USD Women Pull Away From Oakland

VERMILLION, S.D.—South Dakota outscored Oakland 18-4 over the final seven minutes to turn a back-and-forth contest into a 64-49 win Saturday at the DakotaDome. It was the fourth win in six games for the Coyotes (9-10, 4-2 Summit), who remain in second place in the Summit League standings.

Tempestt Wilson scored a game-high 17 points and Nicole Seekamp had 15 for the Coyotes, who are unbeaten against Oakland in three tries dating back to last season. South Dakota led 46-45 with 6:34 remaining and had six players combine to score 16 unanswered points to earn the win. USD scored on eight of its final 11 possessions.

Peyton Apsey had two of Oakland’s four three-pointers and led the Grizzlies with 12 points. Olivia Nash had 11 points and 10 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season. Oakland (8-11, 2-5) led by three thrice in the second half, but 32 percent shooting and eight second-half turnovers was its undoing.

Polly Harrington had 10 points and seven rebounds and frontcourt teammate Lisa Loeffler had seven points and nine rebounds for South Dakota. The duo combined for three of USD’s six blocked shots and helped the ‘Yotes to a 42-35 edge on the boards.

Wilson and Seekamp combined for 19 first-half points and South Dakota led 28-26 at the break. Neither team shot particularly well in the opening stanza, but the ‘Yotes made four three-pointers and were 6 of 6 from the line to gain the advantage. USD made all 11 free-throw attempts during the game.

An Elena Popkey three-pointer gave Oakland a 38-35 lead with 12:33 to play, but the Grizzlies mustered 11 points the rest of the way. Popkey, Oakland’s second-leading scorer this season, had eight points on 3 of 11 shooting, five rebounds and three assists.

Seekamp began the 16-0 run with a three-pointer after Wilson hit her with a pass while lying on her back at the top of the three-point arc. Seekamp then threw behind her back to Alexis Yackley who missed a fast-break layup, but Wilson scooped up the rebound, made the basket and was fouled. The free throw made it 52-45 with less than six minutes to go.

Saturday was the second game in a row in which South Dakota dominated the final 10 minutes. The Coyotes outscored Fort Wayne 25-4 down the stretch Thursday en route to an 82-51 win.

Courtesy USD Athletic Department