South Dakota used an 18-6 run at the end of the second quarter to eclipse Illinois for an 85-76 win inside State Farm Center Tuesday night.
South Dakota (9-4) has won nine of its last 10 games. It was Illinois (7-3) first loss inside the State Farm Center this season. South Dakota’s win is the fourth against a Big Ten member school in program history.
Senior guard Nicole Seekamp scored a game-high 21 points, handed out six assists, grabbed five boards, and had three steals. Senior guard Tia Hemiller tallied 20 more points and grabbed seven rebounds. Hemiller has reached double figures in scoring for 10 straight games.
Freshman guard Jaycee Bradley had 17 of South Dakota’s 38 first-half points for a new career high. Bradley shot 5-of-8 from the field and 5-of-7 outside the perimeter. Bradley had 11 points in the final 4:42 of the second quarter to lead the Coyotes on an 18-6 run at the end of the half.
South Dakota senior center Margaret McCloud was the fourth Coyote in double figures, contributing 11 points.
