South Dakota defeats Mount Marty 85-61

Mount Marty 61, South Dakota 85: A Dominant Statement Win for the Coyotes

In a stark contrast to the anticipated matchup between two similarly ranked teams, the University of South Dakota proved its superiority over Mount Marty at home, cruising to an 85-61 victory in non-conference action.

The game served as a statement win for the Coyotes, who have been steadily building momentum throughout the season. By dominating their visiting foes, South Dakota further solidified its position among the top teams in the conference.

Despite being slight underdogs at home, Mount Marty put up a respectable fight initially, trailing by just 10 points at halftime (43-33). However, as the game progressed, South Dakota's superior depth and cohesion took over, as they outscored Mount Marty 42-28 in the second half to extend their lead.

Isaac Bruns led the charge for the Coyotes with a stellar performance of 23 points, coupled with three makes from beyond the arc. He also hauled down nine rebounds and provided crucial support off the bench. Cameron Fens chipped in with 12 rebounds and 12 points, while Uzziah Buntyn dished out seven assists to complement his ten points.

On the other hand, Dysen Peterson led Mount Marty with a solid 17-point outing, but even his best efforts were insufficient against South Dakota's stifling defense. The Mount Marty forward grabbed seven rebounds and managed one assist in what ultimately proved to be an unyielding task against the Coyotes' superior team effort.

The advanced statistics painted a clear picture of the disparity between these two teams. South Dakota boasted an impressive true shooting percentage (63.6%) compared to Mount Marty's 49.8%, further underscoring their advantage on offense and defense. Similarly, the Coyotes led in eFG% (59.5%) while holding an edge in points off turnovers (12).

In a game that served as a testament to South Dakota's resilience and determination, they showcased no signs of weakness despite facing stiff competition from Mount Marty. As the season progresses and more matchups become available, this convincing victory is certain to remain a talking point among college basketball enthusiasts.

Game Statistics:

- South Dakota (HOME): 30/58 FG, 21/34 2PT, 9/24 3PT, 16/20 FT

- Mount Marty (AWAY): 22/56 FG, 17/30 2PT, 5/26 3PT, 7/12 FT

Key Performance Indicators:

* Isaac Bruns (South Dakota) - 23 points, 9 rebounds, 3 three-pointers

* Dysen Peterson (Mount Marty) - 17 points, 7 rebounds