MINOT, N.D. - The Sioux Falls Cougars saw their season come to a close Wednesday night, falling to Minot State 81-56 in the opening round of the NSIC Tournament. Despite the loss, USF showcased resilience throughout the season, finishing with a 16-13 overall record while displaying growth and determination. 

First Half 

Sioux Falls kept pace early, taking a brief lead in the first five minutes, but Minot State responded with a decisive run that gave them control. USF struggled offensively, shooting 39.3% (11-of-28) from the field and 28.6% (2-of-7) from three-point range in the opening half. Taylen Ashley led the early scoring effort with 14 first-half points, attacking the rim and knocking down a pair of outside shots. 

Minot State capitalized on second-chance points and forced key turnovers, building a 46-25 lead at halftime. Creighton Morisch grabbed 10 first-half rebounds to help keep the Cougars in the fight, but USF struggled to convert opportunities on offense. 

Second Half 

The Cougars came out with energy in the second half, opening with a 7-25-0 run, but Minot State remained efficient, keeping USF from cutting too deeply into the deficit. Noah Puetz and Shawn Warrior chipped in offensively, while Brandon Hrncir provided some offense. 

USF struggled from beyond the arc in the final 20 minutes, shooting just 9.1% (1-of-11) from three, limiting their ability to mount a comeback. Minot State extended their lead behind hot shooting and capitalized on USF turnovers, closing out the game and ending the Cougars' season. 

Key Team Stats 

• Shooting Struggles: USF finished 21-of-55 (38.2%) from the field and just 3-of-18 (16.7%) from three. 

• Rebounding Edge: The Cougars grabbed 38 rebounds, led by Morisch's 11 boards. 

• Points in the Paint: USF scored 28 points inside, but Minot State had the advantage with 42 paint points. 

• Turnovers Costly: Minot State turned 17 USF turnovers into 32 points, making the difference in the game. 

Key Cougars 

• Taylen Ashley: Led USF in scoring with 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists, attacking the defense consistently. 

• Creighton Morisch: Finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block, notching a double-double in the final game of the season. 

• Noah Puetz: Contributed 11 points and 4 rebounds, hitting all four of his free-throw attempts. 

• Shawn Warrior: Added 9 points and 2 rebounds, making plays inside. 

Looking Ahead 

Despite the tough ending, the Cougars showed fight all season long and now look ahead to building for next year. With young talent gaining experience and key players developing, USF will aim to take another step forward in the 2025-26 campaign. 

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