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Voters in at least five states restore reproductive rights • South Dakota Searchlight

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Voters in at least five states restore reproductive rights • South Dakota Searchlight


In the first presidential election since the U.S. Supreme Court allowed state governments to determine if, when and why a woman can end a pregnancy, former President Donald Trump, who touted during the campaign he “was able to kill Roe v. Wade” appeared poised to be reelected early Wednesday. Simultaneously, at least five out of 10 states voted to restore or expand abortion rights, according to early election results.

National anti-abortion groups celebrated Trump’s impending victory over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, who campaigned heavily on restoring reproductive rights. They also celebrated the defeat of Florida’s and South Dakota’s abortion-rights amendments, and foreshadowed a full assault on reproductive freedom throughout the country.

Abortion-rights measure loses in South Dakota

“Now the work begins to dismantle the pro-abortion policies of the Biden-Harris administration,” said Susan B Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser in a statement. “President Trump’s first-term pro-life accomplishments are the baseline for his second term. In the long term, GOP pro-life resolve must be strengthened and centered on the unalienable right to life for unborn children that exists under the 14th Amendment.”

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Despite their losses, abortion-rights advocates said the ballot question victories signal widespread American support for abortion protections even in red states.

Most significantly, Missourians voted to overturn a total abortion ban. Voters also approved an abortion-rights amendment in Arizona, which will override the current 15-week ban. Voters agreed to expand reproductive-rights protections in Colorado, Maryland and New York. Ballot measure races in Montana and Nevada were too close to call as of early morning Wednesday.

“This is an especially historic win for Missouri,” said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the national legal advocacy group Center for Reproductive Rights. “In fact, the amendment goes even further, calling for ‘a fundamental right to reproductive freedom, defined to include abortion and all matters relating to reproductive health care.’ By saying yes to this powerful language, voters have demanded the return of the essential human rights and freedoms they lost after Roe was overturned.”

But abortion-rights advocates suffered a major loss in Florida, which barely failed to clear a 60% supermajority threshold, more than any of the other state abortion initiatives. With 58% voting in favor to overturn a strict abortion ban and enshrine protections, Florida is the first state to fail to secure abortion rights since Roe v. Wade was overturned two years ago.

Abortion-rights organizers who spearheaded and funded Florida’s Yes on 4 campaign said the result still shows majority approval for abortion rights among Floridians, and they vow to continue trying to restore abortion rights in the state that six months ago was an abortion-access haven for the Southeast region.

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“We’re incredibly proud to have stood with doctors, patients, and advocates impacted by this ban,” said Yes on 4 Florida campaign manager Lauren Brenzel in a statement. “Their stories, along with the countless women who will continue to suffer under Florida’s cruel and extreme abortion ban, remind us that our fight is far from over.”

Attorney and anti-abortion activist Catherine Glenn Foster told States Newsroom she is celebrating the fact that Floridians blocked attempts to enshrine abortion in their state constitution. However, she acknowledged that state abortion bans have created real problems, including women dying of preventable pregnancy-related causes and being denied routine miscarriage care. She said states that ban abortion should increase social supports, something that largely hasn’t happened since states started banning abortion, and should implement a robust training system around treating health emergencies.

“We need to have a real reckoning,” said Foster, who has previously worked for major anti-abortion groups like Americans United for Life and Alliance Defending Freedom. “We’ve created an environment where doctors are scared. They don’t know how to respond and how to treat, and that’s a big problem. We have to address that before we pass anything else.”

Abortion ballot initiative results 

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022, seven states — California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Ohio and Vermont — have approved reproductive-rights state constitutional amendments or rejected anti-abortion constitutional amendments. This year reproductive-rights coalitions put abortion on the ballot in 10 states. Arkansas had collected enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, but this summer the state Supreme Court ruled that Arkansans for Limited Government, the committee behind the initiative, did not submit the correct paperwork. The  group opposing abortion, marijuana and education measures in the state was led by a top adviser to Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Arkansas Advocate reported.

Arizona — Proposition 139, to enshrine abortion rights until fetal viability — APPROVED

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YES: 63%

NO: 37%

In this swing state, abortion is currently legal until 15 weeks’ gestation. Earlier this year, a few Republicans crossed party lines to repeal a Civil War-era near-total abortion ban the legislature had revived. This citizen-initiated amendment would also prevent any penalties for someone who helps a person get an abortion. And it would allow for exceptions later in pregnancy for the patient’s life or physical or mental health.

