VERMILLION, S.D.—Horace Greely knew what he was talking about when he penned the phrase "Go west young man…" (or, more appropriately, young lady).
 
The University of South Dakota women's basketball team headed west last weekend (Dec. 3-6) to compete in the California State-Hayward Invitational. At Hayward, located just outside San Francisco, the Coyotes enjoyed rich success and nearly hit the mother lode.
 
USD opened with a 73-57 shellacking of host Cal St.-Hayward. The club got started slowly, trailing 31-30 at the intermission. But a tight man-to-man defense (which limited Hayward to just 33% shooting in the second frame) and Karrie Wallen's 11-19 shooting (22 points) propelled USD into the semifinals.
 
There were no pregame jitters as USD stormed past Humboldt State 87-58 on Saturday, advancing to the title game. The game was so lopsided that Ann Pancoast, who scored a tournament record 27 points, sat out the final 11:40. Karrie Wallen chipped in 14 points and Katie Dailey 10 points and seven assists. Freshman Theresa Niemann added 11 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
 
Facing Fresno State in the championship game, USD committed a rash of turnovers in the final eight minutes, which enabled the Bulldogs to eke out a 65-59 victory. Pancoast led the way with 24 points, while Carol Finley snared nine rebounds. The Coyotes could take solace in the fact that Fresno, a Division I foe, has tasted defeat but once all year, losing to nationally ranked Nevada-Las Vegas. And the Bulldogs mentor, Bob Spencer (formerly of William Penn fame) has amassed 395 career victories, easily ranking first among active women's cage coaches.
 
South Dakota led the all-tournament balloting, placing three players on the elite squad. Pancoast, who totaled 70 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists over the three days, who was voted Most Valuable Player. Sophomore guard Katie Dailey (20 points, 14 rebounds, 18 assists) and junior Karrie Wallen (46 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists) joined Pancoast on the honor squad. Dailey, who had tied the tourney assist record after just two games, shattered the standard early in the title tilt.