Well, the game is tied at 31 here in Sioux Falls between USD and Augie. USD started hot and has went cold from the field. Augie has been the opposite. The Augie defense has been solid in the perimeter and the three pointer and mid-range jumper has been hard to come by for the Coyotes in the last eight minutes. Augie has also taken away the dribble-drive penetration which was working so well for the Coyotes early in the game. USD is shooting 12 of 33 (36.4%) from the field and 6-16 (37.5%) from three. Most of those made shots came early on. For the Coyotes to win this game they are going to have to get their running game going and get to the hoop, which isn’t happening right now. The Coyotes have only made it to the free-throw line twice in this game. Jenna Hoffman leads Coyotes with 11 points and also has the most rebounds on the team with 5. Jeana Hoffman, who is averaging 18.5 points per game, has been held in check to only five points on 2 of 8 shooting.
On defense, the Coyotes are allowed some open looks from three for Augie but Augie has not been able to convert and are only 2-11 (18.2%) from three. Overall, Augie is shooting 10 of 26 (38.5%) from the field. Forward Ashley Holiday leads Augie in scoring with 8 points and 6 rebounds and has really started to establish herself late in the first half. The Coyotes are going to have to play better defense and collapse better in the paint or else Holiday will only get better as the afternoon goes on. Neither team has been able to get a consistent pace as the Coyotes were on a 16-3 run in the first half and then Augie went on a 12-3. Look for both teams to try and establish their game, the Coyotes will try and press the run and Augie will try and slow it down to get their inside game working, as the game goes on.
—Justin Rust
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