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The South Dakota women’s basketball team will play in the Women’s Basketball Invitational (WBI) Tournament and will get a rematch with Utah State on Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum in Logan, Utah.
It’s the third-straight postseason tournament appearance for the Coyotes (17-15, 10-6). South Dakota advanced to the second round of the WNIT last season, topping Drake 61-53 before losing to Colorado 64-55. USD also made it to the second round of the WBI in 2011 by beating Idaho 62-47 before losing at Cal State-Bakersfield 90-64.
South Dakota, the runner-up in the Summit League Tournament last week, will be the sixth-seed in the West Region of the 16-team tournament. The winner on Thursday night will play the winner of Wednesday night’s Lamar-Presbyterian game played in Beaumont, Texas.
USD will attempt to get even with the Aggies (18-13, 14-4) after losing to USU 70-69 on Dec. 20. The Aggies outscored the Coyotes 19-4 over the last 5 minutes, 27 seconds and netted a 3-pointer from Devyn Christensen with 10 seconds left to take the win.
The Coyotes outrebounded the Aggies 63-26 while setting a new offensive rebound record with 32 in the loss. Tempestt Wilson led USD in scoring with 18 points, while Margaret McCloud recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Utah State placed second in the WAC standings, but was knocked out of the conference tournament in the semifinals by eventual champion Idaho 84-82.
The WBI Tournament provides an alternative for teams that do not make the NCAA Tournament. The tournament champion will be decided by March 31.
Courtesy: Jarrod Tell, USD
