Women's Basketball Report: February 15
North Dakota 69, South Dakota 60
Grand Forks, N.D. -- On a night celebrating North Dakota's three seniors (Carissa Jahner, Kelsey Maffin and student assistant coach Lindsay Draayer), the entire women's basketball team had a hand in victory. The Sioux beat South Dakota 69-60 in front of 2,401 fans at Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.
Tonight wasn't an offensive showcase, by any means. However, the Sioux got big baskets that not only held their lead but ended the Coyote momentum. The Sioux defense was also stout, holding South Dakota to a 16-of-49 (32.7 percent) night from the field.
The Coyotes did lead deep into the second half, however. Natalie Carda hit two free throws to pull the Coyotes within 47-46 with 8:58 remaining in the second half. Then on their next possession, Carda nailed a three-pointer.
The Sioux responded on their next possession. Ashley Langen was fouled after hitting her own putback in the paint. She sank the free throw and the Sioux didn't trail from there.
Maffin hit a jumper in transition to give the Sioux a three-point lead. Then after Jenna Hoffman hit two free throws to once again pull USD within one point, freshman Jossy Bergan drained a three-pointer with 6:08 remaining for a 55-51.
USD later pulled within 62-59. However, Kierah Kimbrough scored two of her 10 points. Then Kayla Bagaason drained a three-pointer to seal it with 42 seconds remaining in regulation.
UND led by as many as nine points on two occasions in the second half, the latter coming at the 13:17 mark with a 41-31 score. USD went on a 17-6 run to tie it at 49.
Both teams shot poorly in the first half. The Sioux were 11-of-35 (31.4 percent), while USD went 6-of-25 (24 percent) from the field.
Jahner led all scorers with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Ahsley Langen had 11 points before fouling out.
The Coyotes were led by Carda's 17 points. Shannon Daly ended with 10 and Jenna Hoffman scored 13.
Minnesota State 62, Augustana 60
Sioux Falls, S.D. - Just one day after moving back into the top 10 in the national rankings, Augustana lost 62-60 to Minnesota State at the Sioux Falls Arena.
Augustana's first 2 minutes of the game was a warning of things to come as Minnesota State scored seven unanswered points before the Vikings found the basket. The Vikings then made 3 of their next 5 3-pointers in the next 4 minutes, tying the game at 11-11.
Augustana held the lead at 14-13 with 12 minutes left in the half, but wouldn't lead again in the half. With just under 3 minutes left, the Mavericks led by seven before the Vikings made a quick basket and a three-pointer. After a made free throw by Minnesota State, the half ended with the Mavericks on top 26-29.
Augie shot just 25 percent from the field in the first half (9 for 36) and was out-rebounded by the Mavericks 19-31. Minnesota State's Anna Voltmer recorded 10 rebounds in the first half alone and Augustana's Alison Adamson had 10 points.
The second half was back and forth before Augie took the lead at 37-36 with under 17 minutes left to play. They would not see the lead again.
Thanks to a 9-6 scoring run, the Mavericks took their biggest lead of the game at 57-47 with just 5 minutes left to play.
Augustana battled back, and an 11-1 scoring run tied the game at 60 with 25 seconds remaining on the clock. Tiffany Moe of Minnesota State hit the game-winning basket with four seconds left before Augustana's Adamson missed the 12 foot desperation jumper at the buzzer.
Augustana shot a season low 31.3 percent (20 for 64) from the field and 25 percent (9 for 36) from behind the arc. The Vikings also made just 53.6 percent (15 for 28) of their free throws, missing seven free throws in the last five minutes alone.
Adamson made just 1 free throw in the second half to finish with a team-high 11 points. Amy Puthoff had 10 points and 4 rebounds, and Ashley Holiday added 10 points and 5 rebounds. Amanda Ahrendt pulled down 9 rebounds.
The Mavericks also had three players scoring in
the double digits. Heather Johnson netted 14 while Joanne Noreen
scored 13. Liz Trauger recorded a double-double with 11 points and
11 rebounds, and Voltmer pulled down 15 rebounds.