South Dakota scored 57 second-half points to win its 10th game in a row, defeating Nebraska-Omaha in North Central Conference play, 93-78, Thursday night at Sapp Fieldhouse.
The Coyotes improve to 14-4 on the year and remain undefeated in conference play at 3-0. The Mavericks fall to 10-7 on the year, 1-2 in the NCC.
South Dakota started the game on a 19-7 run, including the first seven points of the game. But the Coyotes' shooting cooled down, allowing the Mavericks to start a run of their own, scoring 17 of the next 20 points. UNO took a two-point lead, 24-22, on a 3-point basket by
Denny Johnston with 7:50 to play. The Coyotes regained the edge in the final minutes, holding a 36-32 lead at the break.
Baskets by Justin Peterson and
Jerry Bennett to open the second half tied the game, then a 3-pointer by
Michael Jenkins capped off a 7-0 run, putting the Mavs up, 39-36. At the 13:34 mark the teams stood knotted at 49-49, the fifth tie score of the game. The Coyotes took the lead at that point, holding onto it for the next five minutes, but not more than four points.
Zac Robinson converted three straight free throws after being fouled on a long-range shot, making the score 64-63 with 8:11 to play. But from there, USD found its shooting touch, going on a 15-4 run, highlighted by 3-pointers from Eric Hall, Dylan Grimsley and Mitch Begeman.
The Coyotes shot 57.7 percent in the second half, including 50 percent on 3-pointers, after hitting only 30.8 percent overall in the first half.
Robinson led UNO with 19 points, hitting four 3-pointers.
Keith Price added 15, with Jenkins scoring 12 and Johnston adding 10. Bennett led in rebounding with seven.
Grimsley led all scorers with 24 points. Hall finished with 21 Dustin Little added 17 and a team-high nine rebounds.
The Mavericks next play at North Dakota Saturday at 4 p.m.
