By: Clint Neumann
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls women's basketball team returns to the Stewart Center this weekend for a pivotal pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matchups, hosting Minnesota Crookston on Friday, January 23 at 5:30 p.m. before welcoming MSU Moorhead on Saturday, January 24 at 3:00 p.m. for Alumni Night. The Cougars enter the weekend looking to halt a seven-game losing streak and turn razor-thin margins into victories as the second half of conference play heats up.
Saturday's game is Alumni Night! All alumni planning to attend should RSVP here to be recognized at halftime and celebrate their Cougar legacy.
USF will face two opponents that present dramatically different challenges. Minnesota Crookston arrives with momentum after back-to-back wins, powered by one of the most productive scoring guards in the entire league. MSU Moorhead brings a physical, bruising identity built around dominating the glass, attacking the rim, and boasting one of the conference's top scoring defenses. With both games at home, the weekend provides a crucial opportunity for the Cougars to reset, build momentum, and remind everyone what they're capable of in familiar surroundings.
Scouting Minnesota Crookston (5–13 Overall, 4–8 NSIC)
Minnesota Crookston rolls into Sioux Falls riding a two-game winning streak after a 93–70 dismantling of Augustana on January 17 and a 68–59 road victory at Wayne State on January 21. Head coach Natalie Moynihan is in her third season leading the Golden Eagles, who have shown they can put together explosive offensive nights when they find their rhythm from the perimeter.
The Cougars swept all three matchups last season, winning 75-65 in Crookston, 83–64 in the Stewart Center during the regular season before advancing past the Golden Eagles 81–69 in the first round of the NSIC Tournament. USF knows how to handle Crookston—now they need to prove it again.
The Golden Eagles average 68.7 ppg but surrender a league-high 76.3 for a -7.7 scoring margin—they score, but they give up plenty on the other end. Crookston shoots 40.6 percent from the field while allowing 44.4 percent defensively. Their offensive identity is heavily tied to the three-point line, ranking fourth in the NSIC in three-point percentage at 35.3 percent. They generate clean perimeter looks through spacing and quick reversals, and when they get hot from deep, they're dangerous. Defensively, they hold opponents to 31.3 percent from three and block shots at a strong 4.0 per game rate.
Rebounding, however, is their Achilles' heel. Crookston sits dead last in the NSIC in rebounding margin at -7.4—an exploitable weakness USF should attack relentlessly. They take care of the ball well with 14.4 turnovers per game, but their assist numbers are anemic at 11.3 per contest.
Emma Miller is the engine, the catalyst, and basically the entire show. She averages 19.9 ppg while taking double the number of shots as the next-highest teammate, logging a league-leading 37.8 minutes per game. She's produced 20 or more points in 11 of 18 contests this season and recently surpassed 2,000 career points. Miller also chips in 5.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per game—she does everything for Crookston.
Riley Jenkins adds 11.3 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 35.3 percent from three and providing length and disruption in Crookston's press and zone looks. Rayna Klejeski contributes 11.2 points and a team-high 5.8 rebounds while shooting an efficient 49.6 percent from the field and 56 percent from three. Anna Westby rounds out the core with 11.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per contest while leading the entire NSIC in blocks at 2.4 per game, anchoring the back line defensively.
Scouting MSU Moorhead (9–7 Overall, 6–6 NSIC)
MSU Moorhead arrives at 9–7 overall and 6–6 in conference play after splitting last weekend at home with a 74–61 win over Augustana and a 68–51 loss to Wayne State. The Dragons are led by legendary head coach Karla Nelson, now in her 26th season and a fixture in the MSUM athletic department for 32 years. Her program has built sustained success—21 straight winning seasons, four NSIC Coach of the Year honors, and 24 consecutive NSIC Tournament appearances. This is a program that knows how to win.
This weekend marks the first meeting between the teams this season after USF won last year's matchup 87–67 in the Stewart Center.
