SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball team kept their hot streak alive Saturday night, taking down rival Augustana 76–66 at the Stewart Center to notch their third consecutive NSIC win. The Cougars improved to 6–2 overall and a perfect 3–0 in conference play, putting on a clinic in balanced offense and clutch defense.

USF shot a solid 43.2% from the field and rained down 11 three-pointers, while limiting the Vikings to an ice-cold 5-for-24 from deep. The Cougars capitalized on 12 Augustana turnovers, turning them into 19 points, and dominated the paint with 42 points in the restricted area. The ball was humming around the court all night—USF racked up 21 assists, one of their best passing performances this season.

Dynamic duo Krista Langager and Anna Vaaler were unstoppable, pouring in a combined 45 points and grabbing 13 boards to pace the attack.

Game Summary

The Cougars came out firing in the first quarter, dropping 26 points while trading buckets with Augustana in a high-scoring opening frame. Three early triples kept USF in lockstep with the Vikings, who caught fire at 10-for-19 from the field.

Then the defensive vise tightened. USF held Augustana to just 10 second-quarter points, flipping a one-point deficit into a 41–35 halftime cushion.

The third quarter saw the Cougars stretch their lead with relentless interior scoring and a decisive run powered by Langager and Vaaler. When Augustana made their move late in the fourth behind standout forward Isabella Sanneh, USF had an answer every time—Langager, Rose, and Vaaler delivered timely buckets to keep the Vikings at bay.

The Cougars closed strong, shooting 8-for-17 in the final frame and sealing the 10-point victory.

How It Happened

1st Quarter – USF 26, Augustana 25

Both teams traded baskets in a fast-paced start. USF shot 11-for-20, scoring 16 points in the paint while assisting on eight of its 11 makes. Langager scored four early points and Vaaler added 10 as the Cougars kept pace with an Augustana squad that started 3-for-5 from deep.

2nd Quarter – USF 41, Augustana 35

USF's defense took over, allowing just five made field goals on 17 Viking attempts. The Cougars hit three threes in the quarter, including a momentum-building triple from Danielle Minsaas. Ball movement remained strong with five assists on six made baskets as USF built a six-point halftime lead.

3rd Quarter – USF 57, Augustana 46

The Cougars opened the half on a burst, scoring 10 points in the paint and grabbing six offensive rebounds. Langager scored eight in the quarter, and USF's defense held Augustana to 5-for-13 shooting. The Cougars took an 11-point lead into the fourth.

4th Quarter – USF 76, Augustana 66

USF matched Augustana shot-for-shot down the stretch, shooting 8-for-17 with three made threes. Rose, Vaaler, and Langager each scored in key late possessions. The Cougars held the Vikings to 1-for-5 from deep in the quarter and secured the win with strong rebounding and half-court execution.

Coach's Corner

"Great win for the team tonight. I thought we had to create a lot of our own energy, and anytime you beat a rival, you're very excited about that. I thought the balance of inside-out basketball was really important. Krista played great, and we had nice balance around her. Anytime you have 21 assists, that's a good sign. Now we move into finals week and get ready for four more games before Christmas."
— Head Coach Travis Traphagen

Key Coo Performers

• Krista Langager – 22 points, 7 rebounds, 11-for-16 FG
• Anna Vaaler – 23 points, 6 rebounds
• Alexis Rose – 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
• Ayla Brown – 9 points, 5 assists, 2 steals
• Danielle Minsaas – 5 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds

Key Team Stats

• Inside-Out Balance – USF dominated in the paint with 42 points while draining 11 threes, forcing Augustana to pick its poison all night.
• Ball Movement – The Cougars dished out 21 assists on 32 made baskets, finding the open player again and again.
• Forced Errors – USF capitalized on 12 Viking turnovers, converting them into 19 points on the other end.
• Second-Chance Impact – The Cougars crashed the glass for 14 offensive rebounds, turning extra possessions into 20 second-chance points.
• Perimeter Defense – USF locked down the arc, holding Augustana to a frigid 5-for-24 (20.8%) from three-point range.

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