03/22/19 09:25:00
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03/22 21:24 CDT Edwards' 3s lead Clemson over South Dakota 79-66 in NCAAs
Edwards' 3s lead Clemson over South Dakota 79-66 in NCAAs
By DAVID BRANDT
AP Sports Writer
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) --- Danielle Edwards endured three straight years of a
lot of losses before finally getting a chance to play in the Big Dance. With
every 3-pointer that splashed through the net in the fourth quarter, it was
obvious the Clemson senior was ready for her opportunity.
Simone Westbrook scored 27 points, Edwards added 25 and ninth-seeded Clemson
pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat No. 8 seed South Dakota 79-66 on
Friday in the first round of the women's NCAA Tournament.
Edwards made four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to turn a tight game into a
fairly comfortable victory. She made 10 of 17 shots, including 5 of 9 from
3-point range.
"It was amazing," Edwards said. "Honestly, I was a little nervous in the first
quarter. But once I started going to the basket and trusting my teammates I got
a little comfortable. They did a great job of finding me."
Then she grinned.
"Once I hit the first one, I was calling for it whether I was open or not."
Clemson, which was in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002, won a
tourney game for the first time in 18 years.
Clemson (20-12) trailed for much of the game until late in the third quarter,
when Westbrook made a 3-pointer to give the Tigers a 47-45 lead. The Tigers
never trailed again, partly because of Edwards and partly because South
Dakota's shooting touch vanished.
Clemson had 10 steals, including four by Westbrook. On one play, she simply
ripped away an inbounds pass on the baseline and made an easy layup to extend
the Tigers' lead in the fourth quarter.
"As soon as they caught it we wanted to be in their mouth, making them
uncomfortable," Westbrook said. "That's where we thrive. That's where we get
our offense from is from our defense."
South Dakota (28-6) shot just 3 of 19 from 3-point range in the second half.
The Coyotes were in the NCAA Tournament after earning the first at-large bid in
Summit League history.
Hannah Sjerven led South Dakota with 17 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.
South Dakota senior Allison Arens, who had 15 points, said Clemson did a good
job getting the Coyotes out of rhythm.
"They put some really good ball pressure on us, they picked us up full court,"
Arens said. "We didn't see that a lot this season. We prepared for it, but
sometimes you just can't prepare for things like that."
South Dakota shot 50 percent from the field in the first half to take a 35-31
halftime lead. Sjerven hit all five of her shots before the break to lead the
Coyotes with 10 points.
TECHNICAL TROUBLE
South Dakota had a 44-36 lead in the third quarter when a rare technical foul
hurt the team's momentum. The Coyotes were called for the technical after a
substitution infraction.
Coyotes coach Dawn Plitzuweit said the referees told her that one of her
players checked in while the ball was in play. Clemson made both free throws
and scored on the next possession to cut into the Coyotes' lead.
BIG PICTURE
Clemson: It's another great win in a remarkable season for the Tigers. Clemson
was picked to finish near the bottom of the ACC, but has flourished under
first-year coach Amanda Butler. Now the Tigers have won 20 games and will play
again on Sunday.
South Dakota: The Coyotes looked unstoppable for parts of the first half, but
couldn't hit a basket in the fourth quarter while Edwards got hot. South Dakota
appears to have a decent shot to make the NCAA Tournament again next year
considering it loses just one senior.
___
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