SIOUX FALLS - After post play led University of Sioux Falls Women’s Basketball to their first wo wins of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament, senior guards Taylor Varsho and Marie Malloy fueled USF to a 71-63 victory over Northern State on Monday afternoon. The Cougars advance to the tournament championship game where they will face the winner of the Augustana-Winona State game on Tuesday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls.

Varsho knocked down six 3-pointers and scored a game-high 26 points to lead all scorers, but it was Malloy’s defense that helped the Cougars build a big lead in the second half. Forced into action early after Madi Robson picked up two fouls less than two minutes into the game, Malloy forced six turnovers with her ball-hawking defense, including four steals that led to six of her nine points. As a team, the Cougars forced 14 turnovers and converted them into 19 points.

USF (26-5) held a 30-29 edge at halftime and behind the on-ball defense of Malloy and junior guard Alyson Johnsen, USF outscored the Wolves 20-12 in the third quarter and built a 16-point lead twice, including at the 1:42 mark of the fourth quarter after Alison Klostergaard hit two free throws.

Klostergaard finished with 13 points, second on the Cougars, and a team-leading nine rebounds, snapping her streak of double-doubles.

Sioux Falls made 10 3-pointers as a team, the third consecutive game against Northern State that they have reached double figures in makes from behind the arc.