VERMILLION, S.D. - The University of South Dakota's Jesse Becker scored a career-high 31 points and added six assists and five rebounds to help
Coyote men's basketball team fend off the University of North Dakota, 86-75, on Saturday in Vermillion, S.D.
South Dakota improved to 17-5 overall and increased its winning streak to 14 games, while North Dakota fell to 11-8 overall. It was USD's second win over North Dakota in as many weeks, as the Coyotes won the meeting in Grand Forks, N.D.., 98-77 on Jan. 24.
USD had three players score in double figures with Becker leading the way at 31 points followed by a double-double performance from Dylan Grimsley (Sr., Sioux City, Iowa) with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Tyler Cain (Jr. Rochester, Minn.) added 16 points and eight rebounds.
The Coyotes held a 45-43 edge over North Dakota on the boards as Grimsley had 10 and Steve Smith (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) added nine.
USD dominated the first half with an impressive display on both ends of the floor. USD led by as many as 23 points on its way to a 48-27 halftime advantage. North Dakota never led in the first half.
Becker was a big part of the Coyotes' first half. He scored 21 points in the first half alone on 8-of-11 shooting (72.7 percent) in helping USD control the opening 20 minutes. Becker also had three assists.
Cain also was a force in the paint with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Grimsley added six points and six rebounds in the first half.
USD shot 55.9 percent (19-of-34) from the field in the first half and held North Dakota to just 37.5 percent. USD also was 6-of-11 from three-point range.
The second half saw the Coyotes cool off from the field as they hit just 27.6 percent of their field-goal attempts. The result was a rally by UND which cut the USD lead to 57-52 with 9:58 left.
The Coyotes weathered the storm, however, and made some crucial plays in the final minutes to put the game away.
Two of the biggest plays came on a three-pointer by Becker with 5:02 left, which stretched USD's lead back to 69-60, and on a three-pointer by Louie Krogman (Fr., White River, S.D.) with 3:03 left to push USD's lead back to 12 points.
The Coyotes iced the game from the free-throw line by going 11-of-12 in the final minute. Becker and Roman Gentry (Jr., Sioux City, Iowa), each went 4-for-4 in the final minute.
Gentry finished with eight points for USD. Smith had nine rebounds and three blocks. USD held a big edge at the free-throw line, hitting 24-of-34 attempts, compared to 4-of-12 for UND.
The Coyotes resume action on Monday, Feb. 2 at home against Lake Erie College. Game time is 7 p.m. at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
Notes: Becker, Cain and Grimsley were honored at halftime of the UND-USD women's game for career achievements. Becker, who recorded his 1,000th career point last season against UND, was honored for the achievement; Cain was honored for setting the new career blocks record and for passing 500 career rebounds; and Grimsley was honored for passing 1,000 career points in a win over Chadron State earlier this season. Coyote coach Dave Boots presented each player with a game ball for their achievements...Becker is now at 1,296 points for his career, which is 15th all-time...Grimsley is at 1,209 points, which is 21st all -time...Cain is now at 235 blocks for his career (first all-time) and is at 680 rebounds for his career, which is tied for 13th all-time.
