SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls men's basketball team watched a dominant first-half performance slip away Thursday night, falling 94–84 to Concordia-St. Paul inside the Stewart Center. After building a commanding 17-point lead late in the opening half, the Cougars were unable to slow the Golden Bears' blistering second-half offensive surge as CSP shot an absurd 60 percent after the break to complete the comeback and secure the victory.
Game Summary
Sioux Falls came out absolutely firing offensively, scoring 44 first-half points on 51.6 percent shooting (16-31) while knocking down five three-pointers and hitting 7-of-8 from the free-throw line. The offense was clicking, the shots were falling, and the Cougars were in complete control.
Kyle Ingwerson led the early charge with 14 first-half points, including four made threes that stretched the defense and opened up driving lanes. Taylen Ashley added 10 points, attacking the rim with authority. Brandon Hrncir chipped in eight points, controlling the paint. The Cougars stretched their lead to 17 with 5:41 remaining in the half—everything pointed to a comfortable home victory.
But Concordia-St. Paul answered with a late first-half push to trim the margin to 44-40 at the break, stealing momentum heading into the locker room.
The second half turned into an offensive showcase for the Golden Bears—and a defensive disaster for USF. CSP poured in 54 points after halftime, shooting a scorching 21-of-35 (60 percent) from the floor and 6-of-13 (46.2 percent) from beyond the arc. They got whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted it.
Despite 18 second-half points from Brogan Madson—including eight made free throws that moved him to No. 1 in made free throws in a season in the USF Division II era—Sioux Falls cooled offensively, shooting 40 percent (12-30) in the half. The Golden Bears' relentless efficiency and up-tempo pace ultimately proved too much to overcome as they closed out the 94-84 victory, handing the Cougars a tough home loss.
How It Happened
First Half
The Cougars executed at a high level offensively in the opening 20 minutes, shooting 51.6 percent from the field and spacing the floor beautifully with 5-of-14 shooting from three. Ingwerson's perimeter shooting sparked the offense early, and the Cougars built inside-out balance by attacking the paint and capitalizing at the stripe.
Sioux Falls held a commanding 17-point advantage late in the half after consistently generating quality looks, converting in transition, and playing with confidence on both ends. The energy was high. The Cougars were rolling.
But Concordia-St. Paul stayed dangerous, matching USF's efficiency by shooting 53.8 percent (15-28) in the half and connecting on seven three-pointers. A late Golden Bears run cut the margin to just four at halftime, shifting momentum despite USF's strong offensive showing. The lead had shrunk, and CSP was far from finished.
Second Half
CSP carried that momentum into the second half and never looked back. The Golden Bears scored 28 points in the paint and maintained a torrid shooting pace at 60 percent from the floor, attacking the rim relentlessly and finding open shooters in transition. Their ability to score both in transition and in the halfcourt forced Sioux Falls into desperate defensive rotations that opened up clean perimeter looks.
The Golden Bears also placed five players in double figures, showcasing balanced offensive production and fresh legs that kept coming in waves. Every time USF made a push, CSP had an answer.
Brogan Madson tried to will the Cougars back, scoring 18 second-half points and consistently drawing fouls while setting a new USF Division II-era single-season free throw record with his eight makes in the half.
But USF's 40 percent shooting in the half and limited defensive stops prevented any sustained comeback. CSP maintained control down the stretch, hitting big shots when they needed them and closing out the 94-84 victory.
Key Team Stats
- Shooting Efficiency: CSP shot 57.1 percent (36-63) from the field and 43.3 percent (13-30) from three, compared to USF's 45.9 percent (28-61) overall and 33.3 percent (9-27) from deep. The Golden Bears were on fire.
- Fast Break: CSP outpaced USF 20-8 in fast-break points, turning defensive stops into quick, easy offense and controlling tempo.
- Free Throws: USF went 19-of-26 (73.1 percent) from the line compared to CSP's 9-of-17, but the Golden Bears' field goal efficiency more than made up the difference.
- Balanced Scoring: CSP placed five players in double figures, sustaining offensive pressure throughout and wearing down the Cougars with depth.
Key Cougars
- Brogan Madson – 24 points on 7-of-14 shooting and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line, setting the USF Division II-era single-season free throw record.
- Kyle Ingwerson – 22 points and five rebounds, hitting six three-pointers and scoring 14 in the first half.
- Taylen Ashley – 13 points with steady playmaking throughout.
- Jacoby Mehrman – Eight points, nine rebounds and four assists, contributing across the stat sheet.
Coach's Corner
"We didn't sustain the execution or effort of defense needed against CSP. Hopefully we will learn from this."
— Head Coach Chris Johnson
Up Next
USF returns to the Stewart Center on Saturday, February 14th at 5:00pm to face Winona State in another NSIC matchup.
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