By: Clint Neumann
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball team isn't just winning—they're rolling. Six straight victories. A perfect 3–0 conference record. And now comes the test that could define their season.
This weekend, the Cougars hit the road for a brutal back-to-back, facing Winona State on Saturday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m. before turning around to battle No. 25 Concordia–St. Paul on Sunday, December 14 at 4:00 p.m. After sweeping Wayne State and Augustana to push their record to 6–2, USF is riding its strongest start to conference play in years. The question isn't whether they can compete—it's whether they can conquer.
These aren't just conference games. They're statement games. Winona State owns one of the league's nastiest rebounding advantages and plays in a gym where the Cougars have historically struggled. Concordia–St. Paul? They bring two of the NSIC's most lethal weapons in Lydia Haack and Lindsay Wilson, and USF hasn't beaten them in nine straight meetings. The margin for error is razor-thin.
Scouting Winona State (5–4 Overall, 2–1 NSIC)
Don't let the record fool you. Winona State is dangerous, battle-tested, and playing with serious confidence after taking down St. Cloud State and Concordia–St. Paul on the road. The Warriors are physical, disciplined, and they own the glass.
Their rebounding dominance is no accident. Winona State holds a staggering +7.4 rebounding margin—third-best in the NSIC—and limits opponents to just 31.1 boards per game, the best defensive rebounding mark in the conference. They suffocate second-chance opportunities and turn defensive stops into fast-break offense.
Offensively, the Warriors don't rely on one star—they attack in waves. Five players average between 7.8 and 12.4 points per game, creating a nightmare for defenses trying to key on a single threat. Senior Hailey Markworth anchors the attack with 12.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, serving as the heartbeat of their offense. Sadie Jarmolowicz is a sniper, draining 20 triples at a blistering 43.5 percent clip and forcing defenses to respect the perimeter. Down low, Megan Schuman punishes opponents in the paint with 9.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, getting to the free throw line nearly twice as often as any other Warrior. Running the show is Vivica Bretton, who orchestrates the offense with a team-high 33 assists while chipping in 7.8 points of her own. The Warriors shoot 42.3 percent from the field and aren't afraid to launch from deep, attempting more threes than their opponents while connecting at 31 percent.
Defensively, Winona State makes you work for everything. They allow just 64.4 points per game and hold opponents to 41.4 percent shooting through positioning, discipline, and relentless effort. They won't overwhelm you with steals—just 5.3 per game—but they force contested shots and eliminate second chances with elite defensive rebounding. One shot, one stop, one possession at a time.
Scouting #25 Concordia–St. Paul (5–3 Overall, 1–2 NSIC)
Ranked No. 25 in the nation, Concordia–St. Paul brings firepower that few teams in Division II can match. The Golden Bears are explosive offensively, averaging 76.6 points per game and ranking second in the NSIC with 18.0 assists per contest. They play fast, they play smart, and they have the NSIC's most dangerous inside-out combination.
Start with Lydia Haack, the maestro running the show. She leads the conference with 7.3 assists per game while pouring in 16.3 points per contest, making her one of the most complete offensive threats in the league. Haack sees the floor like few guards can, threading passes into tight windows and creating easy baskets for her teammates.
Then there's Lindsay Wilson, a legitimate Division II force. She's averaging 22.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game while shooting 48.8 percent from the field, ranking top three in the NSIC in both scoring and rebounding. Wilson is a dominant post presence who can score through contact, and control the paint on both ends. Around her, CSP surrounds Wilson with shooters like senior guard Leah Dengerud and sophomore Avery Moeller, stretching defenses and creating driving lanes. As a team, the Golden Bears shoot 40.9 percent from the field and protect the ball beautifully, committing just 14.4 turnovers per game with poise and efficiency.
Defensively, CSP is athletic, aggressive, and disruptive. They allow 71.1 points per game while holding opponents to 39.2 percent shooting overall, though they've been vulnerable from deep at 35.7 percent. The Golden Bears generate 9.4 steals per game and rank second in the NSIC in blocks, pressuring ball-handlers and protecting the rim with length and activity. USF will need to move the ball, attack in transition, and take advantage of CSP's aggressive defensive approach.
Cougar Spotlight
The Cougars are peaking at the perfect time. Six straight wins. Balanced scoring. Lockdown defense. Confidence radiating through the entire roster.
The numbers tell the story. The Cougars shoot 44.9 percent from the field (second in the NSIC) and 36.7 percent from three (second in the league), giving them the most efficient offense of any team in this weekend's matchups. Their offensive identity has crystallized around ball movement, shot selection, and the ability to score from anywhere on the floor.
Leading the charge is sophomore guard Anna Vaaler, who has been absolutely sensational. After averaging 22.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in last week's victories over Wayne State and Augustana, Vaaler earned NSIC Shining 5 recognition for the second time this season. She's now second in the NSIC in scoring at 22.9 points per game while shooting 45.7 percent from the field and a scorching 44.4 percent from three, where she's already knocked down 24 triples. Vaaler can score at all three levels—driving to the rim, pulling up from mid-range, or stepping back for three—and she's become the focal point defenses have to account for every possession.
But this isn't a one-player show. Freshman guard Rease Murtaugh has been a revelation off the bench, drilling 43.8 percent from three (7 made) and swiping 11 steals in just 89 minutes of action. She's a spark plug who changes games with her energy and shot-making. Junior guard Dani Minsaas continues to be USF's glue player, posting a stellar 2.86 assist-to-turnover ratio while defending multiple positions and crashing the boards from the guard spot. Add in steady contributions from Ayla Brown, Alexis Rose, and Krista Langager, and the Cougars now boast a deep, confident, battle-tested rotation heading into their toughest road test of the season.
Numbers Game
- Win Streak: USF has reeled off six consecutive victories and sits at 3–0 in the NSIC, tied for first in the NSIC South. The Cougars are playing their best basketball at exactly the right time.
- Efficiency Edge: USF leads both weekend opponents in field-goal percentage (.449) and three-point shooting (.357), giving the Cougars the most efficient offense in this three-team showdown.
- Glass Battle: Winona State enters with a +7.4 rebounding margin, second-best in the NSIC. Controlling the boards will be absolutely critical for USF.
- CSP Duo: Haack (16.3 PPG, 7.3 APG) and Wilson (22.5 PPG, 11.5 RPG) form the most dominant 1–2 punch in the NSIC. Slowing them down will determine Sunday's outcome.
Coach's Corner
"Always a tough weekend trip. Winona has had some nice wins lately, including knocking off St. Cloud on the road and beating Concordia–St. Paul on the road. We've been playing good basketball, but we understand how difficult it is to win at Winona. It should be a battle between two very similar teams. Against CSP, it's been a while since we've won there. They have two of the best players in our league with Wilson in the post and Haack at the point. Both programs are very well coached and very disciplined. This will be a great test for us to see where we stand against the upper echelon of the Northern Sun."
- Head Coach Travis Traphagen
Inside the Gym
Saturday at Winona State
Sunday at Concordia–St. Paul
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