VERMILLION, S.D. -- It was a tale of two halves with Southwest State (8-3) prevailing over #14 South Dakota (9-1), 75-69 in nonconference women's basketball at the DakotaDome on Friday night.
After USD hit 52 percent of their first-half field goals, Southwest State responded in kind by making 59.3 of their second half field goals and earning the win. The Mustangs hit nearly everything they shot in the second 20 minutes, making 16 of 27 field goals, including seven of nine from three-point range and 11 of 12 from the foul line to rally from a 15-point halftime deficit and take the six-point win.
The loss by South Dakota ended an 18-game home winning streak which was the sixth longest in NCAA Division II.
Junior forward Mandy Koupal (Wagner, S.D.) had her sixth double double of the season with 20 points and 13 rebounds. However foul trouble limited her to 27 minutes of play. Freshman guard Renae Luecke (Sioux Falls, S.D.) added 12 points and Stacy Schooley (Watertown, S.D.) had nine points and seven assists. USD hit 25 of 51 field goals for 49 percent, including nine of 22 three-point field goals for 40.9 percent. USD was just 10 of 18 from the foul line for a season low 55.6 percent.
Southwest State was led by Michelle Bruns with 26 points, including 21 in the second half. She also had five assists and seven rebounds. The Mustangs also received 16 points from Mary Roddell and 15 from Regan French. Shelli Shoeneck added 11 points. On the night, Southwest State hit 24 of 55 field goals for 43.6 percent, including nine of 15 from the three-point line. They were 18 of 20 from the foul line.
Southwest State scored the first eight points of the game and grabbed a 10-2 lead on a layup by Schoeneck at the 17:46 mark of the opening half. USD responded with a 17-4 run to grab a 19-14 lead after a three-pointer by Erin Bourne (Mankato, Minn.), who had eight points on the night. Consecutive three-pointers by Luecke upped USD's margin to 29-20 with 3:37 to play in the half. A three-pointer by Julia Frie (Byron, Minn.) gave USD a 36-23 lead at the 1:43 mark. Frie, who scored the Coyotes final seven points of the half, hit another three-pointer with 24 seconds to play.
South Dakota made14 of 27 field goals for 51.9 percent in the opening half. Koupal had eight points and seven rebounds, despite sitting out nearly half of the opening 20 minutes. The Coyotes were led by Luecke, who had nine points, including three, three-point baskets. Overall, USD was seven of 14 from three-point land and they made five of seven free throws.
Southwest State knocked down eight of 28 field goals for 28.6 percent, including two of six from three-point range. The Mustangs were seven of eight from the free throw line. French and Shoeneck each scored seven points to lead the Mustangs.
After Koupal picked up her fourth foul at the 13:06 mark, Southwest State made their second half comeback. USD led 54-41 with 11:59 to play before Southwest State went on a 15-0 run to grab a 56-55 lead with 7:23 to play. During that run, Southwest State had a trio of three-pointers, two from Bruns and one from Roddell. USD took its final lead of the game at 5:42 when Koupal scored inside for a 59-58 advantage.
USD moved within 65-64 at the 2:19 mark after a Koupal free throw but could not get any closer. French made a lay-up at the 1:19 mark and Southwest State hit four of four free throws in the final minute to hold off the Coyotes.
South Dakota will now host Sioux Falls on December 29 at 3 p.m. in the DakotaDome.
