By: Clint Neumann
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls women's basketball team opens the new year with a two-game stretch that blends conference importance and a familiar non-conference rivalry. The Cougars travel to Marshall, Minnesota, on Saturday, January 3, to face Southwest Minnesota State at 4:00 p.m. before returning home to host Northern State on Monday, January 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Stewart Center. The Monday contest serves as a non-conference makeup game after the original meeting was postponed in November.
USF enters the weekend at 8–4 overall and 5–2 in NSIC play, firmly entrenched in the upper half of the conference standings. With league play tightening and the calendar flipping to January, the Cougars face two opponents that bring vastly different styles and physical challenges.
Scouting Southwest Minnesota State (6–6 Overall, 4–3 NSIC)
Southwest Minnesota State enters Saturday's showdown at 6–6 overall and 4–3 in conference action, building their game around balance, physicality, and attacking the glass. The Mustangs average 70.3 points per game while surrendering 69.4, thriving in tight, grind-it-out contests. They convert 42.5 percent from the field and 33.4 percent from downtown, ranking among the NSIC's most prolific three-point shooting teams.
The Mustangs roll with a balanced scoring arsenal led by guard Nicole Maenke, who drops 15.8 points per game on a blistering 45.3 percent shooting. Audrey Swanson owns the paint with 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest, while Kylan Gerads adds 13.1 points and 6.8 boards while stretching defenses with her outside touch. Natalie Nielsen brings efficiency when healthy, posting 11.1 points and 8.7 rebounds while converting a scorching 54.5 percent from the floor.
Defensively, SMSU controls the glass, hauling in 37.8 rebounds per game with a +3.8 margin. The Mustangs play with discipline but can get careless with the ball, coughing it up 17.8 times per contest. Inside the R/A Facility, SMSU will look to use their dribble penetration to collapse the Cougars' defense, hunting open threes, dominating the boards, and generating buckets through sheer volume and second-chance opportunities.
Scouting Northern State (6–6 Overall, 2–5 NSIC)
Northern State brings a completely different brand of basketball to Monday's non-conference renewal at 6–6 overall and 2–5 in NSIC play. The Wolves build their identity on post touches, rebounding, and physical defense. They average 64.5 points per game while allowing 65.8, preferring to play with strategic efficiency, especially when they can control the glass.
Izzy Moore is the engine that drives Northern State, torching opponents for 18.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game while shooting a smooth 50.9 percent from the field. The Wolves move her all over the court hunting mismatches. Megan Counts chips in 9.1 points and 4.6 rebounds, while Morgan Fiedler adds 8.4 points and serves as the primary facilitator. Taylor Tool provides a perimeter threat at 39.3 percent from three, and Lily Klein crashes the glass from the guard spot, ripping down 6.0 boards per game.
Northern State's calling card is rebounding, where they dominate at 38.6 boards per game with a commanding +6.9 margin. The Wolves play methodically but struggle with efficiency, turning it over 15.8 times per contest with a paltry 0.7 assist-to-turnover ratio. Monday's matchup gives USF a chance to test their interior toughness against a physical, glass-cleaning squad.
Cougar Spotlight
USF enters the weekend playing efficient, balanced basketball that's made them one of the NSIC's most dangerous offensive teams. The Cougars light up the scoreboard for 75.6 points per game while shooting 45.9 percent from the field. Their ability to score from anywhere—inside, outside, in transition—has allowed them to maintain consistency through conference play while handling whatever defensive looks opponents throw at them.
Sophomore guard Anna Vaaler is absolutely cooking, leading the charge with 22.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while draining 42.3 percent from three-point range. Freshman post Krista Langager has been a revelation in the paint, averaging 15.1 points per game on a ridiculous 58.9 percent shooting. Alexis Rose adds 11.4 points per contest with her ability to attack off the dribble and create havoc, while Ayla Brown continues to provide veteran leadership and steady hands in the backcourt.
Depth has been a massive weapon for USF throughout their conference success. Freshman guard Rease Murtaugh has brought instant energy off the bench, burying seven three-pointers at 43.8 percent while collecting 11 steals in limited minutes. The Cougars will look for more steady contributors to emerge as the schedule intensifies.
Numbers Game
- Cougar Firepower: USF averages 75.6 points per game, ranking among the top offenses in the NSIC.
- Shot Selection: The Cougars shoot 45.9 percent from the field, highlighting strong offensive efficiency.
- Three-Point Volume: SMSU averages 8.6 made three-pointers per game, creating spacing challenges.
- Mustang Boards: Southwest Minnesota State owns a +3.8 rebounding margin.
- Wolf Rebounding: Northern State averages 38.6 rebounds per game with a +6.9 margin.
- Perimeter Lockdown: The Wolves are holding opponents to 27.9% shooting from downtown so far this season, countering a strength of the Cougars.
Coach's Corner
"We're looking forward to getting back after the new year. We're playing two teams that play very differently. We won eight of our last 10 games before Christmas and thought we were playing very well. With the second part of the season, we've got to continue to grow and continue to develop roles within our program. I'm looking forward to the first games back after the break."
- Head Coach Travis Traphagen
Inside the Gym
Saturday, Jan. 3 at Southwest Minnesota State
Monday, Jan. 5 vs Northern State
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