Colorado — Initiative 79, to allow public insurance to cover abortions — APPROVED

YES: 62%

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NO: 39%

The citizen-initiated amendment proposes to expand abortion access in a state that currently has no gestational limits but does have a 40-year-old public funding ban. The amendment also proposes to prevent government interference in pregnancy and allow public insurance to cover abortions.

Florida — Amendment 4, to enshrine abortion rights until viability — FAILED

YES: 57%

NO: 43%

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This citizen-initiated amendment would have overturned a 6-week abortion ban that has impacted the Southeast. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration mounted fierce opposition against the abortion-rights campaign that involved a state-sponsored misinformation campaign. Florida was the only state in this election to require a 60% supermajority for ballot measures.

Maryland — Question 1, to protect reproductive autonomy — APPROVED

YES: 74%

NO: 26%

This legislatively-referred amendment would enshrine an individual’s right to make “decisions to prevent, continue, or end” a pregnancy. Maryland has become a major abortion-access haven for the country; it is legal here until fetal viability and after for reasons related to the health of the fetus or pregnant person.

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Missouri — Amendment 3, to enshrine abortion rights until fetal viability — APPROVED

YES: 52%

NO: 48%

This citizen-initiated amendment would overturn a near-total abortion ban that only has exceptions to prevent the death of the pregnant person. The ban’s ambiguous language led at least one Missouri hospital system to stop providing emergency contraception to patients, a move that forced the state attorney general to announce that Plan B and contraception remain legal.

Montana — Constitutional Initiative 128, to enshrine abortion rights until fetal viability — RESULTS NOT FINAL

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YES: 58%

NO: 42%

This citizen-initiated amendment would guarantee protections in a state where abortion is currently legal but where Republican lawmakers have attempted to pass restrictions since Roe fell in 2022. Preliminary results show supporters of the measure were leading opponents as of 11 p.m. local time.

Nebraska — Initiative 434, to ban abortion after the first trimester vs. Initiative 439, to enshrine the right to abortion until viability

Initiative 434  — APPROVED

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FOR: 55%

AGAINST: 45%

Initiative 439

FOR: 49%

AGAINST: 51%

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Nebraska was the only state to have two competing abortion-related initiatives on the ballot.

Nevada — Question 6, to enshrine abortion rights until fetal viability — RESULTS NOT FINAL

YES: 63%

NO: 37%

In this swing state abortion is currently legal up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, but this citizen-initiated measure would enshrine abortion rights into law. The measure will need to be approved by voters again in 2026 to become law.

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New York — Proposal 1, to bar discrimination based on pregnancy status — APPROVED

YES: 62%

NO: 39%

This legislatively-referred measure would guarantee abortion rights in a state where abortion is legal up to 24 weeks of pregnancy — later if a provider determines the procedure is necessary to save a patient’s life or health, or if the fetus is nonviable.

South Dakota — Amendment G, to allow abortion through the end of the first trimester — FAILED

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YES: 39%

NO: 61%

This citizen-initiated measure would have allowed regulation in the second trimester for maternal health reasons and allow lawmakers in the third trimester unless the procedure is necessary to save the life or health of a pregnant patient.

Races where abortion took center stage  

Minnesota Congressional District 3

Democrat Dr. Kelly Morrison: 59%

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Republican Tad Jude: 41%

Minnesota State Sen. Kelly Morrison, DFL-Deephaven, won the Minnesota 3rd Congressional District race to replace Democratic U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips in a seat that before 2018 had for decades gone to Republicans, AP reported. Morrison is a practicing OB-GYN who supports abortion rights. Currently, the only OB-GYNs in Congress oppose abortion. Her Republican opponent, Tad Jude, has called every abortion a “tragedy” and supported the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

A special election in Minnesota will determine who takes over Morrison’s state Senate seat, whose term ends in 2026.

Wisconsin Congressional District 8

Republican Tony Wied: 60%

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Democrat Dr. Kristin Lyerly: 40%

Of the close races in the swing state of Wisconsin, the 8th Congressional District was the least likely to flip from Republican control. But Dr. Kristin Lyerly launched a fierce campaign emphasizing a commitment to restoring reproductive health access to Americans, something she is uniquely positioned to advocate for as a longtime OB-GYN and abortion provider. Lyerly is also one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit that successfully blocked an 1849 Wisconsin feticide law that was temporarily enforced as a state abortion ban. Her campaign attracted national campaign cash and support. Her opponent, Republican Tony Wied, a former gas station owner, largely ran on his Trump endorsement.

