BROOKINGS, S.D. - Reigning in threes at a highly proficient rate helped the No. 7 University of South Dakota Coyotes to a 83-68 win over Concordia St. Paul in the opening round of the NCAA Division II North Central Conference regional playoffs at Frost Arena on Friday afternoon.
South Dakota (26-4) hit 13-of-24 from three-point range, including 7-of-11 in the second hall for 63.6 percent. Six different players knocked home three-pointers, including three each from Renae Luecke (Sioux Falls, S.D.), Julia Frie (Byron, Minn.) and Stacy Schooley (Watertown, S.D.). Mandy Koupal, who had just two points at halftime, lit it up in the second stanza, finishing with 19 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Frie had 19 points, Heather Nelson (Yankton, S.D.) added 15 while Stacey Schooley provided 12 points, six assists and five rebounds.
"They were everything I thought and more. They have a bundle of talent," South Dakota head coach Chad Lavin said of the taller and more physical Concordia St. Paul team. "Our kids played really well. Offensively, we were solid. I think we took what they gave us and that is the way we play," added Lavin, who improved his NCAA Division II playoff record to 2-4.
USD now plays North Dakota State on Saturday night at 6 p.m. at Frost Arena. NDSU bested Nebraska-Kearney, 76-69 in the first game on Friday.
South Dakota struggled for much of the first half, probably with a bit with nerves. But slowly the Coyotes built a working first-half margin.
Schooley, who had three, three-pointers, connected from deep in the opening minute of the game. When junior guard Erin Bourne hit a jumped at the 18:42 mark, USD had a 5-0 lead. A Bourne three moved the lead to 8-2. But, Concordia St. Paul, behind the play of Lisa Harfield fought back. A basket by Harfield, who had 13 first-half points and 20 points on the night, tied the game at 13-13 at the 14-minute mark However, the Coyotes responded each time they were challenged. A lay-up by Frie and free throw after being fouled increased USD's lead to 23-19. Then, Schooley added her third three of the half as USD took a 26-19 lead at the 6:39 mark. The Coyotes' margin grew to 33-23 when Luecke hit a three-pointer at the 2:43 mark. Koupal, who missed her first four shots, finally connected inside to give USD a 37-26 just :19 seconds before halftime.
In the second, half USD grabbed control of the game early and then held off several runs by Concordia-St. Paul. Koupal had a pair of three-pointers in the first five minutes as USD led 49-31 with 15:58 left in the game. However, CSP fought back to within 49-37 before Nelson connected on a jumper to stop that run at the 13:31 mark. CSP worked the deficit to 58-48 after Carly Christensen made a pair of free throws at the 9:46 mark.
But, as was the case in the first half, each time CSP came after South Dakota, the Coyotes answered. Leading 61-50, Frie hit a three-pointer and then converted three free throws on the next possession when she was fouled while attempting a three-pointer. USD extended the lead to 73-52 with 6:02 to play when Koupal knocked home a pair of free throws. After that CSP could draw no closer than the final score.
Overall, South Dakota hit 29-of-55 shots for 52.7 percent, including the 13-of-24 from three-point range. The Coyotes were 12-of-17 from the foul line. CSP hit 24-of-59 field goals for 40.7 percent, including just 4-of-13 from the three-point line. They were 16-of-24 from the foul line.
"Tonight, we knew that everybody had to step it up," said Schooley. "When we lost to UND, they had a lot of production from different players. In order for us to do well, it had to be a team effort," she said.
Frie said the key was the tempo. "We held them from running and kept the tempo in our style. That is when we play our best," she said.
Koupal, who also had five assists on the night, credited the win to her teammates. "I have the best teammates and coaches. My teammates kept us in the game and then in the second half, I was able to get some looks," said Koupal, who scored 17 points after halftime.
For Frie, who has been part of the major transformation of the Coyote program into one of the best in NCAA Division II, this win was huge. Since her arrival, USD has a 70-40 record after going 31-103 the previous five years to her arrival. "It has been a great ride. It is really enjoyable to have such a great season. We just want it to continue," she said.
Schooley, whose face was full of smiles in the post season press conference, the win was a great start. "It is awesome...nobody relaxed. We were never content in this game. Not even when we led by 11 points. You can't let up or you can lose a big lead. Yes, this really feels good."
Coyote Notes: When leading at halftime, USD is 37-3 over the past two seasons. They are 24-1 this season. This is the Coyotes' first playoff win since the 1983-84 season when they defeating North Dakota, 49-48, in the first round. Mandy Koupal, who already owns 10 school records, increased her season point total to 687 and has a shot at 700 points, which would be a first in school history. The Coyotes moved to 8-0 when they scored more than 80 points and 16-0 when holding opponents under 70 points. USD is 13-0 when hitting more than 10 three-pointers in a game. The last time USD had 13 3-pointers, USD defeated Augustana, 77-52.
