The Basics
Score: No. 5 South Dakota State 74, No. 4 Kansas City 61
Records: South Dakota (19-11), Kansas City (19-12)
Location: Denny Sanford PREMIER Center - Sioux Falls, S.D.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – No. 5 South Dakota topped No. 4 Kansas City with a 74-61 win on Sunday night, advancing to the Summit League Men's Championship semifinals after the physical victory. 
 
The Coyotes used a balanced scoring effort to ultimately get separation against the Roos in a game that was tight until the final minute. All five USD starters scored in double figures, led by 15 points from sophomore Tasos Kamateros. 
 
The Roos were paced by 19 points from Defensive Player of the Year Marvin Nesbitt Jr, but it ultimately would not be enough for Kansas City to claim its third win of the season over USD. 
 
“I’m really proud of the guys,” Coyotes head coach Todd Lee said. “They got us twice and we’ll get ready to go tomorrow.” 
 
USD led by five at the break, buoyed in part by a 17-8 rebounding advantage in the first half. The Roos would respond in the second half, staying within two possessions until Newcomer of the Year Evan Gilyard II (11 points) cut the deficit to one at 61-60 with 5:34 left. 
 
From there, Kruz Perrott-Hunt (13 points) made multiple big plays down the stretch, including a reverse layup to put the Coyotes up 68-61 with just over a minute remaining. 
 
“I think it was just about keeping our poise,” Perrott-Hunt said after the game. “Overall it was just staying calm and making big-time plays.” 
 
Arkel Lamar (11 points, 9 rebounds) played a big role helping the Roos deal with USD’s size in the second half, and fellow forward Josiah Allick scored 10 points while playing every minute of the game. USD, however, only turned the ball over 10 times, dealing well with the Roos’ league-leading turnover defense.
 
The Coyotes move on to face top-seeded South Dakota State in an in-state showdown at 6 p.m. CT on Monday night.
 
Turning Point
Perrott-Hunt proved to be in the center of the action as the Coyotes made their final push past Kansas City. He was fouled on a fadeaway shot on the baseline deep in the shot clock with 5:04 left after the Roos had cut the deficit to one. The ensuing free throw put USD up 64-60, and the Roos would not get closer than four points the rest of the way.
 
Inside the Box Score 

• The Coyotes shot 90.5 percent from the free throw line (19-21), a success rate that proved pivotal in a close game.
• Gilyard II was held to just 3-13 from the field, and 1-7 from three. Lee praised the way the Coyotes were able to defend the talented senior guard after the game. 
• USD finished +15 on the glass (39-24) and blocked six shots, including three from Goodrick.

News & Notes

• The Coyotes advance to the Summit League semifinals for the second consecutive season, and play the Jackrabbits in the event for the first time since the 2018 championship game.
• The No. 4 seed had won three of the last five #SummitMBB Championship titles.
• Goodrick was one point off his career high of 15 points. 
• Nesbitt Jr. finished his Kansas City career tying Spencer Johnson for the lead in all-time appearances for the Roos (121 games).

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