VERMILLION, S.D. -- It didn't take long for
The University of South Dakota men's basketball team to rebound from their heartbreaking first loss of the season. In their final non-conference game of the regular season, the nation's third-ranked team cruised to a 95-48 victory over Hastings College (Neb.).
The Coyotes (15-1) showcased a little bit of everything in the win over the Broncos (16-4), who are ranked 15th in NAIA. USD put up its fifth 90-plus point total by displaying an outstanding balanced scoring attack. They also held their opponent to under 50 points for the fifth time this season thanks to intense team defense and Tyler Cain (So., Rochester, Minn.).
The 6-8 forward continued his onslaught of USD's record book for blocked shots. In just 25 minutes of action Cain blocked 10 shots, setting the school single game record. Earlier in the season he tied the record with nine against Nebraska-Kearney. Cain also recorded the second-most blocks in a single game this season in all of NCAA Division II. On December 2 Mervyn Clark from Oakland City had 11 to set the nation's single game high for the season.
With his 10 blocked shots Cain also moved past Steve Anderson (2000-02, 03-05) into second place on the career blocks list. In addition to his defensive performance, he also grabbed six rebounds and scored four points.
Cain wasn't the only Coyote that put together a strong defensive effort. Nick Morrell (Sr., Ogallala, Neb.), who started in place of the injured Dustin Little, recorded five of USD's 13 steals on the night. Morrell also scored 14 points, grabbed three rebounds and dished out three assists.
On the offensive end five Coyotes scored in double-digits, again led by Dylan Grimsley (Jr., Sioux City, Iowa). On 7-of-12 shooting from the floor he scored a game-high 20 points, marking the fourth time this season he has scored 20 or more points. He also had a game-high in rebounds with eight as USD out-rebounded the Broncos 52-37.
Eric Hall (Sr., Huron, S.D.) was The U's other starter to score in double-figures in limited action. He scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds. Mitch Begeman (Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Nate David (RFr., Dubuque, Iowa) combined for 21 points off the bench. Begeman had 11 points and seven rebounds while David scored 10 points in just nine minutes.
All 10 Coyotes that played in the game scored at least three points.
Hastings looked as though they were going to give the Coyotes an intense battle as they stayed neck and neck through the first seven and a half minutes of play. The score was tied at 8-8 when Hall made a layup at the 12:31 mark that opened up the flood gates for USD. That layup sparked a 23-3 run by South Dakota that spanned over seven minutes.
The run helped USD take a 44-18 lead into halftime. It is the fourth time this season that the Coyotes have held an opponent to under 20 points in a half.
The 3rd-ranked Coyotes will be back in NCC action this weekend when they travel north to Grand Forks, N.D. to face the University of North Dakota. South Dakota will take on the Sioux on Saturday, January 19 at 4:00 p.m.
