VERMILLION, S.D. -- The University of South Dakota women's basketball team connected on 12 three-pointers and defeated Minnesota State, 85-74, in the semifinals of the North Central Conference Tournament on Saturday before 3,110 in attendance at the DakotaDome.

South Dakota, which is ranked third in NCAA Division II, won for the 25th consecutive time this season. The Coyotes (27-1) also tied the school record (2002-03, 27-5) for wins in a season with 27.

South Dakota, seeded number one in the tournament, will now face second-seeded North Dakota in the NCC Tournament Championship game at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the DakotaDome. It will be the second straight year that The U and North Dakota will meet in the NCC Tournament Championship game. The winner of the USD/UND game will receive an automatic berth for the NCAA Division II playoffs that begin next weekend.

A year ago, UND defeated the Coyotes, 72-49, in the NCC title game at Grand Forks, N.D. This season, South Dakota owns a pair of regular season wins over UND, including a 70-67 decision on January 19 at Grand Forks and a 76-65 win on February 21 at the DakotaDome.

On Saturday, South Dakota beat MSU for the third straight time this season. It was the second straight win by the Coyotes over the Mavericks in the NCC Tournament. A year ago, the Coyotes defeated MSU, 68-60, in the first round. USD, which is now 10-8 overall in NCC Tournament games, won for the 18th straight time at the DakotaDome.

Leading the way for the Coyotes was Jeana Hoffman (Sr., Mitchell, S.D.), who had 22 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Hoffman recorded her 12th 20-point game of the season and 17th of her career. In addition, she made five three-point baskets which gives her 100 for the season.

Led by Hoffman's outside artistry, the Coyotes made 12-of-24 three-point shots for 50 percent. The U was 9-of-14 for 64.3 percent from beyond the three-point arc in the first half. When USD makes 10 or more three-point shots in a game, they are 23-2 over the past two seasons.

Three other Coyotes joined Hoffman in double figures. Jenna Hoffman (Sr., Mitchell, S.D.) added 14 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and a blocked shot.

Senior forward Ashley Robinette (South Sioux City, Neb.) had 11 points, including 3-of-4 from three-point range. Robinette now has 134 three-point field goals in her career which moved her into seventh place on the U's all-time list.

Senior guard Shannon Daly (Groton, S.D.) scored 10 points while handing out two assists and recording two steals. Overall, the Coyotes were 28-of-56 from the field for 50 percent. The U struggled at the foul line by converting just 17-of-28 for 60.7 percent. Freshman Amber Hegge (Crofton, Neb.) had eight points, seven rebounds and three assists. Hegge also had two blocked shots which moved her into third place on the USD season chart with 44.

MSU (21-8), which was led in scoring by Heather Johnson with 22 points, hit 46.4 percent from the field on 26-of-56 shooting. They were 4-of-11 from three-point range and 18-of-23 (78.3 percent) from the free throw line.

After both teams traded baskets early in the game, the Coyotes used a 15-2 run to take a 22-9 lead at the 12:04 mark after a three-point field goal by Maggie Youngberg (Jr., Yankton, S.D.).

The U built the lead to 28-11 on Jeana Hoffman's three-point field goal at the 8:48 mark of the opening half. Less than a minute later, Daly connected from long range as the Coyotes increased the lead to 34-13 (7:30, first half).

MSU gradually cut into the lead as Joanne Noreen's two foul shots reduced the deficit to 42-29 at the 2:38 mark. However, the Coyotes outscored MSU, 10-6, to take a 52-35 halftime lead. With that point total, the Coyotes tied a season-high for points in the first half with 52 (Colorado Christian, Nov. 19, 2007).

USD was able to build the 17-point halftime lead on the strength of a 22-0 advantage in points off turnovers. The Coyotes' bench also played a key role by outscoring the Mavericks, 14-4.

A three-point shot by Jeana Hoffman provided USD with a 61-44 lead at the 15:47 mark of the second half. MSU responded with a 9-2 run to cut The U's lead to 64-53 at the 11:23 mark. The Coyotes regained a 16-point lead (73-57) after Jenna Hoffman hit a jumper with 7:07 to play in the game. The Mavericks, seeded fourth in the tournament, continued to battle as they had an 11-4 run to trimmed USD's lead to nine points (77-68) at the 2:54 mark. South Dakota answered with a 6-0 run to take a 83-68 advantage with 1:43 left in the game.