>Box Score

MARSHALL, Minn. - The University of Sioux Falls connected on 10 3-pointers and forced 22 turnovers to earn a 91-50 victory over Southwest Minnesota State in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opener for both teams.

USF (5-0, 1-1 NSIC) was led by Taylor Varsho who scored a game-high 24 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Varsho made 9-13 field goals, including 6-9 from 3-point range.

SMSU (0-4, 0-1 NSIC) was held to 32.7 percent (17 of 52) from the field and was outrebounded 46-33. Hope Bonlander, Annessa Rosch and Emilee Duske led the Mustangs with nine points apiece.

Sioux Falls capitalized on SMSU's 22 turnovers as they scored 24 points from them. USF held the advantage in offense as boards as well as the Cougars scored 16 points on second chances.

Sioux Falls scored the first seven points of the game and never looked back as the Cougars held the Mustangs to just 22 points in the first half of play. SMSU had 13 turnovers in the half which led to 18 points for the Cougars. Southwest Minnesota State shot 25.9 percent (7 of 27) and 16.7 percent (1 of 6) while USF was 52.6 percent (20-38) and 54.5 percent (6-11) from behind the arc. USF led 50-22 at the end of the half.

After the break, SMSU found the basket but USF wouldn't let the Mustangs get close as the Cougars poured in another four 3-pointers down the stretch including 25 points coming from the bench. Sioux Falls kept the lead the length of the game and finished defeating SMSU, 91-50.

Southwest Minnesota State will return to the R/A Facility on Saturday for its final non-conference matchup against Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.). Tipoff is set to be at 2 p.m.