The Coyotes defeated the Lopers 59-48 to advance to the regional finals for the first time since 2002-03 and the third time in their program's history.

UNK coach Carol Russell said her team was simply overmatched by a very good team.

"Our kids gave a great effort and they fought extremely tough," Russell said in a post-game radio interview. "There was just a lull there in the first half when we got behind. We played right with them in the second half, but you cannot do that against a good team."

Seniors Melissa Hinkley and Amy Mathis each recorded a double-double in the final game of their college careers for Nebraska-Kearney, which finished the season 27-7. Mathis had a game-high in points (17) and rebounds (16), while Hinkley scored 10 points and finished with 12 boards.

Russell said she's proud of everything Mathis and Hinkley have accomplished.

"Five years ago when I recruited those two kids, I knew that they would make an impact on the program, but I didn't realize quite how much of an impact they'd make," Russell said. "They've made their mark they definitely have on this program."

The Coyotes (30-1) were led by Jeana Hoffman who scored a game-high 17 points. She hit of 50 percent of her shots from behind the 3-point line (4-of-8) as USD shot 46.7 percent as a team from 3-point range.

The Lopers never led, twice trailing by 13 points in the first half before cutting their deficit to 33-25 at the intermission.

The Coyotes forged their largest lead of the game at 55-41 on an Amber Hegge jumper with 3:39 to play. UNK got to within eight points three times in the second half the last coming on a Mathis jumper with 53 seconds remaining but couldn't get any closer.

Both teams struggled shooting the ball. UNK hit just 25 percent of its shots 19.4 percent in the second half while South Dakota shot 32.1 percent.

"That is what the postseason is about. You have to be tough," Hoffman said. "UNK was ready to play. We were ready to play, even though we didn't shoot great. We played tough defense, had rebounds and made clutch baskets."

The Lopers played South Dakota much tougher the second time around. In the teams' previous meeting back on Dec. 1, the Coyotes won 84-51 on their home floor.

UNK outrebounded the Coyotes 53-39, including a 19-11 edge in offensive rebounds.

"We shot better when we destroyed them in December, but we couldn't hit anything tonight," South Dakota coach Chad Lavin said. "What you saw was both teams had seniors and we both blew each other out the last two years. Mathis and Hinkley controlled the emotions on their team. Our seniors controlled emotions on our side.

"We are just fortunate to move on."

Hegge and Shannon Daly each added 12 points for the Coyotes.

"It's a little more comforting playing a team you know, but last time we played UNK we blew them out," Daly said. "You get a feel for what your opponent will do having played them."

South Dakota will now play Minnesota State in the NCAA Division II North Central Region championship game at 7 p.m. Monday at the DakotaDome.

SOUTH DAKOTA 59, NEB.-KEARNEY 48

NEB.-KEARNEY (27-7)

Mathis 4-14 8-8 17, Hinkley 3-10 4-7 10, Schuppe 0-3 0-0 0, Meads 3-12 1-2 7, Mildenberger 2-8 0-0 4, Petri 0-3 0-0 0, Becker 3-9 3-6 9, Schneider 0-1 1-2 1. Totals 15-60 17-25 48.

SOUTH DAKOTA (30-1)

Yoerger 2-7 5-7 9, Robinette 0-6 1-2 1, Daly 3-8 5-7 12, Jea.Hoffman 5-14 3-6 17, Jen.Hoffman 2-5 1-2 6, Hegge 4-9 3-4 12, Youngberg 0-0 0-0 0, Mosley 1-4 0-2 2. Totals 17-53 18-30 59.

HalftimeSouth Dakota 33, UNK 25. 3-point goalsUNK 1-5 (Mathis 1-2, Meads 0-1, Petri 0-2), South Dakota 7-15 (Robinette 0-2, Daly 1-2, Jea.Hoffman 4-8, Jen.Hoffman 1-1, Hegge 1-2). Fouled outBecker, Yoerger. ReboundsUNK 53 (Mathis 16), South Dakota 39 (Yoerger 9). AssistsUNK 8 (Hinkley 3), South Dakota 10 (Jen.Hoffman 3). TurnoversUNK 20, South Dakota 13. Total foulsUNK 24, South Dakota 18. TechnicalsNone. A2,320.