GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The South Dakota women's basketball team (19-9) dropped a 68-62 decision to rival South Dakota State (24-7) in the semifinals of the Wells Fargo Finals on Friday night in Grand Forks, N.D. SDSU advances to the conference tournament championship game against #1 seed North Dakota (23-4) on Saturday at 6 p.m.

The #2 seeded South Dakota, which had won four straight and seven of its last eight games, suffered through a difficult shooting night as they hit just 19 of 53 field goals for 35.8 percent. They were one of 15 from three-point range for 6.7 percent. The Coyotes concerted 23 of 27 free throws for 85.2 percent.

After a tough first half when she hit just one of eight field goals, sophomore forward Mandy Koupal came out on fire in the second half by hitting eight of 11 field goals and finishing with a game-high 28 points to go with seven rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Koupal, who had her seventh game this season with at least 28 points, was named Co-MVP of the North Central Conference earlier in the day on Friday. She and junior forward Heather Nelson were first team all-NCC.

In terms of shooting, SDSU did not fare much better as they hit just 22 of 58 field goals for 37.9 percent. However they made eight of 25 shots from three-point range for 32 percent and they were 16 of 19 from the free throw line for 84.2 percent. Freshman Shannon Schlagel had 24 points while Shari Johnson added 17 points and Melissa Pater at 12 points and 15 rebounds.

South Dakota got off to good start but then suffered through a long scoring drought during first half action. A Mandy Koupal basket and two Heanter Nelson baskets gave USD a 6-2 lead at the 17:39 mark. From that points, until 12:07 remained in the half, the Coyotes went scoreless. USD hit just four of their first 11 shots and were missed all four of their three-points in the first 10 minutes of the first half. During that time, SDSU gradually built up a 10-point lead, moving ahead 16-6 at the 12:52 mark after Sarita DeBoer hits the second of two straight inside jumpers. It was part of a 14-0 run by the Jackrabbits. Finally, Amanda Iverson broke the 5:20 scoreless drought by the Coyotes at 12:07 to cut the lead to 16-8. Iverson again scored inside at 7:48 to trim the SDSU lead to 18-12. Then, Melissa Pater hit a three-pointer for a 21-12 lead.

USD's Nelson countered with a pair of free throws cut the lead to 21-14. After SDSU's Shari Johnson hita jumper, Alissa Koronkiewcz hit a free throw and then Stacy Schooley grabbed an errant second free throw to cut the deficit to 23-17.

Next, Iverson hit a pair of free throws at the 3:57 mark to cut the lead to 23-19 and then Nelson hits two free throws after being fouled on a jumper to cut the lead to 23-21 at the 3:31 mark. With 14 seconds to play in the half, USD's Dawn Sudbeck hit a jumper to give the Coyotes a 27-26 lead. It was their first lead since the 16:37 mark of the half. But SDSU countered by scoring the final four ponts of the half, including a three-pointer jumper at the buzzer by Johnson. South Dakota hit just seven of 27 field goals for 25.9 percent, including 0-7 from the three-point line. The Coyotes stayed close at the free throw line, making 13 of 15 free throws for 86.7 percent. SDSU was able to stay ahead due to their strong rebounding performance. They outrebounded South Dakota 27-18, including 11 offensive rebounds. The Coyotes were led in scoring by Nelson with eight points while Koupal had six. Meanwhile the Jacks hit 11 of 34 field goals for 32.4 percent, including four of 13 from three-point land. They were five of six from the free throw line. The Jacks were led by Pater with 10 points while Shannon Schlagel had seven. After SDSU opened up a 34-27 lead on a Schlagel three-point basket to open the second half, the Coyotes fought back with a 9-2 run to tie the game at 36 with 16:19 to play. Koupal scored all nine South Dakota points.

Iverson, who finished with nine points, scored inside and hit a free throw after being fouled to give USD a 42-39 lead. When Koupal hit again at 11:38, USD's lead was 46-41 and it appeared the Coyotes were in control. However, Schlagel hit a three-point basket at the 11:31 mark and Johnson connected from three-point land at the 10:20 mark for a 49-48 SDSU lead.

The teams exchanged leads for the next few minutes with Koupal scoring inside for a 52-51 lead at the 8:06 mark. Then after Johnson hit a three point basket at 7:42, Koupal scored again to tie the game at 7:24. Two free throws by Julia Frie tie the game at 56-56 at the 4:27 mark.

At that point, Schlagel hit a pair of free throws and then canned a three-pointer for a 61-56 at the 3:47 of the second half. It was a lead they did not relinquish to South Dakota. With 1:50 to play, Frie hit a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 63-60 but the Jacks made seven of eight free throws in the final 1:50 to seal the win.

GAME NOTES -- 1st half

Koupal scores inside at 19:47 for 2-0 lead Nelson hits jumper at 19:12 for 4-0 lead Pater hits for SDSU at 18:20 to cut lead to 4-2 Nelson gets steal and scores at 17:39 for 6-2 USD lead Schlagel scores at 17:10 to cut lead to 6-4 Pater hits three at 16:27 for a 7-6 SDSU lead Schlagel hits three at 15:56 for a 10-6 lead - Davis hits runner at 15:01 for a 12-6 lead and part of 10-0 SDSU run DeBoer hits shot at 14 min mark for a 14-6 lead and a 12-0 run Deborar hits at 12;52 for a 16-6 lead and 14-0 run Ivy scores at 12:07 to end runand cut lead to 16-8 Sudbeck fouled on drive hits both for cut lead to 16-10 at 11:36 mark Schlagel scores at 8 min mark for a 18-10 lead Ivy scores inside at 7:48 to cut the SDSU lead to 18-12 Pater hit three at 6:38 for 21-12 lead for Sdsu Nelson hits FT 2-2 for a 21-14 lead - Nellie has six to cut lead to 21-14 lead Koupal fouled and goes to line for one and one and misses front end. Shar Johnson hits jumper at 5:23 for a 23-14 lead Koronkiewicz at line for one and one and she hits front end misses second but Schooley grabs rebound to cut lead to 23-17 at 4:47 Ivy fouled underneath and she hits both to cut lead to 23-19 at 3:57 mark. Nelson fouled on jumper and hits both to cut lead to 23-21 at 3:31 mark Pater hits FT - 2-2 for a 25-21 lead at 3:21 ends 7-0 Coyote run Koupal fouled on jumper hits FT - 2-2 to cut deficit to 25-23 at 3:02 mark Koupal back on line after behind fouled and hits 2-2 to tie game at 25-25 at 1:07 mark Jamie Nelson fouled by Koupal with 42.5 seconds to paly and hits 1-2 for a 26-25 SDSU lead Sudbeck hits jumper at 14 seconds as Coyotes grab 27-26 lead Johnson fouled on drive and hits both for a 28-27 lead Johnson hits three at buzzer to give SDSU a 31-27 lead at the buzzer