South Dakota blew open a close game with an impressive second half run to win its first ever game in the Summit League Tournament, 73-53 over North Dakota State at the Sioux Falls Arena, Sunday afternoon.

The Coyotes grabbed the first five points of the game, and were up 10-5 after 5:00 when Sam Mehr drained a three -pointer.

That's when Katie Birkel started to heat things up, with a pair of three-pointers, as part of an 8-0 run, as the Bison grabbed a three point lead.  Birkel had 11 of North Dakota State's first 15 points.

NDSU also rebounded the ball well in the first half, with nine offensive rebounds, and 12 second chance points to push the lead to 26-21 with four minutes to play.

From there it was all USD in the first half, as Tempestt Wilson hit a three-pointer, followed by a Lisa Loeffler jumper, and a Margaret McCloud layup, as the Coyotes ran off seven straight to grab a 28-26 halftime lead.

Out of the locker room, it was more Birkel, with five of NDSU's eight straight to start the half, and the Bison had the lead again at 34-28.

But a key possession at the 14:00 mark for South Dakota changed the game.  After Tempestt Wilson had made a free throw, she missed the second, only to have Margaret McCloud tip the ball back to Wilson, who fed it to Nicole Seekamp for a three-pointer and the Coyotes were off to an 20-2 run and and a 13-point lead.

Seekamp finished with 15 points, the 22nd time this season she's scored in double figures, Wilson added 15, Sam Mehr had 11 of her 14 points in the second half, and Margaret McCloud chipped in 10, as the Coyote reserves outscored NDSU 30-2.

South Dakota advances to the semifinals to play a team they've already beaten twice this season, second seed IUPUI.  Tipoff Monday is 2:30pm at Sioux Falls Arena.

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