VERMILLION, S.D. -- Nebraska-Omaha managed only 25 first-half points against South Dakota, eventually falling in the North Central Conference contest, 86-67, Saturday night at the DakotaDome.
The Coyotes scored the first eight points of the night, extending the run to 23-5 to open the game. They would lead by as much as 24 in the first half, prevented the Mavericks from ever getting into the game. South Dakota shot 55.9 percent from the floor in the first half, while UNO shot a mere 38.5 percent.
The win advances South Dakota to 16-5 on the year, 5-1 in NCC play. The Mavs fall to 11-10, 2-5.
Michael Jenkins led UNO with 20 points -- his third 20-point game this year and 13th in a row in double-figures.
Denny Johnston was the only other Maverick to score double-digits, with 15.
Jerry Bennett scored nine, grabbing a team-leading 10 rebounds.
UNO's shooting improved greatly in the second half, hitting 12-of-25 shots for 48 percent, including 5-of-11 from 3-point range. The Mavericks outscored the Coyotes, 42-41 after halftime, but the deficit was far too great to overcome.
Eric Hall led five Coyotes players in double-figures with 20 points, adding four rebounds.
Mavericks senior
Zac Robinson was held to just five points on the night, hitting one 3-pointer. He stands one away from tying Mike Simons' record for career threes and nine points away from 1,000 for his career.
He will try to achieve both milestone when the Mavericks return to action next week. They host St. Cloud State Thursday, then Minnesota State on Saturday.
