MARSHALL, MINN. (USF) — The Sioux Falls Cougars (6-7, 2-5 NSIC) faced off against #24 Southwest Minnesota State (10-3, 5-2 NSIC) at the R/A Facility, ending in a tough 84-72 loss despite a career performance from Noah Puetz .
1st Half
The Cougars started the game with energy but struggled to find consistency on the offensive end. Shooting 34.3% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range in the first half, USF found themselves working hard to keep pace. SMSU’s defense made scoring in the paint a challenge, forcing the Cougars to rely heavily on outside shooting.
Despite the offensive struggles, Sioux Falls stayed competitive thanks to their hustle on the boards. The team grabbed six offensive rebounds, leading to nine second-chance points that kept the game within reach. Puetz, starting to warm up, hit a key three-pointer to provide a spark, while Creighton Morisch contributed with timely buckets and rebounds. At the break, the Cougars trailed 36-28, setting the stage for a critical second-half rally.