The South Dakota Coyotes asserted their dominance over the Missouri-Kansas City Roos, winning 99-83 at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center. The Coyotes' victory was fueled by a remarkable performance from Cameron Fens, who tallied 31 points and 15 rebounds. Fens' double-double set the tone for South Dakota, which built a commanding 56-36 lead by halftime.
The Roos struggled to contain Fens and the Coyotes' high-powered offense, which shot efficiently throughout the game. Isaac Bruns and Jordan Crawford provided significant support, scoring 22 and 16 points, respectively. The trio's collective effort allowed South Dakota to maintain a comfortable margin, despite a stronger second-half showing from Kansas City.
Kasheem Grady II led the Roos with 21 points and 7 rebounds, but his efforts were not enough to overcome the deficit. CJ Evans and Chris Dockery chipped in with 14 and 13 points, respectively, as Kansas City outscored South Dakota 47-43 in the second half. However, the Roos' late surge was too little, too late, as the Coyotes had already established a decisive advantage.
The game's outcome was never seriously in doubt, as South Dakota's first-half onslaught put Kansas City in a hole it could not escape. The Coyotes' 56-point outburst in the opening period was a reflection of their offensive prowess, and they continued to move the ball effectively throughout the game.
This matchup was not expected to be closely contested, given the significant disparity in the teams' net rankings. South Dakota, currently ranked 280th, faced off against a Kansas City squad ranked 347th. The result, therefore, was not surprising, but the manner in which the Coyotes dominated was impressive nonetheless.
In terms of tournament implications, this win does little to bolster South Dakota's resume, as it falls into the Quadrant 4 category. Similarly, the loss does not significantly harm Kansas City's already slim postseason hopes, also classified as a Quadrant 4 game. However, the Coyotes can take solace in the fact that they took care of business against an inferior opponent, which is essential for building momentum and confidence.
The convincing victory serves as a reflection of South Dakota's ability to perform against lesser opponents, but it must replicate this success against more formidable foes to make a meaningful impact on the tournament landscape. For now, the Coyotes want to build on this win and continue to improve their overall record, while the Roos will aim to regroup and find ways to compete more effectively against stronger opponents.