SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball team looks to extend its four-game winning streak as it heads into its first NSIC road matchup of the season, taking on Wayne State College on Wednesday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Wayne, Neb. The Cougars enter the night at 4–2 overall and 1–0 in conference play after defeating Southwest Minnesota State 92–80 in their league opener.

Wayne State stands at 6–1 overall and 1–0 in the NSIC and has established itself early as one of the league's most disruptive defensive units.

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Scouting Wayne State (6–1, 1–0 NSIC)

Wayne State brings one of the NSIC's most suffocating defensive units into Wednesday's matchup. The Wildcats hold opponents to just 53.3 points per game while limiting them to 32.0 percent shooting overall and 25.0 percent from beyond the arc.

Length, activity, and relentless pressure define their identity on that end. WSC forces 23.4 turnovers per game and boasts a +6.7 turnover margin—among the best in the conference—while racking up 12.4 steals per contest.

Offensively, the Wildcats feature a balanced attack led by:

• Rachel Dahlen paces the team at 14.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game while shooting 45.2 percent from the field
• Kylah vanDonkersgoed provides 10.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, connecting on seven triples this season
• Kelsey Willems chips in 9.4 points while leading WSC with nine made threes and 25 steals
• Tenleigh Smith contributes 8.7 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from three-point range

Wayne State dominates the glass with 42.7 rebounds per game and a +3.9 rebounding margin, pulling down nearly 14 offensive boards per outing. Their full-court pressure, physicality, and disciplined rotations will test USF's composure, spacing, and ball security throughout the night.

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Cougar Spotlight

USF takes its first NSIC road test riding one of the conference's most explosive offenses. The Cougars average 74.3 points per game while shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 36.0 percent from three—both top-tier marks in league play.

Sophomore guard Anna Vaaler continues her breakout campaign, leading all scorers with 23.0 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. She paces USF in field goals (46), threes (17), and free throws (29) while converting a blistering 53.1 percent from beyond the arc.

Freshman forward Krista Langager has quickly established herself as a force in the paint, averaging 12.3 points and 6.7 rebounds on 52.5 percent shooting. Her 25-point, 11-rebound performance in the conference opener earned her a spot on the NSIC Shining 5.

Junior point guard Ayla Brown orchestrates the tempo with 10.2 points, 6.3 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.7 steals per game, providing steady leadership on both ends.

Sophomore guard Alexis Rose rounds out the balanced attack with 10.3 points per game and ranks second on the team with five made threes.

USF controls the boards at 38.5 rebounds per game (+2.0 margin) and generates 17.2 turnovers per contest while collecting 9.5 steals. Breaking Wayne State's pressure—particularly in transition and the full court—will be critical to maintaining offensive rhythm Wednesday night.

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Numbers Game

• USF enters averaging 74.3 points per game, shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 36.0 percent from three.

• Vaaler's 23.0 points per game rank among the top early outputs in the NSIC.

• Brown's 6.3 assists per game are accompanied by 2.7 steals and a 1.5 assist-to-turnover ratio.

• Wayne State allows just 53.3 points per game and forces 23.4 turnovers.

• WSC averages 42.7 rebounds per game with a +3.9 margin, while USF sits at +2.0.

• Wayne State is averaging 12.4 steals per game compared to USF's 9.5.

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Coach's Corner

"Wayne is a really good basketball team at this point. They've started the year 6–1 and have great balance inside and out. What stands out most is how they defend. They make you work for every basket, and they can extend into the full court to press and turn you over. Their staff is doing a great job getting the Wildcats ready for conference play. We'll need to be sharp and composed to give ourselves the best chance on the road." - Head Coach Travis Traphagen

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Inside the Gym

Tipoff: Wednesday, December 3 | 7:30 p.m.
Location: Rice Auditorium – Wayne, Neb.
Broadcast: NSIC Network
Live Stats: usfcougars.com
Next Up: USF returns home Saturday to host Augustana at 3:00 p.m.

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