South Dakota Women Routed at IUPUI in Summit League Play

Even though it's early in the Summit League season, the IUPUI women's basketball team had a score to settle with South Dakota, after the Coyotes handed the Jags two of their four conference losses last season, and then, for good measure, eliminated IUPUI from the Summit League Tournament with a semifinal win.

Thursday night in Indianapolis, the Jags got their revenge, beating the Coyotes 80-59.

Both teams shot the ball very well in the first five minutes - 62% - as Lisa Loeffler scored 7 early points for USD, DeAirra Goss 6 for IUPUI and the Coyotes were up 12-11.

But South Dakota went cold soon after, shooting just 21% over the next 13 minutes, while the Jags went on a 16-5 run to open up a ten point lead.

Goss finished the first half 8-of-12 for 17 points.  Polly Harrington helped keep USD in the game with 11 first half points.  41-31 IUPUI at intermission.

The Coyotes stayed within striking distance for the first 4:30 of the second half, but when the Akilah ran off seven straight points, it keyed a 15-3 IUPUI run over the next five minutes and the lead was 21.

The Jags shot 51% and were led by Goss with 27 points. Sims added 15.

USD shot 43% and had just one player in double figures, Harrington with 18 points.  Leading scorer Nicole Seekamp, in just her second game back after missing two with an ankle injury, was 0-for-3 and did not score in 22 minutes.  Raeshel Contreras, who had led the Coyotes in five of the last seven games, was 1-for-9 for 6 points.

USD did welcome back Kelly Stewart, who was playing in her first game since 2012, after missing last season with an injury.  Stewart logged 13 minutes and scored 7 points.

The Coyotes (9-8/0-2) play at Fort Wayne Saturday at 1:00pm.