Official Athletic Web Site of the University of South Dakota CoyotesMen's Basketball

Jan. 22, 2001

VERMILLION, S.D. - The No. 6 ranked South Dakota Coyotes (15-2, 8-1 in the NCC) set a new school record for three point baskets in a game as they cruised to a 92-44 nonconference win over the Presentation College Saints at the DakotaDome on Monday night (Jan. 22). In the game, the Coyotes made 18 of 41 three-point baskets for 43.9 percent. The 18 three-point baskets set a school record, breaking the mark of 16 vs. Augustana in 1991-92 and 16 vs. North Dakota in 1994-95.

Freshman guard Richard Ross hit four baskets from three-point range and had a game -high 16 points to lead the Coyotes to the win. Coyote senior forward Jeremy Kudera hit five of seven three-point shots for 15 points while junior Eric Hickenbottom and junior forward Scott Hansen each added 12 points for the Coyotes. In the past two games, Kudera has hit 12 three-point baskets. Both Kudera and Paul Marshall now have hit three-point baskets in all 17 of the Coyotes games this season.

The game with Presentation College (0-22), which is dually affiliated with the NAIA Division II in the Midwest Independent League and the National Small College Association, was scheduled as a make-up game for the Macalester College contest that was canceled due to weather conditions in December. With the win, the Coyotes have now won 54 straight nonconference home basketball games dating back to the 1991-92 season. The Coyotes are now 72-1 in home nonconference games since Dave Boots came to South Dakota in 1988. The win improved Boots' overall mark at South Dakota to 264-102 (.721). South Dakota is 159-30 (.842) at the DakotaDome under Boots, who has a 378-165 (.697) overall record. The Coyotes have won 33 of its past 34 nonconference games and the victory pushed South Dakota's home record to 9-0 in 2000-01.

Early on, South Dakota had trouble putting the ball in the basket, a problem that would be rectified as the night wore on. In the first half, the Coyotes hit just 14 of 37 shots for 37.8 percent. They were eight of 22 from three-point range for 36.4 percent and two of four from the foul line. The Coyotes jumped to a 6-0 lead (19:04) on a pair of three-point baskets by Kudera. Presentation fought back to 11-9 when Darrin Lorenz hit a pair of foul shots at the 13:54 mark. But Coach Randy Jordan's Saints did not get any closer. The Coyotes outscored the visitors, 27-6, to close the half and grab a 38-15 halftime lead. Kudera led South Dakota with nine points in the opening half while Presentation was led by Torrian Mitchell with five points. Presentation hit just four of 19 field goals for 21.1 percent in the first half. They hit two of five three-point baskets and made five of seven free throws.

In the second half, the Coyotes shot the ball much better as they made 18 of 32 shots for 56.2 percent and was 10 of 19 from three-point range. South Dakota opened up a 55-25 lead on a three-point goal by Hickenbottom at the 13:53 mark of the second half. The lead grew to 71-36 on a three-pointer by Kudera at the 7:30 mark. The Coyotes went ahead 83-39 when Hickenbottom hit a jumper with 3:37 to play. The Coyotes had a 92-42 lead before Prentis Sizer of the Saints hit a field goal with 24 seconds left in the game.

Overall, the Coyotes were 32 of 69 from the field for 46.4 percent. They also hit 10 of 14 free throws for 71.4 percent. Freshman Steve Anderson had nine points and five rebounds while Marshall, Nate Tibbetts and Jason Barrow added eight points each. Tibbetts had five assists. Travis James had a career high 11 assists and seven rebounds in his 24 minutes of action. South Dakota won the rebound battle, 41-36.

Presentation hit 12 of 47 field goals for 25.5 percent, including six of 19 three-point baskets for 31.6 percent. They were 14 of 19 from the free throw line for 73.7 percent. The Saints received eight points from both Sizer and Mitchell. Mike Beavers led the Saints with six rebounds.