VERMILLION, S.D. -- If historians look back at the long history of the North Central Conference, this afternoon's NCC Final - the final basketball game in conference history - between the University of North Dakota and the University of South Dakota would reflect the true nature of the league: a great game between two of the top teams in the nation.
After a slow and building start, the game ended in a firey finish that saw the Fighting Sioux fall 72-69 at the DakotaDome.
Trailing by as many as ten points in the second half, the Fighting Sioux took its first lead of the game at the 4:57 mark. Senior Karla Beck drove the baseline and scored the lay-up, putting the Sioux up 57-56.
That lead also proved to be UND's only one of the game. On USD's next four possessions, the Coyotes drained four straight 3-pointers to regain the momentum. The Sioux remained close, however.
After Beck's lay-up, USD's Ashley Robinette drained back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Coyotes a 62-57 lead. After a timeout, junior Kierah Kimbrough hit a jumper from the top of the key to pull the Sioux within three.
The teams traded baskets over the next minute. USD's Shannon Daly hit a three. UND's Ashley Langen answered with two of her 15 second half points. Langen ended with 17 points and 13 rebounds, one shy of Jenny Crouse's record for rebounds in a season (324).
Jenna Hoffman nailed a 3-pointer at the 3:16 mark, but again, the Fighting Sioux continued to keep pace. Junior Danye Guinn answered with a 3-pointer to pull UND within 68-64 at the 2:59 mark.
The Fighting Sioux continued to battle and pulled within 70-69 at the 1:07 mark, but that would be as close as they would get. Bridget Yoerger knocked down two free throws with nine seconds remaining, and Guinn's 3-point attempt with two seconds left was off the mark.
It was the first time in eight years that UND has lost in the NCC playoff tournament, and the first time it has not won the title since its inception in the 2001-02 season.
South Dakota led the Fighting Sioux 35-23 at the half, as UND went 6-of-22 from the field.
UND was led by Kierah Kimbrough's 19 points. Danye Guinn ended with 15 points.
South Dakota had four players end in double digits. Jeana Hoffman, who was named the tournament MVP, ended with a game-high 20 points. Yoerger scored 15, Robinette ended with 14 and Daly had 12.
NOTES: Kimbrough played in her 100th career game ... UND's Karla Beck and Kierah Kimbrough were named to the NCC All-Tournament team with Minnesota State, Mankato's Heather Johnson, and South Dakota's Bridget Yoerger and Ashley Robinette. Jeana Hoffman was named MVP.
