Nov. 19, 1999

In a battle of pre-season ranked teams, South Dakota edged Wayne State, 66-64, November 19 in the Quad State Classic held in Sioux City . . . The Coyotes, ranked No. 18 in the Division II Bulletin, took a 10-point lead at 64-54 with 2:59 left in the game. The Wildcats, ranked No. 13 by Blue Ribbon College Yearbook, cut the deficit to 64-63 with 23 seconds showing. Nathan Blessen gave the Coyotes a three-point lead with a pair of free throws and the charity tosses proved enough as USD withstood three missed field goal attempts by the Wildcats as time expired . . . South Dakota shot 52.1 percent for the game, while holding Wayne State to 43.9 percent. Both teams made 25 field goals and seven three-pointers. USD connected on two more free throws . . . The Coyotes, who led by 11 points at 41-30 at the 14:57 mark, were sparked by Blessen's 20 points. USD trailed early in the game with the biggest deficit being 15-5 with 12:40 left in the first half. The Coyotes then went on a 31-10 scoring run for a 36-25 halftime cushion. USD's rally was fueled by Ben Ries, who nailed four three-pointers during the final nine minutes. Ries finished the game with 19 points and six three-pointers which increased his career total to 208 - third-best in school history . . . Jason Barrow and Jeremy Kudera had seven points apiece, with four each for Lamarr Butler-Parker and Eric Hickenbottom. USD held a 33-32 advantage in rebounds led by Nate Tibbetts, Blessen and Kudera with seven apiece.