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University of Sioux Falls Athletics

Scoreboard

Scoreboard

USF WBB huddles on the floor
Jurgens Photography
79
Winner Sioux Falls USF 7-3,4-1 NSIC
77
Concordia-St. Paul CSP 5-5,1-4 NSIC
Winner
Sioux Falls USF
7-3,4-1 NSIC
79
Final
77
Concordia-St. Paul CSP
5-5,1-4 NSIC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Sioux Falls USF 18 16 17 28 79
Concordia-St. Paul CSP 21 13 25 18 77

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Clint Neumann

Cougars Topple #25 Golden Bears with Late Game Push

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball team stormed into Gangelhoff Center on Sunday afternoon and delivered a statement performance, stunning No. 25 Concordia-St. Paul, 79–77, in a thriller that ended a nine-game losing streak against the Golden Bears. With ice in their veins down the stretch, the Cougars executed when it mattered most, claiming one of their most impressive road victories of the season.

Game Summary

USF caught fire offensively, drilling 47.3 percent from the field (26-for-55) while orchestrating one of their most beautiful team performances of the year—20 assists on 26 made buckets showcased textbook ball movement. The Cougars were money at the charity stripe, knocking down 19-of-22 free throws, including two clutch makes from Alexis Rose with just 1.5 seconds remaining to ice the game.

Concordia-St. Paul struggled to find their rhythm, shooting 38.8 percent (26-for-67) despite raining down 11 three-pointers. USF answered by dominating the paint when it counted and shutting down second-chance opportunities late. This contest was an absolute nail-biter—eight ties and eight lead changes had both benches on edge before the Cougars walked out of there with victory in hand.

How It Happened

First Quarter

The opening frame delivered instant drama, with Concordia-St. Paul holding a narrow 21–18 advantage after ten minutes. USF came out sharp, connecting on 7-of-12 shots and moving the ball beautifully with seven assists. Krista Langager wasted no time imposing her will in the paint, pouring in 8 early points. CSP stayed in front by knocking down four triples to maintain their early edge.

Second Quarter

Both teams buckled down defensively in the second, with USF clamping down on the Golden Bears and holding them to just 13 points. The Cougars created chaos with six forced turnovers and converted timely free throws to stay within striking distance, sending the teams into the locker room deadlocked at 34–34 after a bruising first half.

Third Quarter

Concordia-St. Paul came out of halftime with guns blazing, exploding for 25 points behind Lydia Haack's dominant 10-point, 3-assist performance while the Golden Bears drained another 5 three-pointers. CSP built what looked like a commanding 11-point cushion with 6 minutes left in the quarter. But USF refused to fold, attacking the rim and getting to the line eight times while their bench chipped in five crucial points, keeping the deficit at a manageable 59–51 entering crunch time.

Fourth Quarter

USF saved their absolute best for last, unleashing a devastating 28-point explosion when championship moments arrive. The Cougars were virtually perfect, shooting 9-for-11 from the field while moving the ball with precision—eight assists in the final frame. They also went 4-for-4 from beyond the arc, turning the Golden Bears' lead into a distant memory. Anna Vaaler and Alexis Rose each poured in seven points, while Ayla Brown made winning plays down the stretch. The Cougars outscored CSP 28–18 in the fourth quarter and showed remarkable poise at the free-throw line to seal the 79–77 victory.

Coach's Corner

"Great win by the Cougars. It wasn't always pretty, but I thought we got really tough when we needed to. Krista played great on a bad ankle, and everybody really stepped up when we needed them. Concordia is a very good team that we haven't had much success against here in Saint Paul. I'm really proud to be able to get a split on the road, which was very important for us."
— Head Coach Travis Traphagen

Key Coo

  • Anna Vaaler – 22 points, 7 rebounds, 10-for-17 FG
  • Krista Langager – 18 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks
  • Alexis Rose – 12 points, 3 assists, 7-for-8 FT
  • Ayla Brown – 8 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals
  • Danielle Minsaas – 9 points, 4 rebounds

Key Team Stats

  • Clutch Finish: USF shot 9-for-11 in the fourth quarter and outscored CSP 28–18 to close the game.
  • Ball Movement: The Cougars recorded 20 assists on 26 made field goals.
  • Free Throws: USF went 19-for-22 at the line, including late-game makes under pressure.
  • Paint Presence: USF scored 22 points in the paint while controlling interior stretches late.
  • Road Toughness: USF earned a key NSIC road win against a ranked opponent, snapping a nine-game skid in the series.

Next Up

The Cougars return home to host St. Cloud State on Thursday, December 18, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. inside the Stewart Center.

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