By: Clint Neumann
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The University of Sioux Falls women's basketball team continues NSIC play with a challenging road swing, opening the weekend against No. 2 Minnesota State on Thursday night before closing at St. Cloud State on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars enter the week at 10–12 overall and 7–9 in conference action, sitting in the middle of a tightly packed NSIC race with several teams jockeying for postseason positioning and first-round home games.
Minnesota State presents the league's ultimate test—unbeaten, and nationally ranked. St. Cloud State brings a physical, well-balanced group that has played its best basketball at home and won three of its last four games. With February underway and the regular season winding down, the weekend offers two critical measuring sticks as USF looks to build momentum heading into the final stretch.
Scouting Minnesota State (22–0 Overall, 16–0 NSIC)
Minnesota State enters Thursday's matchup unbeaten at 22–0 overall and 16–0 in NSIC play, ranked No. 2 nationally and standing alone atop the conference standings. The Mavericks are a perfect 11–0 inside the Taylor Center this season and have not lost a home game since November 21, 2023—a staggering home winning streak that makes the road environment one of the most difficult in all of Division II.
Offensively, Minnesota State is an absolute machine. The Mavericks lead the NSIC in scoring at a jaw-dropping 95.8 ppg while also owning the league's top scoring margin at +29.8. They don't just win—they dominate. The Mavericks shoot 47.0 percent from the field and sit at the top of the conference in offensive rebounding at 15.6 per game, creating extra possessions through sheer relentlessness.
Their pressure-heavy style creates chaos for opponents. Minnesota State leads the NSIC in turnover margin, steals per game, and assists per game—a triple threat that makes them nearly impossible to gameplan against. They force you into mistakes, capitalize immediately, and never let up.
Natalie Bremer is the engine behind the Mavericks' attack, ranking among national leaders in field goals made while scoring 21.5 ppg and shooting an elite 50.4 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from three. She's a matchup nightmare who can score from anywhere. Mackenzie Schweim adds 11.4 ppg as a perimeter threat who stretches defenses. Ava Stier contributes 8.8 points and a team-high 5.5 rebounds, providing interior toughness. Hannah Herzig leads the entire league with 3.1 steals per game as part of a defensive unit that features six players among the top 14 in the NSIC in steals—they come at you in waves.
Previous Matchup: December 20
The Cougars fell 93–82 to Minnesota State in December—the last game before Christmas break—in a high-scoring affair that showcased both teams' offensive firepower. Anna Vaaler and Krista Langager both exploded for 24 points, with Vaaler also adding 12 rebounds in a dominant individual performance. But the Cougars struggled to slow down Natalie Bremer, who torched USF for 32 points and proved why she's one of the most dangerous scorers in Division II.
USF proved they can compete with the Mavericks. Now they need to prove they can beat them.
Scouting St. Cloud State (9–12 Overall, 6–10 NSIC)
St. Cloud State enters Saturday's matchup at 9–12 overall and 6–10 in conference play, having won three of its last four games while posting a solid 5–4 home record this season. The Huskies have shown an ability to control tempo, dominate the glass, and grind out victories in Hallenbeck Hall—making them particularly dangerous on their home floor.
The Huskies average 70.9 ppg while allowing 70.3, often playing games decided in the final possessions where execution and toughness matter most. St. Cloud ranks third in the NSIC in rebounding margin at +4.9 and collects 14.1 offensive rebounds per game, creating consistent second-chance opportunities that wear opponents down. They also share the basketball beautifully, ranking second in the league with 17.4 assists per game, while forcing 16.7 turnovers per contest with aggressive defensive pressure.
Jada Eggebrecht leads St. Cloud State in scoring at 13.6 ppg while shooting 42.7 percent from the floor and 35.4 percent from three—a balanced scorer who can hurt you inside and out. Alana Zarneke adds 11.7 ppg and leads the team in three-pointers made, providing perimeter firepower. Rachel Kottke contributes across the board with 8.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and a team-high 3.5 assists per game, serving as the offensive facilitator. Second Team All-NSIC selection Ashley Sawicki has recently returned from injury and continues to work her way back into the rotation, adding another weapon to an already dangerous lineup.
Previous Matchup: USF's Comeback Win
The Cougars have won three of the last four matchups against St. Cloud State, including a thrilling comeback victory earlier this season in Sioux Falls. Krista Langager was unstoppable, dropping 23 points and grabbing 7 rebounds on 9-13 shooting in just 19 minutes of dominant play. Anna Vaaler added 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Rease Murtaugh came off the bench firing, dropping 16 points on 4-6 shooting with 5 made free throws and 5 rebounds.
USF proved they can beat the Huskies. Now they need to prove they can do it again on the road.
Cougar Spotlight (10–12 Overall, 7–9 NSIC)
USF enters the weekend looking to rebound after a difficult January stretch, going 2–8 during the month while navigating injuries, lineup adjustments, and searching for consistency. The Cougars are currently 10–12 overall and 7–9 in NSIC play but remain very much in the thick of the race for a first-round home game in the NSIC Tournament.
Despite recent struggles, Sioux Falls has been competitive against top teams throughout the season and has shown they can rise to the occasion. The key now is translating that competitiveness into victories down the stretch.
USF averages 72.8 ppg and has made significant strides defensively, moving into the top tier of the NSIC in opponent field goal percentage by holding teams to 40.7 percent from the floor and 31.5 percent from three. When the defense locks in, the Cougars are dangerous.
Anna Vaaler leads the Cougars at 19.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, providing scoring production at all three levels and serving as the offensive engine. Krista Langager averages 15.4 points on an elite 58.1 percent shooting with 7.2 rebounds, giving USF a dominant interior presence who can take over games. Ayla Brown continues to anchor the offense with 5.2 assists per game (second in the NSIC), making everyone around her better. Alexis Rose adds 12.2 ppg as USF looks for consistency in the final stretch.
Numbers Game
- Unbeaten: The Mavericks enter the week at 22–0 overall and 16–0 in NSIC play, the only undefeated team in the league and one of the nation's elite programs.
- Firepower: Minnesota State leads the NSIC in scoring at 95.8 ppg and owns a league-best +29.8 scoring margin. They score in bunches and overwhelm opponents.
- Pressure: The Mavericks rank first nationally in steals per game and turnover margin, creating extra possessions through relentless defensive pressure.
- Balance: The Huskies rank second in the NSIC in assists per game at 17.4, emphasizing ball movement and unselfish play that creates open looks.
- Efficiency: The Cougars hold opponents to 40.7 percent shooting from the field and 31.5 percent from three, ranking among the league's better defensive teams when locked in.
- Playmaking: Ayla Brown averages 5.2 assists per game, ranking second in the NSIC and driving the Cougars' offensive flow.
Coach's Corner
"It will for sure be a tough weekend going to Mankato and St. Cloud. Both teams have been playing very well. I'm hoping we had a good week of practice to be prepared to play the number two team in the country. It was disappointing how we played last Saturday, but with only three weeks to go, we have to be ready and can't hang our heads."
— Head Coach Travis Traphagen
Inside the Gym
Thursday, Feb. 5 at Minnesota State
Saturday, Feb. 7 at St. Cloud State
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