By: Clint Neumann
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball team looks to extend its four-game winning streak as it hosts Northern State on Saturday, November 29 at 3:00 p.m. inside the Stewart Center. The matchup marks USF's final nonconference game before fully transitioning into the Northern Sun schedule.
The Cougars enter the weekend at 4–2 overall and 1–0 in NSIC play after a 92–80 win over Southwest Minnesota State on Tuesday. The Wolves come in at 3–2 following a 65–48 home loss to Jamestown in their NSIC opener.
Series Snapshot
Northern State leads the all-time series dating back to 1971–72 and has won seven of the last ten meetings, including a 75–61 win at the Pentagon last season. USF's most recent victory came on January 13, 2023, and the Cougars' largest margin in the series was an 82–65 home win in 2016. While NSU enters on a five-game winning streak in the matchup, the programs have played several close battles in recent years, including USF's 65–61 win in 2020 and a narrow 72–75 road loss in 2025.
Scouting Northern State (3–2, 0–1 NSIC)
Northern State has opened the 2025–26 season with a balanced defensive identity, allowing just 60.4 points per game through five contests. The Wolves have been strong on the glass, averaging 42.4 rebounds per game with a +7.0 margin over opponents. They also hold teams to 37.6 percent shooting from the field.
Junior guard Izzy Moore is NSU's leading scorer at 16.4 points per game while shooting 50.8 percent from the field. She also averages 6.2 rebounds and has recorded eight steals across the first five games. Guard Morgan Fiedler adds 10.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and a team-high 15 assists. Forward Megan Counts provides 8.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest.
Northern State's interior presence has also been noticeable early, with forward Telia Graham averaging 6.6 rebounds per game and shooting 50.0 percent from the floor in 17.6 minutes per outing.
Shooting consistency has been a challenge for the Wolves. NSU is hitting 39.6 percent from the field and 23.1 percent from three (18-for-78). They are also shooting only 55.8 percent at the free-throw line. Turnovers have remained nearly even compared to opponents, with NSU committing 15.2 per game.
The Wolves' strength lies in physical defense, rebounding, and forcing opponents into tough, late-clock looks.
Cougar Spotlight
USF continues to surge offensively with 74.3 points per game while shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 36.0 percent from three through its first six contests. The Cougars hold a +5.2 scoring margin and continue to gain traction with an evolving rotation built around balance and pace.
Sophomore wing Anna Vaaler leads the Cougars with 23.0 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. She is shooting 48.9 percent from the field and a red-hot 53.1 percent from three (17-of-32). Her 138 total points rank among the top early-season totals in the NSIC.
Freshman forward Krista Langager is averaging 12.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting 52.5 percent from the field. Her 25-point, 11-rebound performance against SMSU highlighted her presence in the post.
Junior point guard Ayla Brown remains the engine, averaging 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.7 steals per contest. She is third in the NSIC in minutes per game at 38.0.
As a team, USF averages 38.5 rebounds per outing, 14.2 assists per game, and 9.5 steals. Turnovers have improved dramatically: after averaging nearly 19 per game through the first three contests, the Cougars are now down to 16.8.
Numbers Game
- Vaaler's Surge: Vaaler is leading the NSIC in shooting with a 53.1 percentage from three on 32 attempts and ranks first on the team at 23.0 points per game.
- Brown's Pace Control: Brown leads USF with 38 assists (6.3 APG) and owns a 1.5 assist-to-turnover ratio.
- Balanced Floor Spacing: USF is averaging 6.7 made threes per game while shooting 36.0 percent from deep.
- Interior Battle: Northern State enters with a +7.0 rebounding margin and 42.4 boards per game; USF is at +2.0 with 38.5 rebounds.
- Wolfpack Defense: NSU is holding opponents to 37.6 percent shooting overall.
- Turnover Comparison: Both teams sit near even in season turnover margin (USF +0.3; NSU –1.2).
Coach's Corner
"We have some nice momentum coming off our win streak, and we know Northern State has been playing well lately too. Both teams play different styles of basketball, so it'll be interesting to see what adjustments each program makes and who comes out on top. Hopefully we can finish our nonconference schedule with a win as we prepare for the long stretch of NSIC play."
- Head Coach Travis Traphagen
Inside the Gym
Tipoff: Saturday, Nov. 29 | 3:00 p.m.
Location: Stewart Center – Sioux Falls, S.D.
Broadcast: NSIC Network
Live Stats: usfcougars.com
Next Up: USF heads on the road to face Wayne State on Wednesday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m.
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