VERMILLION, S.D.—The University of South Dakota women's basketball team, off to its best start ever with a 3-0 mark, faces a stern test this weekend (Fri.-Sun., Nov. 28-30) when it travels to Des Moines, Iowa, for the Capital City Invitational. The Coyotes will meet Northwest Missouri State in the tourney's opening round at 3 p.m. on Friday.
 
A South Dakota win will put the Coyotes against the victor of the Creighton-Drake matchup at 6 p.m. on Saturday. The first two round losers play at 3 p.m. Saturday.
 
USD got its campaign off to a big start last Tuesday, ripping Northwestern of Iowa 94-56. Renee Steeve connected on eleven of 15 from the field, netting 27 points; while Jo Haase and Gloria Suntken each tallied 14, Deb Petersen (5-7 from the floor) eleven, and freshman sensation Karrie Wallen (5 of 6) added 10. Haase led all rebounders with eight. The Coyotes hit a school record 60.6 percent (43-71) of their field goals in that contest.
 
Against Iowa, the Coyotes controlled the opening tip and scored on that possession. While the game was tied four times (the last time was at 24-24), South Dakota never trailed. Steeve again led USD with 24 points and eleven of 19 from the field. Petersen netted a dozen more and Haase ten, while Mary Joneson snared a game-high 13 rebounds. USD continued its torrid shooting pace, hitting 33 of 63 for a crisp 52.3 percent.
 
This past Saturday the Coyotes encountered a confident, determined Notre Dame ballclub. Although USD posted a 67-60 triumph, the contest was not decided until the final three minutes when the Coyotes extended their four-point margin. Once again, Steeve led with 15 points and Joneson totaled 15 rebounds. Petersen added 14 points and 11 caroms, while Wallen netted 12 markers and seven rebounds.
 
Northwest Missouri is also perfect on the young campaign, having defeated Graceland 103-75 last week. The Bearkittens also demonstrated a keen shooting eye, connecting on 43 of 82 (52.4 percent) from the field and all 17 of their free throws.
 
The Bearkittens loom as a very formidable foe. Not only did the Kittens capture both of last year's contests, but they return every member from a year ago. Additionally, NWMSU is much taller this year, adding three six-footers to the roster. Mona Mossbarger, a 6-2 junior transfer from NE Louisiana, will provide immediate help. Mossbarger scored 10 points and five rebounds in just 18 minutes against Graceland.
 
Concerning last week's play, USD coach Mary Zimmerman notes, "We demonstrated the ability to win on the road, but we've still got a long way to go. We must play more consistent basketball and develop a killer instinct. The key is to play with more intensity. Against Iowa, we built up a 13-point lead and then let it slip away at the end of the first half and again in the final period.
 
"The effect of three solid days of travel were evident in our play at Notre Dame. Our lackluster shooting (26-65, 40%) could be attributed as much to fatigue as to Notre Dame's aggressive defensive play.
 
"But you've got to give our players a lot of credit. They know what they had to do to win and they went out and did it. This trip gave us added confidence and should provide momentum for our upcoming games."
 
Looking ahead to the Capital City Invitational, Coach Zimmerman analyzes, "As a team we're playing well. We're shooting much better than last year, controlling the boards, and playing good team defense. If we can continue to do this we'll be successful.
 
"Northwest Missouri is probably the strongest team we've faced yet this year. And, of course, both Drake and Creighton have very fine ballclubs. Northwest is a physical ballclub and they execute the fundamentals extremely well. We'll have to cut down our mistakes, maintain our intensity and play good defense to beat them.
 
"It's the same story. We've seen these teams before. We know what we must do to beat them. The task before us now is to execute our game plan."
 
As a team the Coyotes are outscoring their opponents 78.7 to 62.7; while controlling the boards, averaging 49 as compared to giving up 40.7. USD is connecting on a cool 50.8 percent of its field goals, while the defense has limited opponents to just 36.4 percent.
 
Individually, Renee Steeve is averaging 22 points per contest, while hitting 80 percent from the charity stripe and 55.1 percent from the floor. Deb Petersen is second in scoring and rebounding, averaging 12.3 and 8.3, respectively, in addition to leading the club with a 56.7 field goal percentage. Gloria Suntken is next with a 10.3 scoring average and a team-high 17 assists and eight steals, in addition to playing her usual outstanding defense. Jo Haase adds nine points and five rebounds a game; while Mary Joneson leads the rebounders with 11.7, along with 7.7 points per contest. And reserves Karrie Wallen and Pam Olerich have performed admirable. Wallen is contributing 9.3 ppg, making 54.5 percent of her floor attempts. Olerich adds 6.3 points and 4.0 boards, along with 61.5 percent effort from the field.
 
Following this weekend's tournament action, the Coyotes host Creighton at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7.
 
 
Probable Starters
South Dakota (3-0)
Forward – 44 – Jo Haase, 9.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg
Forward – 54 – Deb Petersen, 12.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg
Center – 50 – Mary Joneson, 7.7 ppg, 11.7 rpg
Guard – 32 – Gloria Suntken, 10.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg
Guard – 24 – Renee Steeve, 22.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg
 
Northwest Missouri (1-0)
Forward – 22 – Patty Painter, 13.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg
Forward – 24 – Julie Chadwig, 16.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg
Center – 40 – Mona Mossbarger, 10.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg
Guard – 20 – Mary Wiebke, 18.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg
Guard – 14 – Teresa Gumm, 4.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg
 
Capital City Invitational
Friday, Nov. 28 – vs. Northwest Missouri State, 3 p.m., Drake Fieldhouse, Des Moines, Iowa
Saturday, Nov. 29 – vs. either Creighton or Drake, 3 p.m. or 6 p.m., Drake Fieldhouse, Des Moines, Iowa
Sunday, Nov. 30 – vs. TBD
 
Also entered: Chicago State, Grand View, Wichita State, Wisconsin