GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The recipe for third-ranked North Dakota (29-3) was inside stuff in a 72-49 win over the 22nd-ranked South Dakota Women's Basketball Team (22-8) in the finals of the North Central Conference Tournament at the Betty Engelstadt Center on Sunday in Grand Forks, N.D.

North Dakota outscored USD in the paint, 22-10 led by the forward combo of Kierah Kimbrough and Ashley Langen who combined for 35 points and 22 rebounds.

The Coyotes lost for the eighth straight time to UND, which defeated USD, three times this season, including two in Grand Forks. USD also lost to UND in the NCC title game for the second time in three seasons. UND picked up an 84-69 decision in the 2004-05 tournament final.

"I was very pleased with our effort," said South Dakota head coach Chad Lavin, who saw his team's NCC Tournament mark fall to 7-7. "We really worked hard on defense but we just struggled to score tonight. You can't fault how hard this team worked because they stayed after all night," he said.

Now, the Coyotes await word on announcement of the playoff participants for the NCAA Division II North Central Regional Tournament which is set to open on Friday. UND is likely to receive word that it will be the top seed and the tournament host. USD, which was ranked third in the most recent regional ranking on Feb. 28, seems secure for a berth and will find out the verdict on Sunday night. USD's last playoff berth was the 2003-04 team that finished 25-7.

Ashley Bjorkman of Vermillion, S.D., had 15 points to lead USD as she hit three shots from beyond the three-point arc. For Bjorkman, who was making her third start of the season, it was her second consecutive double digit game. Shannon Daly, a point guard from Groton, S.D., added 12 points, including 3-of-3 from three-point range. Daly also had three rebounds. Jenna Hoffman, a junior from Mitchell, S.D., led USD with eight rebounds and also contributed five points. Bridget Yoerger, a sophomore from Hinton, S.D., had nine points and four rebounds.

Kimbrough led UND with 18 points and eight rebounds and was named the NCC Tourney MVP. Ashley Langen added 15 points and 13 rebounds.

South Dakota struggled shooting against the bigger North Dakota squad. The Coyotes hit just 30.5 percent from the field on 18-of-59 shooting. USD was also 7-of-24 for 29.2 percent from three-point range. The Coyotes made 6-of-11 from the foul line. The Coyotes lost the rebound battle, 52-34. USD scored its second lowest point total of the season and the shooting percentage was also its second worst in 2006-07.

UND was 29-of-70 from the field for 41.4 percent and also hit 7-of-18 from three point range for 38.9 percent. UND hit 7-of-8 free throws.

After North Dakota opened the game with a 4-0 lead at the 16:49 mark, Bjorkman put the Coyotes on the board with a jumper. USD drew within 11-10 at the 13:38 mark when Jenna Hoffman hit a three-point basket.

USD stayed close when Jasmine Mosley (Bellevue, Neb.) scored on a lay-up off a Hoffman assist. Later, Bjorkman hit her second three of the game at 8:50 to draw USD within 18-17.

After that UND scored 11 straight points with Langen's inside basket three pointer providing a 29-17 lead at the 6:19 mark. UND stretched the advantage to 33-19 when Jahner hit a basket at the 5:03 mark. Yoerger's inside basket at the 2:23 mark of the first half brought USD within 35-23. At the first half horn, Baagason hit a three pointer to give UND a 42-25 advantage. Kimbrough led UND with 14 points with Langen adding eight. UND hit 44.7 percent from the field. The Coyotes received 12 points from Bjorkman, who had a pair of three-pointers.

The Coyotes made 11-of-27 field goals for 40.7 percent, including 3-of-9 from three-point range for 33.3 percent during the first half. USD did not shoot any free throws and UND had just four (4-4).

Ashley Robinette (South Sioux City, Neb.) scored at 12:03 of the second half to draw USD within, 51-35. Daly hit her second three of the half at the 10:21 mark to cut the lead to 53-38. That was as close as the Coyotes would get. Bjorkman's three at 7:14 cut the lead to 60-43. Later, Mosley scored on a drive to the basket to reduce the deficit to 70-49 with 2:31 left in the game.