VERMILLION, S.D. - Poor shooting wrecked the the University of South Dakota women's basketball hopes in a 64-61 setback to Minnesota State, Mankato in the DakotaDome in the North Central Conference opener for both teams.
USD (4-3, 0-1 in the NCC), continued a season-long problem of shooting as they hit just 8-of-23 (.348) field goals in the first half, and their shooting was worse in the second half as the Coyotes managed to convert just 7-of-28 (.250) field goals. On the night, they were a porous 15-of-51 (.294). Those kind of shooting numbers rarely translate into victories, as was the case in the Coyotes' home NCC opener. So far this season the Coyotes are hit just 189-of-456 (.414) field goals. While Minnesota State (2-5, 1-0 in the NCC) also had trouble converting baskets, they hit just enough to win this back-and-forth NCC encounter. The Mavericks hit 11-of-27 (.407) first-half field goals, 13-of-29 (.448) second-half field goals and were 24-of-56 (.429) for the game. The Mavericks were aided by their three-point marksmanship as they made 8-of-19 (.421) for the game while USD hit just 5-of-16 (.312). USD converted 26-of-35 (.743) free throws and Minnesota State made 8-of-14 (.571).
Early on, things looked good for the Coyotes as a lay-up by Kelly Gese gave the Coyotes an 11-6 lead at the 14:11 mark of the first half. A pair of free throws by Danielle Bridges pulled Minnesota State even at 12-12 with 11:04 to play in the opening half. Two free throws by Julia Frie, who had 13 points and seven rebounds on the night, and a free throw by Alissa Koronkiewicz gave USD a 19-13 lead with 6:37 to play in the half. From that point on, Minnesota State retained control. They went on a 17-8 run to close the half and grab a 30-27 advantage.
The Coyotes tied the game at 32 on a three-pointer by Heather Nelson with 18:26 to play in the game. Then the Mavericks outscored USD 11-3 to grab a 43-35 advantage at the 14:32 mark of the second half. A layup by Koronkiewicz, who had six points and eight rebounds, pulled USD within 43-40 at the 12:47 mark. A three-pointer by Kelli Freeman moved the advantage for the Mavericks to 56-49 with 8:24 to play before USD rallied. Four free throws by Kelly Koepp, who led the Coyotes in scoring with 15 points, pulled USD into the lead at 57-56 with 5:03 to play in the game. But the Mavericks were dialing up from long range as Emily Birkholz hit a three-point basket at the 4:00 mark. A three-point basket by Kim Curtis gave the Mavericks a 64-59 lead with 2:07 to play. The Coyotes pulled within 64-61 with 1:49 to play in the game as Nelson made a pair of free throws. However, the Coyotes did not score again, and the Mavericks held on for the 64-61 win, despite missing a pair of free throws that gave USD several chances to tie with 5:03 to play in the game.
USD received 12 points from Nelson and seven points from Gese, who made just 3-of-14 shots from the field.
Bridges led the Mavericks with 13 points while Freeman and Jenny Groom each added 10 points. Minnesota State won the rebound battle 39-38.
