OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha women's basketball program dropped a 71-39 decision to No. 21/18 South Dakota Wednesday evening inside Baxter Arena.
Mariah Murdie led the way with 20 points with six rebounds and a pair of threes made. Murdie's performance marks her second 20-point effort this season and the third of her career.
Rayanna Carter followed with six points.
Josie Filer recorded two blocks and a team-best eight rebounds.
For South Dakota, Taylor Frederick led her team with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting and five rebounds. She also went a perfect 4-for-4 from the line. Ciara Duffy followed with 14 points, while Hannah Sjerven notched 10 points and eight rebounds.
TEAM STATS
For the first time since 2014, South Dakota did not make a three, as the team went 0-16 from beyond the arc. South Dakota shot 27-for-63 from the field (42.9%) and 17-21 at the line (81%). Omaha shot 2-of-18 from three and 7-for-10 at the free throw line. From the field, Omaha shot 15-for-52 (28.8%). USD had 22 points off 25 Omaha turnovers. The Mavericks won the rebounding battle 38-37.
INSIDE THE FIRST HALF
Omaha got on the board first with a Murdie three, but the Coyotes quickly answered with a 6-0 spurt. The Coyotes held the Mavericks scoreless for the final 2:53 of the first quarter and led 17-11. The Mavericks were outscored 17-8 in the second frame. At the 5:25 mark in the second, a pair of USD free throws brought the Omaha deficit to 28-13 on an 11-2 run. At the half, South Dakota extended its lead to 34-19.
INSIDE THE SECOND HALF
The USD run continued into the third quarter when the team outscored Omaha 17-9 in the frame. Omaha's deficit went to 20 (47-27) with 2:21 to go in the frame. After three quarters of play, USD led 51-28. The final quarter consisted of 20 South Dakota points to the Mavericks' 11 for the 32-point loss.
UP NEXT
Omaha takes on North Dakota State next Thursday, Feb. 6, at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcasted live on MidcoSN, ESPN+ and available on Yurview Cox Ch. 13. Fans can also follow the action on 1180 Zone 2.
