USD Rolls The 'Roos

VERMILLION, S.D.— Tempestt Wison scored a game-high 18 points and the Coyote bench added 31 as South Dakota defeated Kansas City 67-45 Saturday afternoon at the DakotaDome. The win avenged a four-point loss to the ‘Roos back on Jan. 12.

Wilson led four Coyotes in double figures. Margaret McCloud and Heidi Hoff came off the bench to score 13 and 11 points, respectively. Lisa Loeffer made 5 of 6 shots and had 10 points.

The Summit League’s second-leading scorer, Kansas City point guard Eilise O’Connor, attempted three shots in the first half and was held to two points as UMKC fell behind 32-16 at the break. A 14-1 USD run spanning seven minutes contributed to the lead. O’Connor scored 15 points in the second half, but the ‘Yotes led by as many as 24 and were never threatened.

It was the lowest-scoring game for Kansas City in Summit League play this season and the fewest USD has allowed in the League. The ‘Roos made more free throws (15) than field goals (14), shot 31 percent from the field and had 18 turnovers.

USD shot 47 percent from the field, assisted on 19 of its 27 baskets and out-scored UMKC in the paint 32-8. The Coyotes also grabbed 12 offensive rebounds on their way to a 34-30 advantage on the glass.

Wilson scored 12 points and made two of her three 3’s in the second half. She finished 5 of 9 from the field. McCloud was 6 of 8 and had five rebounds. Hoff was 4 of 7 and led the ‘Yotes with seven boards.

Next up, USD will play at Oakland Thursday (5:30 p.m.) and at Fort Wayne Saturday (1 p.m.). The ‘Yotes will return to the DakotaDome on Feb. 21 to take on the IUPUI Jaguars.