Women extend win streak to five in a row after defeating Valparaiso

The University of South Dakota women’s basketball team continued its strong start to the season as they defeated Valparaiso 81-62 Tuesday night in the DakotaDome.

Just like their previous game before, the Coyotes opened up the game quickly. This time it was a 10-0 run led by junior guard Tia Hemiller’s two steals which setup four fast break points for the Coyotes. At the end of the first half, USD turned that fast start to an 18-point lead and never looked back as they defeated the Crusaders handily.

The Coyotes used a balanced scoring attack as 10 players contributed on the scoring sheet including 32 points from the bench. Senior guard Nicole Seekamp led the Coyotes with 16 points on 4-9 shooting and hitting all eight free throws.

The biggest difference in the game came on the score boards as the Coyotes out-rebounded the Crusaders 55-33. The rebounding advantage helped bring the lead to a 15-8 edge in second chance scoring for the Coyotes.

Junior center Margaret McCloud led the Coyotes in rebounds with 12 when all was said and done, and senior forward Lisa Loeffler added nine of her own. McCloud also came one point shy of recording a double-double as she finished the game with nine points.

This win is the Coyotes fifth in a row and moves their record to 7-2 overall on the season.

Next for the Coyotes is another home game at the DakotaDome Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. as they take on the University of Saint Mary-Kansas.

(Photo: Sophomore forward Bridget Arens prepares to go up for a shot under the hoop during the Dec. 9 game agaisnt Valparaiso in the DakotaDome. Malachi Petersen / The Volante)