South Dakota
ESPN Analyst Puts Cowgirls on Upset Alert Against South Dakota State
Oklahoma State has had a great season, but a tough matchup could end its postseason run early.
The Cowgirls are in the midst of one of the best seasons in program history. Entering the NCAA Tournament at 25-6, the Cowgirls are set to finish with one of the best records the team has ever had as Jacie Hoyt continues to build the program in her third year.
Despite being ranked in the AP Top 25 for much of Big 12 play and entering the NCAA Tournament as the No. 17 team, OSU was only able to muster a No. 7 seed in the big dance. While that should still pit the Cowgirls against a team that isn’t in the rankings, they got unlucky on that front as well. OSU is set to face No. 10 seed South Dakota State, which is at No. 24 in the AP poll.
In ESPN’s recent article predicting 10 women’s March Madness upsets, Charlie Creme picked the Jackrabbits to get the best of the Cowgirls.
“Two years ago in the NCAA tournament, the Jackrabbits beat USC in an 8-9 game,” Creme wrote. “In 2019, they reached the Sweet 16 as a No. 6 seed, upsetting third-seeded Syracuse in the second round. Coach Aaron Johnston knows about success in March. After facing the nation’s 13th-most-difficult nonconference schedule, South Dakota State is prepared for March.”
While the Jackrabbits are prepared for March, the Cowgirls should be set for battle as well. OSU has played some of its best basketball this season in its games against the top teams in the Big 12.
While many of those performances came in Stillwater, the Cowgirls have shown their level of play can travel after nearly taking down Baylor in overtime in the Big 12 Tournament. While it might be human nature to look past South Dakota State and look at an elite UConn team that awaits the winner, OSU must come out ready to face South Dakota State.
With South Dakota State riding a 19-game winning streak into the first round, OSU needs to be ready for a hard-fought game.
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South Dakota
South Dakota knocks off Denver 82-72
VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) — Cameron Fens scored 23 points as South Dakota beat Denver 82-72 on Saturday.
Fens also contributed 12 rebounds and four blocks for the Coyotes (9-9, 1-2 Summit League). Isaac Bruns scored 20 points while going 8 of 12 and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line and added six rebounds. Jordan Crawford went 5 of 11 from the field (3 for 7 from 3-point range) to finish with 13 points.
Gabe Oldham led the Pioneers (8-11, 1-3) in scoring, finishing with 24 points, 13 rebounds and two steals. Denver also got 19 points from Zane Nelson. Carson Johnson also put up 11 points and six assists.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
South Dakota
SD Highway Patrol releases new details on hit and run, asks for public’s help
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota Highway Patrol is continuing to look for the suspect in a deadly hit-and-run near Humboldt, SD.
In a Facebook post, the SD Highway Patrol has released new details regarding the semi suspected of committing the hit and run.
According to police, the semi is a red Freightliner Cascadia semi, missing its passenger-side headlight.
The semi was traveling eastbound from the Humboldt area on I-90 in the early morning hours of Jan. 3, 2026.
Police are seeking information, video, or pictures from 2:13 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. along I-90 and I-29 from the public.
If you have any tips or footage, contact the South Dakota Highway Patrol District 2 Office at (605) 367-5700.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
South Dakota
Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources announces $48 million for statewide projects
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) has the approval of over $48 million in loans and grants for statewide projects.
Together with the Board of Water and Natural Resources, a total of $36,958,000 in state loans, including $425,000 in principal forgiveness, was authorized for drinking water and wastewater improvements.
More funding was distributed to the following programs:
BDM Rural Water:
- Received an additional $233,450 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to construct a new water treatment plant, install a new water reservoir, install a pipe to expand the water system, and replace water meters
Clay Rural Water:
- Received $334,250 in ARPA grant funds to construct two ground storage reservoirs near the Greenfield reservoir and the Wakonda Water Treatment plant
Mid-Dakota Rural Water System:
- Received $917,357.85 in ARPA grant to update the existing water system
Mitchell:
- Received $3,930,000 in Clean Water State Revolving Funds to upgrade the clay sanitary and storm sewer
Rapid City:
- Received a $14,512,000 Drinking Water State Revolving loan to make improvements to an existing well and also construct two new wells
Shared Resources:
- Received $1,500,000 in ARPA grant funds for a treatment plant, well field, distribution pipeline, and two storage tanks
Sioux Falls:
- Received $7,648,000 to complete a third connection to the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System
- Received $17,746,000 to construct a new Southeast Basin sanitary force main
South Lincoln Rural Water System:
- Received $328,250 in ARPA funds to install an elevated water tank, new pump station, and new water treatment plant
South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources:
- Received $1 million in ARPA funds for its statewide Riparian Buffer Initiative
Toronto:
- Received $770,000 Drinking Water Revolving Loan to accommodate the Department of Transportation installing new storm sewers and highway surfacing
These programs are funded through a combination of federal appropriations, loan repayments, and bonds.
The board approved the funding during a January 8 meeting in Pierre.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
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