Summit League Women’s Tournament: South Dakota Beats IUPUI, Will Play South Dakota State in Championship

Two Summit League Tournament games, two big second halves for South Dakota sophomore Nicole Seekamp, as the Aussie shot the Coyotes into the Summit League Championship, 82-72 over IUPUI, Monday at the Sioux Falls Arena.

Seekamp was 8-of-9 for 23 of her game-high 27 points in the second half, keying a big 16-4 run in the second half, one day after going 3-of-5 for nine points in the second 20 minutes against North Dakota State Sunday, as the Coyotes turned a two-point halftime lead into a 20-point blowout.

South Dakota found themselves down 10 early, thanks to poor shooting and strong IUOUI defense.  USD hit just 1-of-4 to start the game, while turning the ball over four times on three Jaguar steals.

All-Summit League player Kerah Nelson broke out of a big slump against USD.  During the regular season, Nelson was just 2-of-14 for five points against the Coytotes, but in the first half Monday, Nelson found her touch with 5-of-8 shooting for 16 points.  She finished 12-of-21 for 32 points.

What the Coyotes weren't doing from the floor, they were getting from the free throw line in the first half.  USD outscored IUPUI by seven from the stripe in the first 20 minutes to keep it close.  The Jaguars led 31-28 at the break.

USD shot 77 percent in the second half to advance to championship game against South Dakota State.  The Jacks won the season series with 72-60 and 63-55 victories, and have won 31 of the last 34 with the Coyotes.

Tempestt Wilson finished with 14 points, Polly Harrington had11, Lisa Loeffler had all 10 of her points in the second half.

Tipoff Tuesday is 2:30pm.