Quick Recap of the Northern Kentucky-Alaska Anchorage Game

Yeah, I know this might be a bit out of date since we all know who the Coyotes will face, but I will quick recap the game about how Northern Kentucky beat Alaska.

Northern Kentucky jumped out to a 3-0 in the game. Alaska was able to take a 6-5 lead with 17 minutes left and was able to hold that lead for the next two minutes, but Northern Kentucky took a 7-6 lead and held for the rest of the half. The lead was never a big one, but Northern Kentucky held it and went into the half with a 26-21 lead.

Alaska came out after the half playing some tough defense and they were able to tie the game up at 26. Alaska held Northern Kentucky without a point until the 13:40 mark in the half. Alaska was unable to gain the lead when Northern Kentucky retook the lead 28-26 at that time. Alaska tied it up at 28 with a couple of free throws, but Northern Kentucky hit a quick shot to make it 30-28.

One last time Alaska was able to tie the game at 36 with 10:21 to go, but were unable to take the lead as Northern Kentucky hit a shot a minutes later to hold onto the lead for good  at 38-36.

The game remained close and it was 57-54 with 20 seconds to go when Northern Kentucky’s Nicole Chiodi missed her second free throw which would have basically iced the game. Alaska’s Rebecca Kielpinski grabbed the rebound. Alaska got the ball to half court and called a timeout to set up the game tying shot. The three point shot was taken by Maria Nilsson who missed the shot and Northern Kentucky went onto win.

The key to the victory was Northern Kentucky’s defense. They were able to hold Alaska to a 29% shooting percentage on the day. Kielpinski, Alaska’s star, was held to a 2-13 shooting. Northern Kentucky didn’t have the same problem as Alaska as they shot 44.7% in the game, 57.1% in the second half.

Northern Kentucky was the 4th seed in the Great Lakes Region and has been able to earn a trip to the national championship game against the Coyotes on Saturday at five.

———Justin Rust

Friday’s press conference for the USD vs Northern Kentucky game

By Justin Wolfgang

 Here are some photos from Friday’s press conference for Saturday’s national championship game between USD and Northern Kentucky.

Senior Jeana Hoffman is all smiles after answering a question about making it to the national championship game her senior year. 

Senior Ashley Robinette talks about how influential Coach Chad Lavin is for the USD players.

USD Coach Chad Lavin talks about his final season and final game before retiring.

Ashley Robinette and Jeana Hoffman laugh while talking about Coach Chad Lavin’s influence as a coach.

Northern Kentucky Coach Nancy Winstel talks about how her team has always faced NCC teams in their three trips to the national championship game.

NKU player Angela Healy talks about their team’s game against Alaska-Anchorage on Thursday.

 

 NKU player Jesse Slack talks about why she transferred back home to play for Northern Kentucky. 

THE ODD COUPLE

Here are some photos of USD Coach Chad Lavin and NKU Coach Nancy Winstel being cordial.

 

The press conference after USD vs Delta State game

USD basketball coach Chad Lavin.  

Senior Shannon Daly. 

Senior Jeana Hoffman. 

Second half photos from USD vs Delta State

By Justin Wolfgang

 Here are my photos from the second half of the game – including celebratory photos from the Coyotes’ win.

Jasmine Mosley attempts to drive around a Delta State defender. 

Amber Hegge looks for an open pass. 

Charlie Coyote leads the crowd in a cheer. 

Usually reserved USD President James Abbott joins in the celebration of the Coyote win.

 

Shannon Daly, Jasmine Mosley and Ashley Robinette give each other hugs after they came out of the game with 24 seconds remaining.

 

Bridgett Yoerger holds hands with her teammates as she watches a teammate shoot a free throw. 

Amy Robinette watches a teammate shoot a free throw.

  

Ashley Robinette yells to her teammates and the crowd as she shows her excitement when the Coyotes took a large lead near the end of the game. 

Jenna Hoffman drives to the basket in the second half.  

Congratulations Coyotes!

What a way for the USD women’s basketball team to finish their stay in Division II. What a way for the USD women’s basketball team to send out head coach Chad Lavin. With most championship teams, there is a hint of destiny in the air. No disrepect to Northen Kentucky, USD’s title game opponent, but it just feels like all the chips are in place for the Coyote women to ride off into the sunset, or in this case, Division I. Okay, no more mixed metaphor attempts from me.

