VERMILLION, S.D. -- The University of South Dakota women's basketball team, led by Jeana Hoffman's 17 points, advanced to the NCAA Division II North Central Regional Championship after defeating Nebraska-Kearney, 59-48, on Saturday before 2,320 in attendance at the DakotaDome.

The Coyotes, ranked third in NCAA Division II, will host fellow North Central Conference foe Minnesota State (23-8) in the regional final at 7 p.m. on Monday night at the DakotaDome. This will be The U's third appearance in the "Sweet 16" and the first since the 2002-03 season.

Minnesota State defeated Wayne State in the other regional semifinal on Saturday at the Dome. The Coyotes have defeated Minnesota State three times this season, including an 85-74 decision in the semifinals of the North Central Conference Tournament. The winner of the USD/MSU game will advance to the Elite Eight Championships on March 26, 27 and 29 in Kearney, Neb.

South Dakota, which defeated Nebraska-Kearney for the second time this season, won for the 28th consecutive time and improved to 30-1 on the season. The Coyotes also increased their home winning streak to 21 games while improving to 5-7 all-time in the Division II playoffs.

Hoffman (Sr., Mitchell, S.D.) made 5-of-14 field goals, including 4-of-8 from three-point range. This is the 15th time this season that Hoffman has had four or more three-point field goals in a game. She now has 184 three-point baskets in her career, which ranks second on the Coyote all-time chart. USD, which leads the nation in three-point baskets per game (9.8 per game), continues to break the school record for three-point field goals. The Coyotes have made 302 this season (previous record, 286, 2003-04).

Shannon Daly (Sr., Groton, S.D.) scored 12 points while contributing two rebounds and two assists. Freshman Amber Hegge (Crofton, Neb.) had her second straight double-digit scoring game with 12 points while also grabbing four rebounds.

The Coyotes struggled from the field by hitting just 32.1 percent from the field on 17-of-53 field goals. They were 7-of-15 for 46.7 percent from three-point range. USD was also 18-of-30 from the foul line for 60 percent.

Nebraska-Kearney, which won the rebound battle, 53-39, also had troubles on offense. The Lopers made just 25 percent from the field on 15-of-60 shooting. They were 1-of-5 from three-point range. The Lopers converted 17-of-25 shots from the free throw line for 68 percent.

UNK, which was led by 17 points and 16 rebounds from Amy Mathis, ended their season at 27-7.

Things started quickly for the Coyotes as Hoffman knocked home a pair of three-point field goals in the opening 1:23 of the game for a 6-0 lead. A basket by Hegge provided USD with an 11-6 lead at the 14:42 mark of the first half. Later, Daly scored on a drive to the basket to give the Coyotes a 15-8 advantage with 12:38 to play. For the next five minutes, the Coyotes were able to build on the lead without scoring from the field. South Dakota opened up a 22-10 lead on the strength of seven free throws. After USD grabbed a 29-16 lead at the 3:06 mark, the Lopers made a run at the Coyotes.

Using a 9-1 run, Nebraska-Kearney cut the lead to 30-25 on a lay-up by Megan Becker with :35 seconds left in the half. Then, Jeana Hoffman stepped up with a huge shot. With the clocking running out, the senior guard knocked down a three-point basket to give South Dakota a 33-25 halftime lead.

South Dakota won for the 39th straight time when leading at halftime but it wasn't without a challenge from the Lopers.

Bridget Yoerger (Jr., Hinton, Iowa), who had nine points and nine rebounds, scored an inside basket at the 17:44 mark for a 35-25 Coyote advantage. Later, Jenna Hoffman (Sr., Mitchell, S.D.), who had six points and six rebounds, helped the Coyotes to a 40-27 lead with a three-point basket. Hoffman also recorded three steals and now has 73 this season. That total by Hoffman ties her for sixth on The U's season chart with Stacy Schooley (2003-04).

After that points were difficult to come by for both teams. USD did not score again until Hegge's lay-up with 8:34 left in the game helped the Coyotes to a 42-32 advantage.

Despite their struggles on offense, the Coyote defense kept the Lopers at bay. The Coyotes were able to take a 47-35 lead at the 6:07 mark when Jeana Hoffman hit a three-point shot. On the Coyotes' ensuing possession, Hegge connected from three-point range as South Dakota built a 50-38 lead. Daly also hit a three-point shot at the 4:18 mark as USD's lead grew to 53-40.

Later, Nebraska-Kearney cut the lead to 55-46 after Hinkley made a foul shot. However that was as close as they would get to the Coyotes. Hegge closed out the scoring with a pair of free throws with :28 seconds left on the clock.