#2 Minnesota State earns home win against USF women

MANKATO, MN (USF) — The University of Sioux Falls Cougars dropped a 75–52 decision to No. 2 Minnesota State on Thursday night inside the Taylor Center, as the Mavericks used a decisive third-quarter surge to pull away from a tightly contested battle. USF hung tough through the first half and defended at an elite level throughout the night, but turnovers and second-chance opportunities ultimately tipped the balance against one of the nation’s best teams.

After holding the country’s highest-scoring team to just 27 points in the opening half—a defensive performance that deserves recognition—the Cougars couldn’t recover from a third-quarter explosion by Minnesota State that changed the complexion of the game.

Game Summary

USF battled through a physical, grinding night against one of the top teams in the country, holding Minnesota State to 37.7 percent shooting from the field and a frigid 3-for-16 (18.8 percent) from three-point range. The defensive effort was there. The intensity was there. The Cougars made the Mavericks work for everything.

But despite the strong defensive showing, the Cougars struggled to overcome a significant possession gap. Minnesota State attempted 20 more field goals than USF, and those extra opportunities—created through turnovers and offensive rebounds—proved decisive. The Mavericks converted those possessions into points, while USF couldn’t generate enough offense to keep pace.

The Cougars were led by Krista Langager, who scored 16 points on an efficient 8-for-10 shooting night, dominating when she touched the ball. Anna Vaaler recorded a hard-fought double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, battling inside against a deeper frontcourt. Alexis Rose added 13 points and six steals, playing with relentless energy on both ends.

But 29 turnovers and 17 Maverick offensive rebounds created too many extra possessions to overcome against a deep, disciplined Minnesota State squad that capitalized on every mistake.

How It Happened

First Quarter

Minnesota State controlled the possession game early, getting up 20 shots in the opening quarter compared to just 10 for USF. Ten Cougar turnovers and four offensive rebounds created those extra looks, giving the Mavericks plenty of opportunities. But USF’s defense held firm.

The Mavericks struggled to capitalize, shooting a brutal 5-for-20 from the field and 0-for-6 from three. USF stayed within striking distance despite the possession disadvantage, scoring nine points in the quarter. After Minnesota State opened with a 7–0 run, the Cougars responded with a 7–0 surge of their own, refusing to fold.

Krista Langager scored six of USF’s first-quarter points, and the Cougars trailed just 11–9 after one.

Second Quarter

USF found offensive efficiency in the second period, shooting 8-for-14 from the field to score 18 points. Anna Vaaler added six points and three rebounds, battling inside and keeping the Cougars competitive. The offense finally started to flow, and USF matched Minnesota State possession for possession.

The Mavericks again struggled to score from the floor, shooting just 31.3 percent, but stayed afloat at the free-throw line. The game remained tied at 27–27 at halftime in a low-scoring, defensive slugfest. USF held the nation’s highest-scoring team to 27 first-half points. The defensive plan was working.

Third Quarter

Momentum shifted sharply after the break. Minnesota State erupted for 27 points in the third quarter alone, matching its entire first-half total in just 10 minutes. The Mavericks shot 11-for-24, grabbed seven offensive rebounds that turned into 10 second-chance points, and capitalized on eight USF turnovers for nine points. They scored 20 points in the paint, attacking relentlessly and overwhelming the Cougars with their speed and depth.

USF struggled to keep pace, shooting 5-for-16 and going 0-for-6 from three. The offense went cold at the worst possible time, and Minnesota State’s defensive pressure forced mistakes. The Mavericks built a commanding 54–37 lead heading into the fourth.

Fourth Quarter

The Cougars fought until the final buzzer but were unable to mount a comeback. USF shot 6-for-17 from the field and 1-for-6 from deep, unable to find the offensive rhythm needed to claw back into the game. Minnesota State stayed efficient, hitting 8-for-17 and adding two more threes to maintain control.

MSU outscored USF 21–15 in the quarter to close out the 75–52 victory, handing the Cougars a road loss against one of the nation’s elite programs.

Key Team Stats

• Possessions: Minnesota State attempted 20 more field goals than USF due to turnovers and offensive rebounds. Extra possessions killed the Cougars.
• Turnovers: USF committed 29 turnovers, which MSU converted into 27 points. Taking care of the ball was the difference.
• Second Chances: The Mavericks collected 17 offensive rebounds and scored 17 second-chance points. Finishing possessions was a constant struggle.
• Defense: USF held the highest-scoring team in the country to 37.7 percent shooting and under 19 percent from three. The defensive effort deserves recognition.

Key Cougars

• Krista Langager – 16 points, 4 rebounds, 8-for-10 shooting
• Anna Vaaler – 15 points, 12 rebounds
• Alexis Rose – 13 points, 6 steals, 5 rebounds

Coach’s Corner

“Thought we competed well the first half. Second half was not near as good on the physical end of the floor. Got out rebounded and missed way too many easy baskets for us to stay in the game going into the fourth quarter.”
– Head Coach Travis Traphagen

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