The Dragons average 70.9 ppg and boast the fourth-best scoring defense in the NSIC, surrendering just 65.6 points per contest. Their offense isn't built on shooting efficiency—they rank 14th in the league at 40.1 percent from the field—but they defend at an elite level, holding opponents to 40.2 percent, the third-best mark in the conference. Moorhead struggles from three, ranking dead last in the NSIC at 27.1 percent while attempting among the fewest threes in the league (5.1 makes per game). Instead, the Dragons attack the rim relentlessly and live at the free-throw line, leading the NSIC in both free-throw attempts (23.1 per game) and makes (16.3 per contest).
Rebounding is their bread and butter. The Dragons lead the NSIC with 40.3 rebounds per game and rank second in offensive rebounding at 14.1 per contest, fueling extra possessions and free-throw chances. Their +6.4 rebounding margin is among the best in the conference—they punish opponents on the glass. Moorhead also creates turnover pressure, forcing 16.6 turnovers per game while owning the second-best turnover margin in the NSIC at +3.1.
Balanced scoring defines this team. Terryn Johnson leads the way at 12.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while shooting 54 percent from the floor. Ashton Safranski adds 11.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, ranking third in the NSIC in assists and serving as the floor general. Caylin Kelly contributes 9.8 points and 5.3 rebounds, while Abby Berge has provided 9.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game since returning after Christmas break.
Cougar Spotlight (8–10 Overall, 5–7 NSIC)
The Cougars stand at 8–10 overall and 5–7 in conference play, staring down a seven-game losing streak that's tested their resolve. Close losses, defensive struggles, and injuries have forced constant rotation adjustments. But here's the reality: there's still time. There's still opportunity. And the Cougars will lean on home court, offensive firepower, and sheer determination to take the next step forward.
Offensively, USF continues to score at a solid clip—72.2 ppg—but defensive efficiency has been the primary focus after allowing 73.4 points per contest (14th in the NSIC). The Cougars shoot 44.5 percent from the field and hold opponents to 41.5 percent, while shooting 33.4 percent from three and allowing 32.5 percent from beyond the arc. Rebounding remains a challenge at 36.3 rebounds per game (13th in the league) with a -1.6 rebounding margin.
Ball movement tells the story. USF is 7–3 when recording at least 14 assists in a game and 1–7 when falling below that mark. Share the ball, create for others, and good things happen. It's that simple.
Anna Vaaler continues to be the heartbeat, averaging 19.7 ppg (fourth in the NSIC) while adding 7.5 rebounds per contest (sixth in the league). She leads USF with 41 made threes and shoots 35.7 percent from deep.
Krista Langager provides a consistent interior presence with 15.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while shooting 58.3 percent from the floor and ranking fourth in the NSIC with 22 blocks. Alexis Rose chips in 11.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game while ranking second on the team in assists at 2.6 per contest. Ayla Brown controls tempo and spacing, averaging 9.2 points, 4.9 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game while playing 37.6 minutes per contest—second-most in the NSIC.
Numbers Game
- Minutes: Emma Miller leads the NSIC at 37.8 minutes per game, while Ayla Brown ranks second at 37.6—a high-usage guard battle that will define Friday night.
- Home History: USF is 13–3 all-time against Minnesota Crookston and a perfect 8–0 versus the Golden Eagles at the Stewart Center. History is on the Cougars' side.
- Perimeter Threat: Crookston ranks fourth in the NSIC in three-point percentage at 35.3 percent. Closeouts and contesting shots will be critical.
- Free Throws: The Dragons lead the NSIC in free-throw attempts at 23.1 per game and makes at 16.3 per contest. Limit their drives and avoid unnecessary fouls.
- Glass Work: Moorhead leads the NSIC with 40.3 rebounds per game and a +6.4 rebounding margin. Finishing possessions and boxing out will be essential.
- Ball Movement: The Cougars are 7–3 when recording at least 14 assists and 1–7 when falling short. Passing, spacing, and shot creation are the keys to victory.
Coach's Corner
"We're looking forward to getting back on the court with this team. We've had a great week of practice after losing two tough games this past weekend. I think our kids are in a good spot and ready to take the next step to end the current losing streak we are on. We aren't that far away from being where we want to be, we just have to clean up the little things."
- Head Coach Travis Traphagen
Inside the Gym
Friday, Jan. 23 vs Minnesota Crookston
Saturday, Jan. 24 vs MSU Moorhead
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