I fully expect Northern Kentucky to put up a strong fight. After all, they must think they have a Cinderella-like destiny as well. They came into the tournament as the number four seed in their region. They’ve stormed through the opposition and are now at Championship Saturday.

However, with Amber Hegge stepping up as big as she has to this point and the rest of the Coyotes doing what they do best, Saturday could be a special day for USD.

For those not in Kearney, be sure to tune in Saturday night at 5 p.m. on ESPN2 and see if the Coyotes can claim the National Championship.

- Ryan Moore

Down goes Delta State

She’s a freshman.

Amber Hegge drove through the lane and was fouled with 1:08 remaining. She hit both free throws and gave USD a 63-58 lead.

After a DSU miss, Brittani Calhoun fouled out fighting for a lose ball against Jeana Hoffman. Hoffman went to the line and hit both shots to put the Yotes up 65-58. That pretty much put the game away. After a few more free throws, the Coyotes put in their reserves and dribbled the game away.

With the 68-58 win, USD hands Delta State their only loss of the season and advances to play for the Division II Nation Championship on Saturday at 5 p.m. on Saturday against Northern Kentucky.

Get your popcorn ready.

– Matt Dahlseid

Here we go again

After a nail-biting finish in last nights game, it looks like USD will be in the same situation again tonight.

With 1:38 left in the second half, the Coyotes have a 61-58 lead over DSU.

Delta State has been imposing its will down in the low post for the last several minutes and has really been using its size to its advantage. Brittani Calhoun has made two layups in the low block and gave DSU a 56-55 lead. She has four fouls in the game right now and needs to be careful if she wants to stay in this game.

Amber Hegge has been a key contributer for the Coyotes late in the game. The freshman has made a deep two with a foot on the line and a layup to give USD the 61-58 lead.

 – Matt Dahlseid

Coyotes with slim lead

After a three minute scoring drought for both teams, Jessica Boyd hit a 3-pointer for DSU to cut the USD lead to 47-43.

Shannon Daly answered with a three for USD, but the Lady Statesmen have gone on an 8-0 run to pull to within a point.

In such a close game, the crowd has managed to stay loose (well, at least the student section). During a TV timeout, Charlie Coyote and the NCAA mascot J.J. Jumper had a dance off in front of the USD student section. After some smooth moves from each furry creature, the Coyote Crazies announced Charlie Coyote the victor, chanting ‘you got served’ to J.J. Jumper.

With 7:00 left in the half, USD has a 52-51 lead.

 – Matt Dahlseid

Coyotes take early lead in second frame

After a jumper by DSU’s Jennifer Rushing put the Lady Statesmen up 40-39, the Coyotes answered with eight straight points.

Jeana Hoffman nailed a short jumper in the lane to regain the USD lead. After a defensive stop, Ashley Robinette drained a deep three from the top of the key. On the next USD offensive possesion, Jeana Hoffman rolled off of an off-ball screen and hit another three for the Coyotes.

Hoffman has 13 points in the game.

USD now leads 47-40 with 15:00 remaining.

– Matt Dahlseid

USD up by one at half

For the first time all year the Lady Statesmen are down at the half.

Jeana Hoffman hit her second three of the game as time expired to give the Coyotes a 39-38 lead at halftime and the crowd erupted.

There have been 11 lead changes in the game and seven ties in this battle of the titans.

Each team is getting solid contributions from its bench. Amber Hegge and Jasmine Mosley both have six points off the bench, while Lamaesha McAdory leads the Lady Statesmen’s reserves with 7 points.

After a slow start, the starters are also heating up. DSU’s Jessica Boyd leads the Lady Statesmen with 9 points, while Jeana Hoffman has found her stroke and now leads the Coyotes with 8 points.

USD and DSU are both perfect from the line, with the Coyotes going 8-8 and the Lady Statesmen shooting 4-4.

The Coyotes are 13-24 from the field for 54 percent (5-12 from three point range). DSU shot 15-35 from the field for 42.9 percent (4-6 from three).

The Lady Statesmen nearly doubled USD’s rebounding output, grabbing 20 boards to the Coyotes’ 11.

– Matt Dahlseid