Coyotes claim Summit League title

BROOKINGS, S.D. — No. 20/15 South Dakota women’s basketball captured the Summit League regular season championship outright with Saturday’s 77-67 victory over South Dakota State in front of 3,672 fans in Frost Arena.

Four Coyotes scored in double-figures on Saturday, including the Coyotes’ two in-state standouts. Junior guard Chloe Lamb, a native of Onida, South Dakota, led the way with 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting. She drained four 3-pointers in the game. Senior guard Ciara Duffy of Rapid City, South Dakota, added 17 points with eight assists and four rebounds.

Tagyn Larson led the Jacks and was just shy of a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds while dishing four assists. Tori Nelson had 12 points, four rebounds and three assists. Paiton Burckhard added 11 points and pulled down five boards. Rylie Cascio Jensen had nine points and four assists, while Tylee Irwin had a team-best five assists.

The Jacks shot 48.1 percent from the field and outrebounded the Coyotes 29-22, including 12 offensive boards. SDSU outscored USD in the paint 36-24.

The Jackrabbits fell to 20-9 overall and 12-3 in Summit League play, while South Dakota improved to 26-2 overall and 15-0 in league play clinching the Summit League regular season title.

South Dakota wraps up the regular season by hosting North Dakota at 1 p.m. next Saturday inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center. USD will recognize its four seniors – Ciara Duffy, Madison McKeever, Taylor Frederick and Megan Bonar – prior to the game.

South Dakota State concludes the regular season on the road against North Dakota State Thursday. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m.

(SDSU and USD Sports Information)