Jan. 5, 2001

Box Score

VERMILLION, S.D. - Junior forward Jimmie Foster had his best night as a Coyote as he scored 30 points to lead the University of South Dakota men's basketball team (10-2, 4-1 NCC) to a 80-74 win over Northern Colorado (7-5, 2-2 NCC) in North Central Conference basketball in the DakotaDome Friday night before 2,430 in attendance. For the two-time defending North Central Conference champions, the win was not without a few tense moments as Northern Colorado rallied from a 16-point deficit to make the game close in the second half. But Foster stepped up late in the game, as the Coyotes stayed unbeaten at home with a 6-0 mark in the 2000-01 season. Since Coyote head coach Dave Boots has been at the helm, the Coyotes have recorded a 156-30 home record.

Foster, who transferred to USD this fall after playing at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, made 11-of-14 field goals, including a three-point basket in the closing minutes. He also made 7-of-9 free throws and pulled down six rebounds. Foster's 30 points were the most by a Coyote since former Coyote all-American forward Nate Blessen hit 30 points on December 3, 1998. Foster has now scored double figures in five straight games and in nine games this season. His inside play coupled with that of senior center Jason Barrow proved important in the game. Barrow, who made 7-of-12 field goals and 7-of-10 free throws, had 21 points and eight rebounds.

As has been the case for much of the season at home, the Coyotes jumped out quickly and led 6-0 at the 17:57 mark on a layup by Barrow. The lead moved to 13-2 when Foster scored inside at the 15:14 mark of the opening half. Then junior guard Paul Marshall, who had six points on the night, hit a three-point basket for a 20-11 lead at the 10:37 mark. A free throw by senior forward Jeremy Kudera gave the Coyotes a 23-11 lead at the 9:36 mark. After the Bears Matt Murray, who had 19 points, knocked home a three-point basket to draw Northern Colorado within 27-21, the Coyotes closed with a late flurry to grab a 41-27 halftime lead. USD went on a 14-6 run, keyed by Barrow's six points in the final five minutes of the opening half.

Down 14 points, Northern Colorado opened the second half on fire. They outscored the Coyotes 18-7 to draw within 48-45 at the 12:41 mark after Tim Graham converted a layup. Two free throws by Kudera moved the lead back to five points (12:23), and Foster scored inside at the 11:48 mark to give USD a 52-45 advantage. The Bears continued to claw back and moved to within 55-52 on a layup by Brian Jamros with 9:09 to play. Kudera answered with a three-point basket at the 8:50 mark but the Bear's Reggie York scored inside to draw Northern Colorado to within 58-54 with 8:07 left in the game. A basket and free throw by York pulled the Bears closer at 60-57 at the 6:46 mark, and, when Murray hit a jumper, the Coyotes' margin was just one at 60-59 with 6:15 left in the second half. Then Foster made several big plays on the offensive end in the final six minutes. He hit a pair of free throws to give the Coyotes a 62-59 lead and then converted an inside basket for a 67-63 Coyote lead with 3:24 left to play. At the 2:46 mark, Foster hit a three-point basket, and Kudera hit another long-range basket as the Coyotes gained a 73-65 lead (1:59). Two free throws by Foster and a layup by Barrow gave the Coyotes a 77-68 lead with 1:08 to play and with it their fourth win in five conference games. A three-point basket by the Bears' Kevin Knudson with 15 seconds left was the game's final points.

Kudera added 11 points and seven rebounds while senior point guard Nate Tibbetts had eight points, nine assists, two steals and a blocked shot. The Coyotes had five steals and six blocked shots on the night.

The Bears received 17 points from Michael Morse and 10 points from Knudson. Northern Colorado held a 34-30 rebound edge over USD.