By: Clint Neumann
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls women's basketball team ventures into the heart of NSIC North territory this weekend, where two very different challenges await. First up: a Friday showdown with Minnesota Duluth at 7:30 p.m. in Romano Gymnasium, followed by a Saturday battle at Bemidji State at 5:30 p.m. in BSU Gymnasium.
The Cougars (8–6, 5–3 NSIC) are at a crossroads. After a three-game slide, they need to rediscover their identity and reestablish momentum. This marks USF's inaugural trip through the North Division after navigating the South slate, and the timing couldn't be more pivotal. Minnesota Duluth arrives as the conference's premier powerhouse—undefeated, unstoppable, and utterly dominant. Bemidji State, meanwhile, is licking its wounds from a midseason skid and will be hungry to defend home court. With conference standings compressing tighter by the day, this weekend is equal parts measuring stick and golden opportunity as the second half of the season beckons.
Scouting Minnesota Duluth (10–2 Overall, 8–0 NSIC)
Minnesota Duluth is rolling like a freight train. The Bulldogs boast a spotless 8–0 conference record, a nine-game winning streak, and a perfect 4–0 mark at home. Under 11th-year head coach Mandy Pearson—who guided UMD to a national runner-up finish in 2022–23—this program is a perennial North Division kingpin, and they're showing exactly why.
UMD doesn't just win games; they control them. Averaging 75.6 points per game while surrendering a league-best 62.3 points, the Bulldogs play with surgical precision on both ends. They shoot 45.2 percent from the field while clamping opponents down to 38.8 percent. From beyond the arc? Even stingier—just 27.8 percent allowed, an elite defensive mark. Duluth leads the NSIC in free throw shooting at 79.7 percent and protects the basketball like a vault, committing a conference-low 12.8 turnovers per game while ranking second in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.18.
The scoring is beautifully distributed. Claire Bjorge leads the charge at 14.9 ppg on 48.7 percent shooting, a model of efficiency. Myra Moorjani runs the show from the perimeter, dropping 12.9 ppg while hitting 38.7 percent from three and quarterbacking the offense with a team-high in assists. Lexi Karge anchors the paint with 11.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 51 percent shooting, altering shots and controlling space defensively. But the real X-factor? Grace Counts off the bench—10.3 ppg in just 19.3 minutes while shooting an absurd 56.2 percent overall and 54.5 percent from three. She's a matchup nightmare who scores inside and out, keeping defenses on their heels even when the starters rest.
Scouting Bemidji State (6–6 Overall, 3–5 NSIC)
Bemidji State limps into Saturday's game carrying the weight of a four-game losing streak after a promising start. At 6–6 overall and 3–5 in conference play, the Beavers sit tied for sixth in the North and 11th overall. But don't mistake their recent struggles for surrender. Head Coach Chelsea Stoltenberg—an 11th-year veteran and former NSIC North Division Coach of the Year—knows how to get her team refocused, especially at home.
The Beavers are a middle-of-the-pack outfit in most statistical categories, averaging 68.1 points while allowing 68.8. They shoot 40.3 percent from the field and 30.0 percent from three, while holding opponents to 41.1 percent and 30.9 percent from deep. Where they excel? The charity stripe—Bemidji ranks third in the NSIC at 78.9 percent from the line. They also take care of the ball relatively well with just 13.4 turnovers per game.
The Achilles' heel? Rebounding. Bemidji owns a brutal -5.5 rebounding margin, averaging just 31.4 boards per game with a measly 6.2 offensive rebounds. That's a weakness USF should attack relentlessly.
Kassandra Caron is the headliner, ranking seventh in the NSIC at 18.8 ppg while shooting 50.3 percent from the field. She's everywhere—4.5 rebounds per game, team-high in steals and blocks, and the engine that makes Bemidji go. Evyn Eppinga is the only other double-digit scorer at 15.4 ppg, doing her damage inside the arc with 43.3 percent shooting and a 51-of-97 clip on two-point attempts. Tieryn Plasch provides perimeter punch with 20 made triples and 8.7 ppg, while Aubrey Heyer leads the glass battle at 6.8 rebounds per game.
Cougar Spotlight
The Cougars stand at a fork in the road. Despite a recent three-game skid, they're still firmly in the conference race—third in the South Division and fifth overall. Head coach Travis Traphagen, now in his 18th season and having eclipsed 300 career wins (all at Sioux Falls), has built a program that knows how to bounce back. Now his team needs to prove it.
Offensively, USF is one of the league's sharpest units. They average 74.6 ppg while ranking second in the NSIC in both field goal percentage (46.0 percent) and three-point percentage (35.5 percent). The Cougars knock down 6.9 triples per game and distribute the ball beautifully with 15.1 assists per contest (fifth in the league). Defensively, they've allowed 73.0 ppg—a number that needs improvement, especially against an offensive machine like Duluth.
Anna Vaaler is the undisputed leader, pacing the Cougars at 21.0 ppg while also leading in rebounds (7.6) and free throws made (39). She's the heartbeat of this team. Freshman sensation Krista Langager has been a revelation in the paint, averaging 15.7 ppg on a conference-best 59.5 percent shooting while grabbing 7.4 rebounds per game—half of which come on the offensive glass. She's the most efficient interior player in the NSIC and a matchup problem for anyone. Alexis Rose continues her upward trajectory at 10.6 ppg while hitting 37.2 percent from three, and Ayla Brown is the offensive maestro with a team-high 78 assists while logging 37.7 minutes per game (second-most in the NSIC).
Numbers Game
- North Test: UMD enters 8–0 in NSIC play and unbeaten at home—one of the toughest road environments you'll find anywhere.
- Defensive Standard: The Bulldogs allow just 62.3 ppg, the top defensive mark in the NSIC. They don't give up easy points.
- Ball Security: Committing only 12.8 turnovers per game, seventh-best nationally. They don't beat themselves.
- Rebounding Margin: BSU owns a -5.5 rebounding margin—an exploitable weakness the Cougars should attack with everything they've got.
- Shooting Efficiency: Ranking second in the NSIC in field goal percentage at 46.0 percent, the Cougars know how to score efficiently when they get good looks.
- Interior Impact: Krista Langager leads the entire NSIC in field goal percentage at 59.5 percent. Feed the beast.
Coach's Corner
"Since Christmas, we haven't been playing our best basketball. We know heading up north will be a tough challenge against Duluth and Bemidji. Both teams are very well coached with very good players. It will be fun to get into the North Division and see some other teams after going through the South. I really believe it's more about USF doing things the way we're supposed to be doing them. We've had a great week of practice and look forward to the challenge ahead."
- Head Coach Travis Traphagen
Inside the Gym
Friday, Jan. 9 at Minnesota Duluth
Saturday, Jan. 10 at Bemidji State
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