WINONA, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball team went toe-to-toe with Winona State in a physical NSIC showdown Saturday night, but couldn't quite overcome the Warriors' relentless interior attack in a 77–68 defeat at McCown Gymnasium. In a defensive slugfest where three-pointers were few and far between, Winona State seized control by dominating the paint, living at the free-throw line, and turning offensive rebounds into backbreaking second chances down the stretch.
Game Summary
The Cougars displayed impressive efficiency inside the arc, converting at a crisp 50.0 percent clip from the field, but the perimeter proved unforgiving on this night. USF managed just 3-for-16 from beyond the three-point line—a cold shooting performance that stifled their usual offensive firepower. Winona State fared little better from distance at 4-for-17, but made their hay at the charity stripe, knocking down 19-of-26 free throws while controlling the glass 35–24, including a punishing 15 offensive boards. Those extra possessions and free points became the difference-maker as the Warriors pulled away when it mattered most.
How It Happened
First Quarter
Winona State came out throwing haymakers, using their physicality to stifle the Cougars' offensive flow and race out to a 21-8 advantage. USF looked rattled early, turning the ball over under pressure as the Warriors attacked downhill and built a cushion that would prove valuable later.
Second Quarter
The Cougars found their footing in spectacular fashion, erupting for 22 points on a scorching 8-for-11 shooting performance. Krista Langager took over inside, and suddenly USF looked like the team that's been making noise in the NSIC all season. By halftime, they'd clawed all the way back, trailing by just a single point at 31–30.
Third Quarter
The intensity ratcheted up another notch as both teams settled into a heavyweight slugfest. USF stayed red-hot, draining 10-of-16 attempts and matching Winona State's 22 points in a frame that featured multiple lead changes and momentum swings. The Warriors kept grinding away with aggressive drives and crashing the offensive glass, setting the stage for a tense final period.
Fourth Quarter
Winona State delivered the knockout punch by attacking the rim with purpose, earning whistle after whistle and converting 7-of-10 free throws when the game hung in the balance. The Cougars battled until the final buzzer, but the Warriors' second-chance opportunities and clutch foul shooting proved too much to overcome as Winona State sealed the nine-point victory.
Coach's Corner
"I liked the fight our kids showed after Krista got hurt. I thought Winona got to the spots on the floor where they wanted to. Anytime you give up 15 offensive rebounds and allow a team to get to the foul line as many times as they did, that's not usually a recipe for success. All the credit in the world goes to Winona. I thought we showed a lot of fight to make it close, but we allowed them to go on a 16–2 run when we had the lead, and on the road that's usually the difference. The better team won tonight, and we have to get ready tomorrow for another quick turnaround."
- Head Coach Travis Traphagen
Key Coo
Key Team Stats
- Free-Throw Difference: Winona State's 19-for-26 performance at the stripe became the game's deciding factor, creating separation in a low-scoring, defensive battle.
- Second-Chance Points: The Warriors' 15 offensive rebounds translated into critical extra possessions that shifted momentum when USF threatened to take control.
- Perimeter Struggles: The Cougars' 3-for-16 showing from three-point range represented a rare off night for one of the conference's most dangerous shooting teams, eliminating the spacing that typically unlocks their offense.
- Rebounding Battle: Winona State's 35–24 dominance on the boards told the story—they wanted it more on both ends of the floor.
- Interior Efficiency: Despite falling short, USF's 50.0 percent shooting from the field demonstrated their ability to score inside and kept them within striking distance throughout the night.
Up Next
The Cougars get right back to work with a quick turnaround, taking on #25 Concordia-St. Paul tomorrow, December 14th at 4:00pm inside the Gangelhoff Center in St. Paul, Minn.
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