 "Photo: Courtesy of the Yankton Press & Dakotan")
 "Photo: Courtesy photo from the Yankton P&D")
USD men’s basketball now rides at 5-3 on the season, following a week of competition against both NAIA and top-seeded national competition. During that time, a pair of records were set, as senior Tyler Cain hit 1,000 career points at USD and freshman Jake Thomas swept into first place for most three-pointers in a single game, dropping in nine against Midland Lutheran Nov. 29.
Even with the variety of opponents, head coach Dave Boots said the team brought their game each night.
“They went out and played hard,” Boots said. “That’s how you build confidence. Success is when they believe and they have to get it done.”
Despite three scorers in double figures, the Coyotes failed to defeat Marquette University Nov 24. Cain led the team with 19 points while Thomas added 12 points on four three-pointers and seven rebounds.
For Thomas, the game was almost a homecoming as his hometown of Racine Wis., is about 30 minutes from Marquette.
“It was good to see everyone,” Thomas said. “Almost everyone I know was at that game.”
The Coyotes kept the game close for most of the first half, despite attempts by Marquette to get rolling, but Cain hit back-to-back buckets and two free throws to keep the Coyotes in the running. USD continued to battle in the second half, as sophomore Louie Krogman hit a three at the 16 minute mark to pull the Coyotes to 60-45, but USD never got closer than a 15-point deficit, concluding the game with a score of 93-58.
After that, the Coyotes returned to the Dome for a home stand against various NAIA opponents, starting with Dana College Sat. Nov. 28.
Boots said even though there was a change in opponent levels the team brought their game to all matchups.
“I think we learned a lot more playing (nationally ranked teams) than we ever have,” Boots said. “It helped us go in there against NAIA opponents and we always respect everyone we play.”
Cain came into the matchup 11 points off the 1,000 mark, and secured the honor that night. Despite making it to the record books, he said it was not something he was especially focused on now.
“It’s nice, always nice to be in the record books,” Cain said. “It wasn’t something that big but still something nice to have. Now that it’s out of the way I can focus on the season.”
Cain’s 18 points were among several offensive contributions as Krogman had his first career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Thomas added 17 points, hitting 5-of-7 three-point attempts, while junior Mitchell Bouie added 14 points to the grand total.
USD kept the lead for all but a few minutes in the first half and surged ahead and took a 46-33 lead at the break. Halftime did not shatter the Coyotes’ stride as Cain, Krogman, and Thomas kept the momentum going, snapping in shots for the third victory of the season, beating Dana 100-65.
“All of our freshman starters had good minutes,” Boots said. “Plus it’s very nice to see Tyler reach those milestones.”
The next day came Midland Lutheran College, and the story was much the same, with a second Coyote record being set during a matchup against an NAIA opponent. Thomas dropped in nine three-pointers, which guided him to a career high 31 points, and earned him a slot in the record books just seven games into his collegiate career.
“Shooting threes is a lot easier than going to the basket,” Thomas said. “I didn’t really expect it right away but when I knew I was going to play I had to think about how I can help out the team.”
By the end of the night USD came out with a 104-71 victory over Midland Lutheran. Krogman chipped in with an additional 18 points, while freshman Dustin Tetzlaff also had a notable night, adding a career and team high 10 rebounds.
Thomas started on his record breaking streak early on, swishing in his first four 3-point attempts during a 16-4 run in the game’s first three minutes and 20 seconds. Midland Lutheran sicced ahead for the lead, 26-21, but USD’s 8-2 charge, with threes by Krogman and Thomas reclaimed the edge 34-23. Thomas scored 22 of USD’s points during that run, 18 from his three-pointers.
Boots said as a four-year player, Thomas has the potential to do well into the future.
“We recruited him to come in and be a good player right away for us,” Boots said. “Jake has a chance for a good four year career. He’s fitting in, a coachable kid, and it’s always proud to see them do well.”
Finally, the Coyotes dominated a one-sided shooting spree during a 111-59 victory over Dakota State Dec. 2 in the DakotaDome. USD took hold of a nine-point lead at the start of the game and kept going, led by as many as 52 points in the second half, to close out their games until Dec. 11 against Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
Reach Reporter Sarah Paulus at Sarah.Paulus@usd.edu.
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