cougars are averaging 39.7 rebounds per game with a +3.7 rebounding margin and collecting 8.7 steals per outing.

Ball security and defensive efficiency remain key points of emphasis, as USF has committed 18.7 turnovers per game and allowed opponents to shoot 42.5 percent overall and 32.4 percent from deep. However, the win over Nebraska Kearney showed clear strides defensively and on the glass, as the Cougars held the Lopers to 29.7 percent shooting and won the rebounding battle 40–37.

With several players stepping into expanded roles and production coming from multiple spots in the rotation, USF continues to build confidence and identity heading into the weekend.

Numbers Game

  • Vaaler's Hot Start: Vaaler leads USF at 24.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, shooting 44.4 percent from the field and from three while averaging 6.0 made free throws per outing.
  • Playmaking Point: Brown is averaging 9.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, accounting for half of USF's 10.0 assists per contest.
  • Owning the Glass: The Cougars are pulling down 39.7 rebounds per game with a +3.7 margin, compared to opponents' 36.0 boards per game.
  • Pressure Defense: USF averages 8.7 steals per game and has forced 55 opponent turnovers across three contests.
  • Hardrocker Firepower: Spotted Bear (18.0 PPG) and Mansfield (12.5 PPG) combine for 30.5 points per game while both shooting above 52 percent from the field.
  • From Deep in Rapid City: South Dakota Mines is averaging 7.5 made threes per game on 31.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
  • Jackets on the Boards: Black Hills State's 46.0 rebounds per game and +14.0 rebounding margin rank among the most dominant early-season marks in the region.
  • Turnover Battle: BHSU holds a +5.5 turnover margin, committing just 12.5 turnovers per game while forcing 18.0 and averaging 9.0 steals.

Coach's Corner

"I'm excited to play both South Dakota Mines and Black Hills State University this weekend in our Classic. Both teams are different, but we're looking to build on the momentum we just gained against Nebraska Kearney. We'll need to do a much better job of taking care of the basketball while continuing to play good defense and finding ways to be a little more consistent on the offensive end.

Both teams will provide a great challenge for us. Their styles of play are very different, so we'll have to continue improving in all facets to give ourselves a chance to get two wins this weekend." - Head Coach Travis Traphagen

Inside the Gym

Tipoffs:

  • Friday, Nov. 21 | 12:00 p.m. vs South Dakota Mines (Elementary Day)

  • Saturday, Nov. 22 | 3:00 p.m. vs Black Hills State

Location: Stewart Center – Sioux Falls, S.D.
Broadcast: NSIC Network
Live Stats: NCAA Live Stats
Tournament Central: USF Classic
Next Up: USF continues its homestand with NSIC play beginning Tuesday, November 25 vs Southwest Minnesota State.

Stay Connected

For all things USF Women's Basketball, be sure to download the USF Cougars app as well as follow along on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Be the first to know what's going on inside USF Athletics by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter!

Print Friendly Version