USD continues winning streak
Lackluster shooting countered by stellar defensive play was all the University of South Dakota women’s basketball team needed to earn a win over the University of Nebraska-Omaha Tuesday night at the DakotaDome.
The Coyotes held the Mavericks to just thirteen field goals over the course of the game on their way to a 58-38 victory, their sixth straight.
Head coach Ryun Williams said a solid defensive effort was the key to victory Tuesday night.
“We did a nice job defending their ball screens and did a pretty good job of defending and contesting,” Williams said. “We thought if we could defend well and rebound we would be to get out and run a bit and we did have some good transition baskets.”
The Coyotes took advantage of the Mavericks slow-moving offense and forced 18 turnovers. USD scored into 22 points off the Maverick turnovers.
Senior Jodie Boss led the Coyotes on offense and defense on her way to double-double, Boss put up 11 points while collecting 15 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Despite great defense play the Coyotes shot 28 percent from the field on the night and just 11 percent from beyond the three-point line.
Williams said the team’s poor shooting is a primary concern.
“We got off to a good start but we just weren’t locked in tonight,” Williams said. “We were a little soft mentally and that bleeds into how you shoot the ball and how you finish. We have got to get our minds a little more prepared because we going to see a little different of a team when the Bison come to town.”
The Coyotes’ six game win streak will be put to test over the weekend when they go head-to-head with conference rival North Dakota State University on Saturday in the DakotaDome.
Williams said his team will need to take a more aggressive angle on offense in order to come out on top against the Bison.
“We need be tougher and we gotta finish plays,” Williams said. “We already do some nice work in executing plays, but we have to reward that with some baskets. Whether it is at the free throw line or around the basket, we just need to step up with confidence and knock down some shots.
Tip-off with the Bison is set for Saturday at 5 p.m. in the DakotaDome.
