BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) Chloe Lamb scored 22 points, Madison McKeever added 19 and the two combined for 19 fourth-quarter points to help No. 20 South Dakota fend off South Dakota State 77-67 and claim the outright Summit League championship Saturday.
The Coyotes (26-2, 15-0) won their 15th straight game, all in conference play, but received a sterner test from the second-place Jackrabbits (20-9, 12-3) than in the 83-48 romp on Jan. 19.
Leading by seven entering the final quarter, the Coyotes quickly expanded their margin to double figures and it remained that way until an 11-3 run got the Jackrabbits within seven with 2 1/2 minutes to play. It was a six-point game with 45 seconds left but South Dakota made six straight free throws - four by McKeever - to ensure the win.
Lamb, who scored 13 points in the first half, made four 3-pointers. Ciara Duffy added 17 points and eight assists and Taylor Frederick 10 points. South Dakota shot 58%, 70% in the second half.
Tagyn Larson scored 18 points with nine rebounds, Tori Nelson added 12 points and Paiton Burckhard 11 for South Dakota State.
South Dakota goes for a perfect conference season next Saturday when it plays host to North Dakota.
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