South Dakota's Cameron Fens stole the show at the Swinney Center, leading his team to an 82-75 win over Missouri-Kansas City. Fens' impressive performance, which included 23 points and 12 rebounds, was the driving force behind the Coyotes' victory. The win marked a successful prediction by CHD Scout, which had South Dakota winning by 8.5 points. Although the margin was slightly narrower, the outcome was as expected, with the Coyotes ultimately prevailing by 7 points.
The game got off to a slow start for South Dakota, as they trailed Kansas City 31-23 at halftime. However, the Coyotes came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Roos 41-33 to take control of the game. Fens was instrumental in the turnaround, scoring 15 of his 23 points in the second half. He was complemented by Uzziah Buntyn, who added 20 points, and Jordan Crawford, who chipped in with 16 points.
Kansas City, on the other hand, was led by Chris Dockery, who posted 17 points and 8 rebounds. CJ Evans and Jerome Palm also made significant contributions, scoring 16 and 14 points, respectively. Despite these efforts, the Roos were unable to overcome the Coyotes' second-half surge.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The win is a significant one for South Dakota, as it improves their record to 13-12. While it may not have been an upset, the victory is still an important one for the Coyotes' resume. The game was classified as a Quadrant 4 contest for both teams, meaning it was a lower-tier matchup. However, South Dakota's ability to take care of business on the road is a positive sign, particularly given their current net ranking of 278.
For Kansas City, the loss drops their record to 4-20. As a Quadrant 4 game, the defeat is not particularly damaging to their resume, but it does highlight the challenges the Roos face in terms of competing against more formidable opponents. With a net ranking of 353, Kansas City has a long way to go in terms of improving their standing.
In terms of tournament implications, the win is a modest boost to South Dakota's chances. While they are still a long shot to make the NCAA Tournament, the Coyotes have improved their resume with this victory. The loss, on the other hand, does little to harm Kansas City's already slim tournament hopes. As the season enters its final stretch, South Dakota want to build on this win and continue to strengthen their resume, while Kansas City will aim to finish the season on a high note. The Coyotes' victory over the Roos may not have been a major upset, but it is a significant one in terms of their tournament aspirations.