VERMILLION, S.D. -- The University of South Dakota women's basketball team, led by Jeana Hoffman's 20 points, won the school's first-ever North Central Conference Tournament Championship with a 72-69 decision over fifth-ranked North Dakota on Sunday afternoon before 3,250 in attendance at the DakotaDome.

South Dakota, which improved to 28-1 on the season, ended a string of seven consecutive tournament championships by North Dakota. The Coyotes, ranked third in NCAA Division II, won for the 26th straight time and earned the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Division II playoffs. The complete field will be announced by the NCAA women's basketball committee at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday evening (www.cstv.com/ncaa/divii or www.ncaa.com).

USD's 28 wins this season breaks the school record of 27-5 set by the 2002-03 team, also coach by Chad Lavin. In addition, the Coyotes won the regular season crown (12-0) and the NCC Tournament in the same year for the first time.

Hoffman (Sr., Mitchell, S.D.), who tied a season-high with six three-point field goals, was named the NCC Tournament MVP. She was joined on the team by two other Coyotes - senior Ashley Robinette (South Sioux City, Neb.) and junior forward Bridget Yoerger (Hinton, Iowa). Other members of the all-tournament team included Karla Beck and Kierah Kimbrough of North Dakota as well as Heather Johnson of Minnesota State.

In a season when USD has struggled at times at the free throw line, it was their work at the foul line that made the difference on Sunday. South Dakota, which averages 68.7 percent from the foul line, made all seven attempts against UND. It was Yoerger's two free throws with nine seconds to go that provided the Coyotes with a three-point lead (72-69) and forced the Sioux to make a three-point shot in the closing seconds. When Danye Guinn's long shot was off line, the Coyotes began celebrating the title.

Hoffman scored 20 points by making 7-of-18 field goals, including 6-of-13 shots from three-point range. It is the fourth time this season that Hoffman has made six 3-point shots in the same game. She recorded the 18th 20-point game of her career and now has 512 points this season, which ranks fifth on the Coyote all-time chart.

Three other Coyotes scored in double figures, including Yoerger, who had her 11th career double double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Robinette had 14 points and hit 4-of-7 three-point field goals. During the tournament, she made 7-of-11 shots from three-point range. Shannon Daly (Sr., Groton, S.D.) added 12 points for USD.

The Coyotes had a solid weekend from the perimeter. Against UND, they made 13-of-32 shots from three-point range for 40.6 percent. In the two games of the tournament, the Coyotes converted 25-of-56 shots for 44.6 percent from three-point range.

North Dakota, which had an 18-game NCC Tournament winning streak snapped by USD, was led by Kimbrough with 19 points and eight rebounds. Ashley Langen had a double double with 17 points and 13 rebounds while Guinn scored 15 points. The Sioux connected on 25-of-54 shots from the field for 46.3 percent, including 7-of-12 from three-point range. UND was perfect from the foul line by making 12-of-12 shots.

South Dakota, which now has won 19 straight home games, jumped to a quick start against the Sioux. Robinette, Hoffman and Daly made three-point baskets as the Coyotes led 9-2 just 2:41 into the game. Later, Hoffman hit a jumper to give the Coyotes a 16-9 lead with 12:08 to play in the first half. North Dakota fought back to within 20-17 at the 9:27 mark. However, the Coyotes fought off the challenge and took a nine-point lead at 28-19 when Yoerger made a lay-up with 5:36 to play.

A lay-up by Jenna Hoffman (Sr., Mitchell, S.D.), who had seven points, six assists and seven rebounds, gave the Coyotes a nine-point lead with 2:09 to play. Jeana Hoffman's three-point shot with 54 seconds left gave the Coyotes a 35-23 halftime lead.

During the NCC Tournament, the Coyote defense has played a critical role in helping build double digits leads at halftime in both games. Against North Dakota, the Coyotes owned a 14-0 advantage in points off turnovers in the first half.

While the Coyotes won their 38th straight game when leading at halftime, the Sioux made it difficult. North Dakota opened the second half on a 22-10 run and cut The U's lead to 48-45 with 11:33 left in the half.

One of the calling cards for the Coyotes this season has been an ability to make big shots down the stretch of games. Robinette continued that trend against UND.

After the Sioux cut the lead to three points, the senior forward connected on a three-point shot as the Coyotes maintained a 51-45 advantage. At the 6:26 mark, UND made a late charge as Beck's three-point shot cut the lead to 56-53. After Kimbrough scored inside, Beck's lay-up with 4:57 left gave USD a 57-56 lead.

Once again, Robinette stepped up for the Coyotes. She hit consecutive three-point baskets for a 62-57 lead with 4:27 left in the game. At the 3:16 mark, Jeana Hoffman hit a three-pointer as South Dakota took a 68-61 lead.

While UND never caught the Coyotes, they made things interesting. Two foul shots by USD's Daly gave the Coyotes a 70-66 lead at the 1:56 mark. Kimbrough answered with a three-point play to pull UND within one point with 1:07 left on the clock.

After the Coyotes missed a jumper, the Sioux turned the ball over with :17 seconds left on the clock. They fouled Yoerger with nine seconds to go and the junior made both shots as the Coyotes won the final NCC Tournament title.