By: Clint Neumann
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The University of Sioux Falls women's basketball team returns to the Stewart Center for a pivotal NSIC weekend, hosting Concordia-St. Paul on Thursday night before welcoming Winona State on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars enter the week at 10–14 overall and 7–11 in conference play, sitting in the middle of a tightly contested NSIC race with postseason positioning still very much in reach.
Both opponents arrive playing strong basketball and present significant challenges. Concordia-St. Paul is one of the league's hottest teams, riding a nine-game winning streak and boasting a dominant 9–1 road record. Winona State brings a physical, rebounding-heavy group that has already defeated USF once this season and leads the conference in rebounding margin. With only a few weeks remaining in the regular season, this weekend carries significant weight in the conference standings and tournament hopes.
Scouting Concordia-St. Paul (17–6 Overall, 13–5 NSIC)
Concordia-St. Paul enters Thursday's matchup at 17–6 overall and 13–5 in NSIC play, riding a nine-game winning streak that makes them one of the league's most dangerous teams outside of unbeaten Minnesota State. The Golden Bears have been particularly lethal away from home, posting an impressive 9–1 road record this season, with their only loss in calendar year 2026 coming in overtime on January 9. They're battle-tested, confident, and playing their best basketball of the season.
CSP owns the second-highest scoring offense in the NSIC at 77.0 ppg while holding opponents to just 66.1, creating a strong +11.0 scoring margin that ranks second in the league. Defensively, the Golden Bears are suffocating, leading the NSIC by holding opponents to just 38.3 percent shooting from the field—the best defensive mark in the conference.
But it's not just scoring and defense—Concordia is one of the league's most complete teams statistically. They rank first in total rebounds per game at 39.7, averaging 12 offensive rebounds per contest, and own a solid +3.2 rebounding margin. Ball security and pressure defense are also hallmarks, as CSP averages just 13.1 turnovers per game while posting a +2.57 turnover margin and ranking third nationally with a 1.3 assist-to-turnover ratio. They don't beat themselves.
Lydia Haack is the engine that makes Concordia go, leading the Golden Bears across the board with 18.3 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 46.5 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three. She does everything—scores, facilitates, and makes everyone around her better. Lauren Wilson provides a powerful inside presence with 17.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, along with 1.4 blocks per contest. She owns the paint. Leah Dengerud adds perimeter scoring at 10.7 ppg, while Ashley Schuelke and Emma Mommsen round out a starting lineup that has started all 23 games together, providing continuity, chemistry, and balance.
Previous Matchup: USF's Victory
The Cougars defeated Concordia-St. Paul earlier this year, snapping a nine-game losing streak against the Golden Bears—a significant win that showed USF can compete with the conference's best. Now they need to prove they can do it again.
Scouting Winona State (15–9 Overall, 12–6 NSIC)
Winona State enters Saturday's contest at 15–9 overall and 12–6 in conference play, having won three straight games and playing with momentum. The Warriors took the first meeting this season with a 77–68 victory in December, using an early surge and late execution to pull away in a tightly contested matchup. They've won three straight against the Cougars and will be confident coming into the Stewart Center.
The Warriors are built on defense and rebounding—two areas they absolutely dominate. Winona allows just 65.0 ppg, ranking third in the NSIC in scoring defense, and holds opponents to a frigid 29.3 percent shooting from three. But the real story is the glass: Winona State leads the entire conference with a staggering +8.8 rebounding margin, collecting 38.8 rebounds per game while limiting opponents to just 30 per contest. They own the boards and control possessions. The Warriors also defend without fouling, allowing the fewest free-throw attempts by opponents in the league.
Hailey Markworth leads Winona State with 16.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while shooting 50 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from three—a balanced scorer who can hurt you inside and out. Vivica Bretton adds 12.3 ppg and leads the team with 3.4 assists, running the offense with poise. Megan Schuman contributes 11.3 points and a team-high 6.5 rebounds, anchoring the glass battle. Sadie Jarmolowicz provides a deep shooting threat, averaging 10.3 ppg and hitting 41.4 percent from three, with three-quarters of her attempts coming from beyond the arc. When she gets hot, she's dangerous.
Previous Matchup: Winona's Victory
Winona State won the first meeting 77–68 in December, and the Warriors have now won three straight against USF. The Cougars will be looking for revenge and a chance to prove they can beat the Warriors on their home floor—where they've historically been strong (10-3 all-time at home vs. WSU).
Cougar Spotlight (10–14 Overall, 7–11 NSIC)
Sioux Falls enters the weekend looking to snap a four-game losing streak against two opponents that have challenged the Cougars in recent seasons. The Stewart Center has historically been a strong venue for USF—the Cougars own a 10–3 all-time record against Winona State at home and are 8–4 on Ron Eiesland Court this season. Home court matters, and this weekend is about protecting it.
The Cougars average 71.3 ppg while allowing 72.0, and they continue to shoot the ball efficiently despite recent struggles. USF ranks fourth in the NSIC in field goal percentage at 43.9 percent and fourth in opponent field goal percentage by holding teams to 40.6 percent shooting. When the shots fall, they're dangerous.
Rebounding remains the biggest challenge. The Cougars carry a -2.0 rebounding margin and allow 12.1 offensive rebounds per game, despite ranking third in the league in defensive rebounds. Against Winona's league-leading rebounding attack, finishing possessions will be critical.
Anna Vaaler continues to lead USF with 18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while shooting 40.7 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from three. She's the offensive engine and the heart of this team. Krista Langager adds 15.2 points on an elite 58.2 percent shooting with 7.1 rebounds per game, providing a dominant interior presence. Alexis Rose has emerged as a consistent scoring option at 12.0 ppg, giving USF a reliable third scorer. Ayla Brown directs the offense with 5.1 assists per game (second in the NSIC) and continues her climb up the USF career assist list with every game.
Numbers Game
- Momentum: The Golden Bears enter the weekend on a nine-game winning streak, the longest active streak in the NSIC outside of Minnesota State. They're rolling.
- Efficiency: CSP holds opponents to a league-best 38.3 percent shooting from the field. They make teams work for everything.
- Glass Dominance: The Warriors lead the NSIC with a staggering +8.8 rebounding margin, limiting opponents to just 30 rebounds per game. Controlling the boards will be essential.
- Defense: Winona allows only 65.0 ppg, ranking third in the conference. They grind out wins with defense and rebounding.
- Shooting: The Cougars rank fourth in the NSIC in both field goal percentage (43.9 percent) and opponent field goal percentage (40.6 percent). Efficiency on both ends is there.
- Playmaking: Ayla Brown averages 5.1 assists per game, second-most in the NSIC, making everyone around her better.
Coach's Corner
"This should be a challenging but important weekend. I'm glad we're back home playing in the Stewart Center. We've seen some good things the last couple of weeks, but we need to be much more consistent to win games. We split the last time we played these two teams, and both games are important for our standings and our ability to make the conference tournament. I'm hoping we have a great week of practice to get us prepared."
- Head Coach Travis Traphagen
Inside the Gym
Thursday, Feb. 12 vs Concordia-St. Paul
Saturday, Feb. 14 vs Winona State
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