South Dakota WBB Team On Postseason Roll; Prepares for McNeese State in WBI Semis at Dome

The South Dakota Women's Basketball Team (19-15) is dancing to a winning tune.

No, the Coyotes aren't at the Big Dance (NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament) but the group of 10 is finding the WBI dance pretty inviting. On Thursday, the South Dakota women's team, led by first-year head coach Amy Williams, will host McNeese State (20-14, 11-7, tied for 4th, Southland Conference) in the semifinals of the WBI Tourney at the DakotaDome. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams and the first time the DakotaDome has played host to a DI postseason tournament semifinal game. In an effort to bring out the fan support, the USD marketing department is promoting a "White Out" at the Dome.

Coyotes Play in 3rd Straight DI Postseaosn Tourney

When they lost a heart-breaking 56-53 decision to rival SDSU (regular season and league champion) in the Summit League Championship, the Coyotes' season could have ended in a 17-15 year. But, USD's strong finish in the league and regular season earned a bid to the WBI, marking the third straight year that the Coyotes have played in a DI postseason tournament (WNIT, 2011-12; WBI, 2010-11, 2-2 overall record). 

In the WBI, a 16-team tournament split into two regions, West Region #6 seed USD has won two straight road games, rallying for a 77-69 win over #3 Utah State on March 21, before defeating #2 seed Lamar University, 71-48, on March 24. The Coyotes ended Lamar University's 39-home game non-conference winning streak. Now they get #8 seed McNeese State, which has wins over WBI #1 seed Mercer, 82-70, and #4 seed Elon, 66-58. The winner of USD/McNeese State travels to face the East Region winner between #1 seed Detroit (19-13)/#2 Penn (18-12). Penn is the first Ivy League school invited to the WBI. Detroit defeated #8 Belmont, 71-68; and #5 College of Charleston, 79-67. Penn upended #7 Howard, 65-60; and #3 Fairfield, 49-48.

Eighth-seeded McNeese State, led by sixth-year head coach Brooks Donald Williams (102-88), is making its third straight postseason appearance, which included NCAA appearances in 2010-11 and 2011-12 as Southland Conference champs. The Cowgirls, which have won 20 games or more three straight seasons, are led by twin sisters Ashlyn (18.8 ppg, 100 3's, 2,003 career points, 300 career 3's)  and Caitlyn Baggett (15.4 ppg, 4.6 apg) and post standout Cecilia Okoye (9.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg). Of note, the Baggetts' father (Stan), grandfather (Richard), great uncle (Charles) and uncle (Ray) all were athletes at McNeese State.  

McNeese State, which averages 68.4 ppg and allows 62.2 ppg, defeated league/tourney champion and former Summit League member Oral Roberts twice in the regular season before losing to the Golden Eagles in the Southland Conference Tournament final, 79-66. They also split the season series with Lamar, winning on the road, 65-46, and losing at home, 57-53.

Coyotes On Hot Streak

At one point this season, it would have been crazy to think the offensive-challenged Coyotes would make a deep run in the postseason, even if it is a secondary DI tournament. But here they are. 

Since consecutive road losses to Oakland (59-46) and Fort Wayne (71-64), South Dakota has won 7-of-8 games with their only loss the Summit League tournament championship heart-breaker. As for season numbers, the Coyotes average 63.8 ppg to 57.2 ppg for opponents. They hit 40.9 percent from the field, including 29.7 from 3-point range (161 3's) and 70.7% from the foul line. Opponents are averaging just 35.8% from the field and 27.8% from 3-point range.

