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

March 2, 2001

VERMILLION, S.D. - No. 10 South Dakota hit 17 of 26 second half shots for 65.4 to break open a close game and defeat Minnesota State-Mankato, 71-45 in a semifinal round game of the Wells Fargo North Central Conference Tournament at the DakotaDome before 4,124 in attendance. South Dakota (22-5) advanced to the championship game vs. St. Cloud (23-5), a 74-72 victor over South Dakota State in the first semifinal game on Friday night. The winner of the Wells Fargo/NCC Postseason Tourney wins an automatic berth in the NCAA Division II North Central Regionals.

Leading the way for South Dakota was junior forward Eric Hickenbottom, who tied a season high with 13 points while also grabbing eight rebounds, blocking a shot and dealing out an assist. Also shining for the Coyotes was Nate Tibbetts, who had eight points, eight rebounds and 11 assists in a solid floor game. He was one of five Coyotes to record eight points. Junior guard Paul Marshall, junior forward Jimmie Foster, senior center Jason Barrow and freshman guard Richard Ross all had eight points in the Coyotes' most balanced scoring game of the season. Coyotes' senior forward Jeremy Kudera had nine points and nine rebounds.

South Dakota won their 13th game in 14 tries this season at the DakotaDome. South Dakota now has won two of three games this season against Minnesota State-Mankato. (winning 80-57 at the DakotaDome on Dec. 9 and falling 62-56 in Mankato last Saturday).

The Coyotes hit 26 of 49 shots for 53.1 percent for the game, including eight of 21 three-point field goals and 11 of 16 from the foul line. Meanwhile the Mavericks just had a tough time from the field, hitting just 30.4 percent on 17 of 56 shooting. They were just four of 19 from three-point range and seven of 12 from the foul line.

On this night, the name of the game was defense as neither the Coyotes nor the Mavericks had very much success shooting in the opening half. South Dakota hit just 39.1 percent on nine of 23 shooting, including just five of 13 three-point field goals for 38.5 percent. Meanwhile, Minnesota State hit six of 24 shots for 25 percent including just two of 10 from the three-point line. Scott Hansen led South Dakota with five points while Nate Tibbetts had four points, four rebounds and five assists. Meanwhile the Mavericks received six points from Josh Ziemke who also had five rebounds. Both teams grabbed 17 rebounds in the opening 20 minutes. The Coyotes opened up a 12-7 lead at the 11:19 mark of the first half after senior forward Jeremy Kudera hit a three-pointer. South Dakota's biggest lead (24-14) came at the 2:55 mark following a three-pointer by junior guard Paul Marshall. A pair of foul shots by Kyle Staloch and one by Ziemke cut the margin to 24-17 at the break.

Things changed for the Coyotes in the second 20-minutes as they opened up a huge lead and cruised to the win. South Dakota opened the second half by outscoring the Mavericks, 16-2, in grabbing a 40-19 lead with 15:54 left on the clock. A lay-up by Foster gave the Coyotes a 44-24 lead with 11 minutes to play and South Dakota led 50-30 at the 7:42 mark after Tibbetts hit two foul shots. South Dakota increased the margin to 62-37 when Ross hit a three-pointer with 3:32 to play.