VERMILLION, S.D.—South Dakota used a 27-5 run during a 13-minute span in the middle of the first half to quickly put away York in an 82-55 win Wednesday inside the DakotaDome. Coyote senior Tre Burnette came off the bench to record game highs of 14 points and 15 rebounds – his sixth double-double of the season.
 
York, an NAIA Division II team from Nebraska, served as a filler for the Coyotes' final bye slot in the Summit League slate. Wednesday's game counted as an exhibition for the Panthers, who are 20-8 on the season. Marcus Price led York with 12 points and seven rebounds. He was the only Panther who reached double figures.
 
South Dakota improved to 13-15 and 6-5 at home. The Coyotes' will say goodbye to the DakotaDome Sunday following a 2 p.m. tip against Denver (13-13, 5-8). The program will honor its senior class and announce its Mount Rushmore of USD basketball in 37 years of playing inside the DakotaDome. South Dakota can also secure a Summit League Tournament berth with a win coupled with a Western Illinois loss against South Dakota State on Saturday.
 
"We have a golden opportunity in front of us to finish this season out right in the Dome," said USD head coach Craig Smith. "The DakotaDome has a rich tradition of USD basketball. I know we are honoring many former basketball players on both the men's and women's sides. Hopefully we will have a great crowd and celebrate. It should be a fantastic weekend for the Yotes."
 
The Coyotes got extended minutes from their bench against York. USD non-starters combined for 44 points and 40 of the team's 52 rebounds. In addition to Burnette, South Dakota got eight points and six boards from Austin Sparks, seven points from Dan Jech and five points each from Duol Mayot, Tyler Hagedorn and Logan Power.
 
York made 2 of 22 shots and committed seven turnovers during South Dakota's 27-5 run that resulted in a 28-11 lead with less than five minutes to play in the first half. Burnette had 11 points and 10 rebounds by halftime and Tyler Flack scored nine of his 13 points in the first stanza. USD led 37-23 at the break.
 
South Dakota's largest lead was 73-40 with five minutes remaining. Burnette and the starting five had their night end around the eight-minute mark. The Coyotes shot 50 percent from the field despite a 1 of 17 effort from 3-point range. York finished under 30 percent (21 of 71) and made 7 of 23 triples.
 
South Dakota on Sunday will look to avenge a 66-52 loss at Denver back on Jan. 28. Denver and Oral Roberts stand one game ahead of the Coyotes in a tie for sixth place with three games to go. USD swept the season series with Oral Roberts and can get even with the Pioneers.
 
"It's kind of an end to an era – the last time in the DakotaDome and we're moving on to the new arena," said Smith. "There have been many fantastic players and teams that have gone through this program. The rich tradition of USD basketball was a huge part of the draw for me, selfishly, wanting to come here."