Huskies Drop Tight Game to Sioux Falls in 79-76 Loss

Thursday, December 18

Sioux Falls, SD

7:30 P.M.

St. Cloud State

4-7,1-5NSIC

Sioux Falls

8-3,5-1NSIC

St. Cloud St.

Sioux Falls

Photo by: Kayden Kircher

12/19/2025 12:12:00 AM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

SCSU outscored 22-13 in fourth quarter

Sioux Falls, S.D. – St. Cloud State Women's Basketball (4-7, 1-5 NSIC) were defeated 79-76 in a tightly contested game against Sioux Falls Thursday evening. The Huskies held a lead as big as 13 points but were outscored by nine in the final frame.

Through the first five minutes of play, St. Cloud State jumped out to a 15-6 lead following a 7-0 run that was capped off by a triple by Alana Zarneke. SCSU produced a strong first quarter where they led 27-14 and shot 50% from the field and knocked down four threes. Sioux Falls started to string together some stops as they cut the lead down to five points. Just as it seemed that the Cougars would truly cut into the lead, SCSU ripped off a 7-0 run that led to a USF timeout after a steal by Zarneke and fastbreak layup by Jada Eggebrecht. St. Cloud State led 37-24 with 3:29 left in the half, but would ultimately lead 40-33 going into halftime.

The third quarter saw the Huskies slowly build up another double-digit lead as an inside finish by Paige Lambe again put SCSU up 13. A 12-2 run by Sioux Falls with three triples in three minutes led to a St. Cloud State timeout as their lead had been cut down to five points with 3:12 left in the third. The Huskies would enter the fourth quarter leading 63-57 after Kristi Kottke putback a layup as the buzzer sounded to end the third. The teams battled back-and-forth in the final frame before the Huskies compiled a 7-0 run as they appeared to take control. With SCSU leading 74-68 with 3:14 remaining, USF responded with a 9-2 run to as they now led 77-76 with 42 seconds remaining. Possessing the ball out of a timeout, the Huskies missed a layup and while they grabbed the offensive rebound, would turn the ball over with 22 seconds left as Sioux Falls called a timeout. SCSU would need to foul three times to get the Cougars at the free throw line. They eventually did and then split the pair as St. Cloud State had the ball down 78-76 with 11 seconds remaining. With a chance to tie or win the game, the Huskies committed another turnover as they then fouled Sioux Falls with five seconds left. The Cougars left the door open by again splitting their free throws. With no timeouts and needing a three to tie, the Huskies fired a halfcourt shot, but it would be blocked to seal their 79-76 loss to Sioux Falls.

Top Huskies

Abigail O'Reilly was the game's leading scorer with 24 points on 6/11 shooting. She grabbed seven rebounds and went 12/15 at the free throw line which was a career-high.
Rachel Kottke totaled nine points and six rebounds and assists. She shot 4/9 from the field and recorded a steal.
Kristi Kottke tallied nine points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals. She made four of her seven field goals.

Notables

St. Cloud State is now 8-11 all-time against Sioux Falls.
The Huskies led the game in three-point percentage (31.6-29.6), rebounds (37-36), steals (9-8), points off turnovers (18-16), second chance points (12-9), and bench points (37-20).
Alana Zarneke was the only other Husky to score in double figures as she scored 13 points with two threes. She also grabbed five rebounds and recorded three stocks.
Reagan Briggs registered six points, six rebounds, and two steals.
Jada Eggebrecht and Paige Lambe scored six and five points respectively.
Brynn Olson scored four points.
CJ Adamson grabbed four rebounds.

Up Next
St. Cloud State will be back in action on Saturday, December 20 as they take on Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, MN. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.

For all the latest on St. Cloud State Women's Basketball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.