SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls women's basketball team closed out the regular season in style Saturday afternoon, knocking off cross-town rival Augustana 83–73 in a high-energy battle at the Elmen Center. After a tightly contested first three quarters that saw neither team lead by more than a basket, the Cougars erupted in the fourth quarter, shooting a blistering 76.9 percent from the field in the final frame to pull away and secure the victory.
USF used balanced scoring, timely defense, and a dominant closing stretch to outpace a hot-shooting Vikings squad and build crucial momentum heading into postseason play. This was the kind of finish you want heading into tournament time.
Game Summary
The Cougars shot an efficient 51.4 percent from the floor (31-60), outpacing Augustana's 46.3 percent (25-54), while forcing 19 Viking turnovers that converted into 19 points on the other end. While Augustana held a 34–28 edge on the glass, USF countered with 12 offensive rebounds that led to 12 second-chance points. The Cougars' ability to capitalize on mistakes, execute in crunch time, and finish strong proved decisive.
Anna Vaaler led the way with 23 points, including three made threes, attacking from all three levels and delivering when it mattered most. Krista Langager added a dominant 18 points and nine rebounds on 8-of-13 shooting, controlling the paint throughout. Brooklyn Harpe delivered a career-high performance with 17 points, including seven crucial fourth-quarter points that helped seal the win. Ayla Brown orchestrated everything with 11 assists, making everyone around her better. Alexis Rose chipped in 14 points as USF showcased offensive balance with multiple players stepping up in key moments.
How It Happened
1st Quarter
The game opened as a back-and-forth battle of contrasting styles. USF attacked the paint relentlessly while Augustana stretched the floor from deep, launching threes and trying to create space. Miranda Lomax kept the Vikings afloat early, scoring 11 of their 14 first-quarter points on three made triples as Augustana connected on four threes in the period.
USF shot just 6-of-18 from the field and 2-of-9 from beyond the arc but relied on balanced scoring to keep pace. Both teams traded runs—Augustana went on a 9–0 spurt before USF responded with an 8–0 run of its own—and the quarter ended deadlocked at 14–14. Neither team could gain separation.
2nd Quarter
The Vikings remained scorching from deep, adding three more triples in the second quarter, but the Cougars answered with three of their own. Both teams shot over 50 percent from the field in a tightly contested 18–18 quarter that featured crisp execution on both ends. Anna Vaaler paced USF with six points in the period, keeping the Cougars even.
The game remained knotted at 32–32 heading into halftime.
3rd Quarter
USF found a slight edge after the break, playing with more urgency and intensity. The Cougars shot 8-of-16 from the field but went 0-of-4 from three and struggled at the free-throw line, converting just 6 of 11 attempts—leaving points on the board. Still, USF capitalized on Augustana turnovers for six points and edged the Vikings 22–21 in the quarter.
Despite Augustana shooting 60 percent from the field in the third, the Cougars entered the fourth quarter with a slim 54–53 lead.
4th Quarter
The final period belonged entirely to Sioux Falls.
USF exploded for 29 points, shooting an absolutely blistering 10-of-13 (76.9 percent) from the floor and 4-of-6 (66.7 percent) from three. Everything was falling. Every shot seemed to go in. The offense was unstoppable.
Anna Vaaler scored nine in the quarter, attacking the rim and knocking down a clutch three. Brooklyn Harpe delivered momentum-shifting baskets on her way to seven fourth-quarter points, playing with confidence and aggression. Ayla Brown dished out five assists in the period alone, orchestrating the offense to perfection. Dani Coleman provided five crucial bench points, giving USF fresh energy when they needed it most.
The Cougars outscored Augustana 29–20 in the frame, pulling away decisively and closing out the 83–73 victory in front of the Elmen Center crowd.
Key Team Stats
- Efficiency: USF shot 51.4 percent from the field compared to 46.3 percent for Augustana. The Cougars were the better shooting team when it mattered.
- Turnovers: The Cougars forced 19 Viking turnovers, converting them into 19 points. Defense created offense all afternoon.
- Offensive Boards: USF grabbed 12 offensive rebounds, leading to 12 second-chance points. Extra possessions proved critical.
- Fourth Quarter Surge: 29 fourth-quarter points on 76.9 percent shooting sealed the win. When the game was on the line, the Cougars delivered.
Key Cougars
Coach's Corner
"Great win for us tonight. Augie shot extremely well that first half and I was happy to still be in the game at halftime. Came out with a different type of resolve in the second half and was very proud of the win. We didn't handle the pressure very well the last 30 seconds of the game but all in all when we had a positive assist to turnover ratio and we had balanced scoring, that's always a great win. Proud of this team."
– Head Coach Travis Traphagen
Up Next
The regular season is complete, and the Cougars now await the NSIC Tournament bracket announcement. USF will compete in the opening round on Wednesday, February 25th, with opponent, location, and time to be announced. Fans can visit northernsun.org and follow USF Women's Basketball social media channels for updates.
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