By: Text courtesy of Sioux Falls Athletic Media Relations
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
www.NorthernSun.org/NSICTourney
Box Score
Photos
SIOUX FALLS - Behind an outstanding defensive effort and timely three-point shooting, University of Sioux Falls Women’s Basketball defeated Augustana, 75-57, to win the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament championship. The Cougars earn the NSIC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Central Region Tournament, which is held on March 11-14 by the No. 1 seed. The NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball selection show will air on Sunday, March 6 at 9 p.m. CT, where the Cougars will find out what seed they earned with their 27-5 record.
Taylor Varsho, Sam Knecht and Alison Klostergaard were named to the All-Tournament team with Varsho collecting tournament MVP honors to sweep the NSIC postseason awards with her NSIC Player of the Year honor earned last Thursday.
NSIC/Sanford Health All-Tournament Team
| 13 |
Alexis Foley |
G |
5-9 |
Sr. |
WSU |
White Bear Lake, Minn. |
| 5 |
Sophie Kenney |
G |
5-9 |
Sr. |
Augie |
Fargo, N.D. |
| 50 |
Sam Knecht |
F |
6-2 |
Jr. |
USF |
Platte, S.D. |
| 52 |
Alison Klostergaard |
F |
5-11 |
Sr. |
USF |
Beresford, S.D. |
| 1 |
Taylor Varsho |
G |
5-7 |
Sr. |
USF |
Chili, Wis. |
Sioux Falls’ stout defense held Augustana to 16-for-66 shooting, a 24.2 percent mark, in the game and limited the damage by allowing just four 3-pointers by the Vikings, who had hit double-digit threes in their previous two games.
On the other end of the floor, USF was clutch with their long-range shooting, led by NSIC three-point record holder Taylor Varsho knocking down five of her seven attempts from behind the arc. She finished with a game-high 21 points and flirted with a triple double as she handed out seven assists and grabbed eight rebounds.
Klostergaard was key in the Cougars’ second-half push, using a flurry of and-ones for 18 points and a 6-for-7 effort from the free throw line. Marie Malloy’s on-ball defense carried over from USF’s win over Northern State in the tournament semifinal and she finished with eight points.
The Cougars trailed 29-26 at halftime with Varsho’s nine first-quarter points helping them stay within reach. After the break, USF cranked up their defense and outscored Augustana 29-8 to build an 18-point lead through three quarters.
Varsho connected on two more threes to score eight points in the decisive third quarter. Klostergaard and Molden both added eight points each in the third as USF shot 9-for15 and 3-4 from behind the arc to put the game away. Molden finished with 12 points as the third Cougar in double figures.
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