Coyotes to face in-state rival in Summit League Championship
The University of South Dakota women’s basketball team is headed to the Summit League championship game tomorrow afternoon against in-state rival South Dakota State University.
The women took on IUPUI Monday afternoon in the semifinals of the Summit League tournament. The team had previously beaten IUPUI both at home and on the road. The Coyotes were able to complete the season sweep against the Jaguars, winning the game by a score of 82-72.
The Jaguars maintained a steady lead through most of the first half, keeping the Coyotes back by at least three for much of the half until there was 7:24 left before halftime. Junior Polly Harrington took a drive into the lane to give USD a one-point lead. However, the team could not hold the lead and went into the locker room down three, 31-28.
Senior Tempestt Wilson led scoring in the first half for the Coyotes, putting up nine points. Harrington and senior Sam Mehr each added six points for the team.
Karah Nelson led scoring for both teams with 16 points in the first half, while Nevena Markovic had six points and two rebounds for IUPUI.
The Coyotes came out firing in the second half, scoring 54 points. A three pointer from sophomore
Nicole Seekamp started USD out on a tear, going on a 12-4 run in the middle of the half. This erased IUPUI’s first-half momentum.
IUPUI tried to make a comeback, but it was immediately stopped as the Coyotes continued to hit shot after shot, winning the game 82-72. The team shot 76.9% from the field as team in the half.
Seekamp led scoring for the Coyotes, putting up 27 points – 23 of those points coming during the second half. Wilson added 14 for USD and had five rebounds. Senior Alexis Yackley had nine assists during the game and added four points.
Nelson scored 32 total points, the leading scorer on both teams. Markovic added 13 for IUPUI and also had a block. DeAirra Goss had nine points and four rebounds for the Jaguars.
The Coyotes will face SDSU tomorrow afternoon in the Sioux Falls Arena to determine who will get an automatic bid to the Women’s NCAA tournament. Tipoff is at 2:30. Tickets will be sold in the MUC and the DakotaDome for the match up. The cost is $5 for students and $17 for adults.
