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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 won for the 26th straight time and earned the automatic berth to the NCAA Division II playoffs.

The complete field will be announced by the NCAA women's basketball committee on Sunday evening.

USD's Jeana Hoffman (Sr., Mitchell, S.D.) 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 and Heather Johnson of Minnesota State.

In a season when USD's 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 68.1 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 and forced the Sioux to make a three-point shot in the closing seconds. When Guinn's long shot was off line in the closing seconds, the Coyote 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 also had two rebounds and two assists.

Along with Hoffman, 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. They made 13-of-32 shots from three-point range for 40.6 percent. In the two games the Coyotes converted 25-of-56 shots from three-point range. The U was also 26-of-71 from the field for 36.6 percent and made all seven of their free throw attempts.

North Dakota was led by Kimbrough with 19 points and eight rebounds. Ashley Langen had a double double with 17 points and 13 rebounds while Danye Guinn had 15 points. They were 25-of-54 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.

NCC Women's Basketball All Tournament Team
Ashley Robinette, South Dakota
Bridget Yoerger, South Dakota
Heather Johnson, Minnesota State
Karla Beck, North Dakota
Kierah Kimbrough, North Dakota

MVP - Jeana Hoffman, South Dakota

Courtesy - USD Sports Information