For the Coyotes to basically assure themselves a spot in the regional tournament, they would need to win their first game in the North Central Conference Tournament on Wednesday. One would think the task would be easy as the Coyotes would face North Dakota, a team the Coyotes beat twice in the regular season, both time by 20 points.
However, the Coyotes were upset by the now 14-14 UND, 78-76. UND's Emmanuel Little made a contested layup with 0.9 seconds left to seal the game for UND.
The Coyotes jumped out to an early lead as they had in the last two games against UND and built a lead of 22-9 with 13 minutes left to go in the first half. Then, UND started to slowly crawl their way back into the game and closed their deficit to five points at halftime as the score was 42-37.
After halftime, UND came out firing and went on a 13-2 run to take the lead at 50-44. UND held a small lead throughout the second half, but the Coyotes were able to take a 74-72 lead with 2:52 left in the game.
UND would tie the game up at 74 after Emmanuel Little hit a jumper with 1:42 to go in the game. O.J. Harrison would make a layup with 39 seconds left to give UND a 76-74 lead, but Jesse Becker charged down the court to tie the game up again at 76 with 28 seconds left.
With the shot clock shut off, UND would hold for the last shot of the game. With three seconds, Emmanuel Little drove the lane and put up a layup which fell through to give UND the game winning shot and possibly ending the Coyotes season.
Cain led the way for the Coyotes with 16 points, 13 rebounds, five steals, and two blocks. The loss overshadowed the fact Cain tied the USD record for career blocks with 180. Cain is now tied with Tim Hatchett (1986-90).
Coyote head coach Dave Boots said the team couldn't make the plays when they needed to.
"We didn't make the shots when we needed to, we didn't get the defensive stops when we needed them, and we didn't grab the rebounds when they mattered," Boots said. "UND made the plays tonight."
Senior Eric Hall said the game tonight was similar to most of their games this year.
"Other teams are making plays and we haven't been making the same plays and we have lost close games because of that," Hall said.
Hall said if the Coyotes don't make the tournament it would be tough on him and the team.
"This sucks for me because if we don't get in, then I am done," Hall said. "I just like being around the guys and everything and we will just have to see what happens."
Cain said it would be tough rest of the week sitting around to find out of the Coyotes make the regional tournament.
"That's all we can do is sit there and hope some other team lets us into the tournament," Cain said.
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