Friday, March 6 – at Kansas State, 7:30 p.m., Ahearn Fieldhouse, Manhattan, Kan.
Fri.-Sun., March 13-15-at Region VI Tournament, Williams Arena, Minneapolis, Minn.
VERMILLION, S.D.—Having already gained a berth in the Region VI Tournament (to be held Fri.-Sun., March 13-15 in Minneapolis, Minn.), the University of South Dakota women's basketball team will wrap up its regular season with a 7:30 p.m. contest at Kansas State this Friday (March 6). For both teams the contest will serve as a tune-up for the postseason tourney, as Kansas State also gained an at-large berth.
This marks the first meeting between the two schools and is a match-up featuring the "new kid on the block" and the "old pro". In just its second season at the Division I level, South Dakota has compiled a fine 16-8 record. Meanwhile, K-State owns a 2-11 mark. The Wildcats have been a power to be reckoned with at both the regional and national levels for quite some time now.
South Dakota captured its home finale this past Tuesday with an 83-62 victory over Creighton. Seniors
Gloria Suntken and
Mary Joneson sparkled in their final outing before the home fans. Suntken led USD with 20 points (6-10 FG, 8-8 FT) and eight rebounds, while Joneson was close behind with 16 points and seven caroms.
Coach Mary Zimmerman's starting lineup remains the same with one exception. Freshman
Karrie Wallen has been playing so well that she has captured the low post slot. Although she is just 5-9, her excellent quickness and 26-inch vertical jump have more than compensated for any height disadvantage. She netted 24 points (12-16 FG) in her first collegiate start (vs. Iowa State) and then tallied 15 and 11 against Drake. She ranks second on the club in scoring (11.3) and rebounding (5.5).
Guard
Renee Steeve continues to lead the Coyotes in scoring (14.8). Suntken (10.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg) is currently ranked 13th in the nation in assists, averaging 5.3. She has also connected on her last 18 free throws (Steeve owns the school record at 25) and leads the club with 54 steals. Joneson holds down the number 18 spot on the national rebounding charts (11.7 rpg) while adding 9.9 points.
Jo Haase, a junior forward, adds 9 points, 5 rebounds, 75 assists and has been playing well defensively.
K-State has been slowed somewhat since midseason when standout junior center Tammie Romstad (18.8, 8.8) had to undergo knee surgery. However, the Wildcats are hopeful that Romstad will return to action this Friday. Forwards Kim Price (6-1, 12.0, 6.0) and Shelly Hughes (6-1, 11.8, 8.3) have been picking up the slack. In fact, with Romstad out, balance has been the Cats key. Guards Gayla Williams (5-6) and Taryn Bachis (5-9) average 11.4 and 10.5 points, respectively, while center Dee Weinreis (6-2) adds 9.5.
South Dakota needs just one more victory to match the school record of 17 set in 1977-78 and 1978-79. If the Coyotes are to attain that mark it will be well-deserved as K-State is especially strong on their home court.
