VERMILLION, S.D.—It wasn't easy. But it was exciting and oh, so gratifying. For the first time in four meetings between the two schools the University of South Dakota women's basketball team has defeated Northwest Missouri State. The Coyotes escaped with a 56-55 come-from-behind win Friday (Dec. 19) in the DakotaDome.
 
USD is now 7-1 on the season and off to the best start in the school's history. The Coyotes next action will be on Saturday, January 10, when they host Iowa State at 6:00 pm, following a three-week holiday layoff. Northwest dropped to 6-4.
 
The Coyotes got off to an extremely slow start, allowing the game's first six points and trailing 32-19 at halftime. South Dakota entered the contest as the nation's number 18 rebounding team but shot just 31 percent in the first period. USD warmed up in the second stanza (16-33, 48.5%) to finish at 40.3% compared to Northwest's 43.1 effort.
 
While the hosts found the going difficult, they managed to keep the contest within reach. And with 8:16 left to play, the Coyotes finally got things together and made their move. The key was the late-game rebounding effort of Deb Petersen and Mary Joneson on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.
 
A 15-foot jumper by Jo Haase with 4:22 to play gave South Dakota its first lead at 50-49. With 0:51 remaining USD led again by one (54-53) as Renee Steeve canned an 18-footer. Marlene Walter put Northwest back in front 55-54, sinking a 22-foot set shot just before the shot clock expired.
 
The Coyotes, desperately needing to score, missed a 15-footer but were saved when senior center Mary Joneson – who has snared 58 rebounds in the last three meetings with NWMSU – battled for the loose ball and followed with an inside jumper. The bucket put USD on top 56-55 with just nine ticks showing on the clock. The Bearkittens came back and got an open shot, which just missed. In the ensuing battle for the rebound, Northwest came up with the carom as time ran out.
 
Deb Petersen led the Coyotes with 19 points (9-12 from the field, 75%) and 15 rebounds, while Renee Steeve netted 13 points and five assists. Mary Joneson was next with seven points and ten boards. Gloria Suntken contributed six caroms and Jo Haase dished out five assists.
 
The victory avenged the 73-71 setback – USD's only loss this season – dealt by the 'Kittens back in November. In that game USD took an eleven point lead into the initermission, led throughout the first 10 minutes of the second period and eventually lost when Jodi Giles scored with :09 remaining.
 
"This is a big win for us," professes USD coach Mary Zimmerman. "We didn't play as well as we'd liked but we hung in there and fought our way back. I don't know if it the effect fo the pressure of a full week of final tests or if maybe we were simply trying too hard. But our first three shots of the game – all by good shooters – were air balls. So I'm really proud of the determined effort our ladies put forth in the face of adversity. And now we know that no matter how bleak the situation may appear, we have the capability to come back if we keep working at it.
 
"It's also a big win, psychologically. Northwest seemed to have our number. We needed to prove to ourselves that we could beat this type of ballclub – especially after letting them off the hook earlier. I think this win will give us confidence as we head into the meat of the season after the holidays."
 
The Coyotes – the pre-season pick to finish last in the AIAW Region VI North Section – enter the break as the section's leader. USD is a half-game ahead of Drake, Iowa State, and Minnesota; while Iowa is a full game behind. South Dakota is also the section's top-ranked ballclub in overall winning percentage and in competition against Division I teams within the region.
 
Through eight games the Coyotes are connecting on 50.2% of their field goals, as compared to the opponents' 41.3. Additionally, USD is outscoring its foes 78.3 to 64.4 and owns a commanding 46.6 to 38 rebounding edge.
 
Individually, Renee Steeve leads with an 18.1 scoring average. She is hitting 50.4 percent from the floor, with 27 assists and 19 steals. Deb Petersen (6-4) is demonstrating a keen shooting touch, making 61.4% of her field goals and 75% at the gift stripe. She is second in scoring 15 ppg and in rebounding with an 8.3 average. Gloria Suntken adds 9.9 ppg, 43 assists, 20 steals and her ever-present, outstanding defensive ability.
 
Freshman Karrie Wallen continues her overall improvement. Averaging 9.8 points, Karrie owns a 54% shooting clip. Jo Haase contributes 9.1 ppg and 28 assists. Mary Joneson boasts 11.6 rebounds per outing, 12 blocked shots, and 8.6 ppg. Sophomores Pam Olerich (6.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 56.3% fg) and Carol Finley (2.0, 3.2, 50%, 4 blocked shots) continue to improve and give the Coyotes frontcourt depth.