MANKATO, MINN. (Jan. 29, 2005)-- A three-point play with 0.6 seconds remaining in the game lifted Minnesota State (8-11, 2-4 NCC) to a 75-74 win over South Dakota (13-7, 1-4 NCC) in North Central Conference women's basketball at the Bresnan Arena in Mankato, Minn., on Saturday night before 3,687 fans in attendance.

MSU's Jamie Kienitz won a scramble for a loose basketball in the final seconds and she tossed the ball into the basket while being fouled. Her free throw provided the difference in a heartbreaking loss by South Dakota, which has lost four straight NCC games.

USD received career-highs off the bench from freshmen Ashley Robinette (South Sioux City, Neb.) and Ashley Bjorkman (Vermillion, S.D.), who combined for 42 of the Coyotes 74 points. Bjorkman scored 22 on 8-of-13 shooting (6-of-9 three-pointers), while Robinette had 20 points. Jenni Flynn (South Sioux City, Neb.) also chipped in 13 points for USD, including 3-of-5 from three-point range. Junior guard Meghan Woster had a career-best 13 assists for USD.

Arin Andrews scored a career-high 25 points to lead the Mavericks, who had 14 points from Heather Peterson and 10 from Kienitz.

The Coyotes made 26-of-53 field goals for 49.1 percent, including 11-of-24 (45.8 percent) from three-point range. The Coyotes, who led 35-34 at halftime, also made 1-of-15 free throws. Meanwhile, MSU was 26-of-57 from the field, although they made just 2-of-15 from beyond the three-point arc. MSU was 21-of-25 from the foul line.

The Mavericks outrebounded South Dakota, 38-25.

USD increased its advantage to 37-34 with 19:27 to play. MSU responded with a 8-3 run to take a 44-40 lead with 14:44 to play. It was MSU's largest lead in the second half. With 10 minutes to play, USD's Robinette scored inside to give USD a 54-52 lead. Later, Andrews scored inside to give MSU a 64-61 lead with 4:53 left on the clock. USD rebounded and grabbed a 69-66 lead on a three-point basket by Flynn with 2:47 to play. A lay-up by MSU's Alanna Wahl helped MSU to a 70-69 lead with 2:15 to play. A three-point play by Robinette gave USd a 72-70 lead at the two-minute mark. After MSU tied the game (1:41), a jumper by Woster gave USD a 74-72 lead and set the stage for Kientiz's last-second heroics.

The Coyotes will travel to Omaha, Neb., on Thrusday, Feb. 3, to square off with Nebraska-Omaha at 6 p.m. USD returns home on Feb. 5 to host nationally-ranked Minnesota-Duluth at the DakotaDome with game-time set for 6 p.m.