Yotes Run Away From NDSU

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.—South Dakota scored 18 unanswered points in the second half to roll to a 73-53 win against North Dakota State in the first round of the Summit League Tournament Sunday at Sioux Falls Arena. The third-seeded Coyotes (16-14) advance to Monday’s 2:30 p.m. semifinal against second-seeded IUPUI (20-10).

Tempestt Wilson and Nicole Seekamp scored 15 points each and Sam Mehr added 14 more to lead South Dakota. The trio contributed 14 during the 18-point rally that flipped a 35-30 deficit with 16 minutes left into a 48-35 lead with 10 to go. Neither team had led by more than five when the rally started. The Bison got no closer than eight points the rest of the way.

Katie Birkel made four 3-pointers and had 20 points to lead North Dakota State (10-19). Dani DeGagne added 12 points and nine rebounds.

South Dakota closed the first half on a 7-0 run and led 28-26 at the break. North Dakota State scored the first seven points of the second half en route to its 35-30 lead before the big run came.

It began with a Mehr 3, one of four triples in her best shooting performance of the season. Wilson made 1 of 2 from the line, but the miss on the back end was tracked down by Mehr who kicked to Seekamp who buried a 3 to put the ‘Yotes back in front 37-35.

Margaret McCloud scored on back-to-back possessions from point-blank range to make it 41-35. Seekamp intercepted a pass and went coast-to-coast for a layup. Wilson got a layup and hit a 3 on the next possession to complete the run.

Seekamp was 6 of 12 from the field, had five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Wilson had seven rebounds to go with her 15 points. Mehr was 5 of 7 from the field, had both USD blocks and stole two passes.

South Dakota’s win came in its first-ever appearance at the tournament. The Coyotes will face an IUPUI squad that beat Kansas City 59-47 in an opening-round game Saturday. South Dakota swept the Jaguars during the regular season, winning 76-56 in Indianapolis and 56-39 in Vermillion.