Jan 9, 2000

Vermillion - The South Dakota men's basketball team notched their 13th consecutive win to start the season with a 78-62 win over Nebraska-Omaha Sunday, Jan. 9 in Vermillion. The Coyotes also improved their North Central Conference record to 4-0. The Coyotes shot 62.0 percent from the field (31-50) led by Nathan Blessen, who set a school-record for field goal percentage going 13-for-13 en route to a game-high 29 points. Jeremy Kudera had 20 points and Jason Barrow finished with 17. Kudera was tops in rebounds with eight. Nate Tibbetts added six points and eight assists. Ben Ries also dished out eight assists along with three points. USD, which led in rebounds, 29-22, held a 38-31 halftime lead. In the second half, the Coyotes built their margin to 19 points at 55-36 with 13:30 left to play. The closest the Mavericks came was 11 points at 64-53.