VERMILLION, S.D.— The University of South Dakota women's basketball team rolled past North Dakota State (84-72) and North Dakota (79-64) last weekend, capturing the North Central Conference championship. Along with the title, the Coyotes earned a berth in the NCAA Divsiion II North Central Region Tournament to be held this weekend in St. Cloud, Minn.
 
South Dakota, 19-8 overall and 7-3 in the NCC, utilized brilliant shooting and aggressive defense to gain its first league title. The Coyotes hit 56.5 percent from the field, the best performance in the NCC this year, against NDSU. Karrie Wallen led the way with 22 points (11 of 15 FG), while Ann Pancoast added 21.
 
In the championship contest, Wallen hit a blistering 13 of 16, en route to 31 point and 12 rebounds. Pancoast netted 15 and freshman Mitzie Frericks added 10 and 11 boards. South Dakota had compiled 26 point advantages in the second half of each game, with reserves then seeing considerable playing time.
 
For her efforts, Wallen earned NCC Player of the Week honors. She totaled 53 points, overtaking Pancoast for the league scoring title (180 to 175). In addition, she connected on 24 of 31 field goals (77%), 5 of 6 free throws (83%) and had six assists and two steals.
 
Wallen, who leads the club with a 6.7 rebounding average, is scoring at a 15.8 clip, while netting 49.9 percent of her field goals and 72.3 percent of her free throws. Pancoast leads USD with a 17.7 scoring average. She broke the school's single-season scoring record last weekend, now totaling 479.