THIS WEEKEND - The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (0-9, 0-5 NSIC) will continue Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play this weekend as it travels to Sioux Falls, S.D. The Mustangs will play the University of Sioux Falls (8-1, 4-1 NSIC) on Saturday at 2 p.m.

    RADIO - The game this weekend will be broadcast on 105.1 FM KARL with Ryan Rohlik handling play-by-play and Anthony Rohlik serving as analyst.

    ABOUT SIOUX FALLS - The Cougars enter the weekend with a 8-1 record, including 4-1 in the NSIC. USF suffered its first loss of the season to U-Mary last weekend after starting the season 7-0. Taylor Varsho and Sam Knecht both power the Cougar offense with their 12.4 ppg while shooting 43 and 53 percent from the floor, respectfully. Knecht also has recorded 17 blocks this season. Varsho and Amber Paden control the boards as they have each pulled down 60 rebounds for 6.7 rpg. Travis Traphagen is in his six season as head coach at Sioux Falls with a record of 98-52.
    
    SIOUX FALLS SERIES HISTORY - Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls will meet for the 25th time on Saturday with USF holding a 16-8 advantage in a series that started back in 1969. The Cougars lead 10-2 all-time in games played in Sioux Falls, S.D. SMSU has lost the last three games with its last win coming in 2013 in Sioux Falls. The Mustangs hosted Sioux Falls earlier this season in the R/A Facility and suffered a 91-50 loss. SMSU head coach Allison Kruger is 1-5 all-time versus Sioux Falls. 

    SMSU VS. USF THIS SEASON - 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 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 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.

    HEAD COACH ALLISON KRUGER - Allison Kruger is in her fifth season as head coach at SMSU and has compiled a record of 21-96, including 15-78 in NSIC play. Prior to SMSU, Kruger spent two seasons as assistant coach at NCAA Division I University of South Dakota and four years at Wayne State.