South Dakota 4-1 in Postseason With 11.6 Victory Margin 

In winning 4-of-5 postseason games, South Dakota has outscored opponents, 356-to-298 or 71.2 to 59.6 or an 11.6 victory margin. The Coyotes, which has a 151-to-144 first-half edge, own the second half with a 205-to-154 advantage. They are not only stopping teams but doing it on the offensive end. They have hit 46.1% from the field on 129-of-280 shooting. In addition, they are making 39.5% (30-of-76) from 3-point range while cashing in 73.9% (68.92) from the foul line. During this run, they have made six three-pointers a game and 13.6 free throws each contest. Beyond that they own a 42.6-to-35.2 rebound margin or a 7.4 margin. The offensive flow has been sharp indicated by 18.2 assists per game. While USD has a -2.6 turnover margin (71-to-59), USD has 6.2 steals and 2.6 blocks per game. As noted, the defense has been solid, limiting opponents to 34.0% (109-of-321) from the field. USD foes have made just 27.5% (28-102) from three-point range while hitting 73.2% (52-71) from the foul line. South Dakota has 16 more made free throws (68-to-52) than their opponents and 20 more field goals (129-to-109).

Nicole Seekamp

Sophomore Nicole Seekamp (Renmark, Australia) was named the first Summit League MVP in school history and the first league player since 2004 to be honored with the honor. Seekamp not only excelled in the Summit Tourney but has risen her level of play in the entire postseason run. In the five games, she is averaging 21.6 ppg (108 points) with 5.4 rebounds, 16 assists and 13 steals. Seekamp, who has pushed her season averages to 14.7 ppg and 4.0 rpg, is hitting a sizzling 60.9% (39-of-64) from the field, including 55.0% (11-of-20) from 3-point range and 95.0% (19-of-20) from the foul stripe. She has a team-high 44 3's (134 att., 32.8%).

With 13 points in the win over Lamar, Seekamp reached 500 points on the season, becoming the 8th Coyote in school history to reach that total in a season. Ten times USD has had a player score 500 points with all-time great Mandy Koupal doing it three times (806, 2003-04; 740, 2002-03; 596, 2001-02). Prior to Seekamp, the last player to score 500 points in a season was another all-time great Amber Hegge in 2011-12 (596, tied for 4th, all-time).

Senior Tempestt Wilson (Elk River, Minn.)  is fighting to extend her Coyote playing career. Wilson (12.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg), is averaging 13.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in the postseason. She has pushed her career total in made 3's to 130 for 11th all-time at USD (Krista Orsack, 2000-02, 133, 10th). This season she has made 40-of-125 3's (32.1%). 

While senior guard Alexis Yackley (Onida, S.D.) has scored just 12 points in the postseason, she has done everything else. She had nine assists vs. Lamar and now has 36 assists or 7.2 per game in the postseason. In addition, Yackley, who moved into 4th place on USD's career assist chart with 442, has grabbed 32 rebounds for 6.4 per game.  

Junior center Polly Harrington (Kansas City, Mo.) is also showing up big-time with 11.2 ppg and 5.6 rpg in the postseason. She led the way with 15 points in the Lamar win.  Other contributors and their postseason marks include 6-2 freshman Margaret McCloud (Rapid City, S.D.), at 6.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg; senior Sam Mehr (Apple Valley, Minn.), with 6.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg and 9-of-23 from 3; and 6-1 sophomore Lisa Loeffler (Lakewood, Minn.) with 6.2 ppg and a team-high 7.0 rpg. USD's bench is playing a huge role, chipping in 16.8 ppg and 11.4 rpg.

A USD Victory vs. McNeese State Means...

~Amy Williams will become South Dakota's first-ever, first-year coach to reach 20 wins in a season. 

~ USD would record a third straight 20-win campaigns for the first time ever. A victory would boost the season mark to 20-15, following the 20-12 mark in 2010-11 (Ryun Williams) and 23-8 in record in 2011-12 (Ryun Williams).  

~ The Coyotes would reach 20-wins for the 10th time in school history. The nine previous 20-win seasons include 22-7 (Chad Lavin), 1983-84; 23-6 (Lavin), 1984-85; 22-7 (Fred Tibbetts), 1988-89; 27-5 (Lavin), 2002-03; 25-7 (Lavin), 2003-04; 22-9 (Lavin), 2006-07; 33-2 (Lavin), 2007-08; 20-12 (Ryun Williams) , 2010-11; 23-8, 2011-12 (R Williams).