Tennessee State House District 75

Republican Jeff Burkhart: 55 %

Democrat Allie Phillips: 45 %

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Incumbent Republican Rep. Jeff Burkhart defeated former day care operator and political newcomer Allie Phillips, who largely campaigned on reproductive rights. The 29-year-old drew national attention after speaking out about being denied a necessary abortion in Tennessee, where abortion is banned, when her desired pregnancy became nonviable and dangerous at 19 weeks. She ultimately traveled out of state to obtain the abortion. Phillips joined a legal challenge to the state’s strict abortion law. She pledged if elected to immediately push for a policy that would carve out exceptions for fetal anomalies to Tennessee’s abortion ban, which she’s named “Miley’s Law” after the baby she and her husband lost.



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South Dakota Election Live Results 2024

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South Dakota Election Live Results 2024


Steven McCleereyS. McCleereyMcCleerey Democrat

Mark SumptionM. SumptionSumption Democrat

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David KullD. KullKullincumbent Republican

John SjaardaJ. SjaardaSjaardaincumbent Republican

Brandei SchaefbauerB. SchaefbauerSchaefbauerincumbent Republican

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Erin RudnerE. RudnerRudner Democrat

Kent RoeK. RoeRoe Republican

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Dylan JordanD. JordanJordan Republican

Diane DrakeD. DrakeDrake Democrat

Amy RambowA. RambowRambow Democrat

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Aaron AylwardA. AylwardAylwardincumbent Republican

Garret CampbellG. CampbellCampbell Democrat

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Mellissa HeermannM. HeermannHeermannincumbent Republican

Roger DeGrootR. DeGrootDeGrootincumbent Republican

Tim ReischT. ReischReischincumbent Republican

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Tim WalburgT. WalburgWalburg Republican

Bethany SoyeB. SoyeSoyeincumbent Republican

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Beverly Froslie JohnsonB. Froslie JohnsonFroslie Johnson Democrat

Kameron NelsonK. NelsonNelsonincumbent Democrat

Erin HealyE. HealyHealyincumbent Democrat

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Brian MulderB. MulderMulderincumbent Republican

Aaron MatsonA. MatsonMatson Democrat

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Amber ArlintA. ArlintArlintincumbent Republican

Greg JamisonG. JamisonJamisonincumbent Republican

Tony VenhuizenT. VenhuizenVenhuizenincumbent Republican

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John HughesJ. HughesHughes Republican

Taylor Rae RehfeldtT. RehfeldtRehfeldtincumbent Republican

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Keith BlockK. BlockBlock Democrat

Kadyn WittmanK. WittmanWittmanincumbent Democrat

Erik MuckeyE. MuckeyMuckey Democrat

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Karla LemsK. LemsLemsincumbent Republican

Matthew NessM. NessNess Democrat

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William ShormaW. ShormaShormaincumbent Republican

Chris KassinC. KassinKassinincumbent Republican

Mike StevensM. StevensStevensincumbent Republican

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Julie AuchJ. AuchAuchincumbent Republican

Drew PetersonD. PetersonPetersonincumbent Republican

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Jessica BahmullerJ. BahmullerBahmullerincumbent Republican

Jeff BathkeJ. BathkeBathke Republican

Kaley NolzK. NolzNolz Republican

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Marty OverwegM. OverwegOverwegincumbent Republican

Jim HalversonJ. HalversonHalverson Republican

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Kevin Van DiepenK. Van DiepenVan Diepen Republican

Lana GreenfieldL. GreenfieldGreenfield Republican

Scott MooreS. MooreMooreincumbent Republican

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Spencer GoschS. GoschGosch Republican

Will MortensonW. MortensonMortensonincumbent Republican

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Mike WeisgramM. WeisgramWeisgramincumbent Republican

Jon HansenJ. HansenHansenincumbent Republican

Les HeinemannL. HeinemannHeinemann Republican

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Peri PourierP. PourierPourierincumbent Democrat

Liz MayL. MayMayincumbent Republican

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Kathy RiceK. RiceRice Republican

Terri JorgensonT. JorgensonJorgenson Republican

Trish LadnerT. LadnerLadnerincumbent Republican

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Susan ScheirbeckS. ScheirbeckScheirbeck Democrat

Scott OdenbachS. OdenbachOdenbachincumbent Republican

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Mary FitzgeraldM. FitzgeraldFitzgeraldincumbent Republican

Steve DuffyS. DuffyDuffyincumbent Republican

Nicole Uhre-BalkN. Uhre-BalkUhre-Balk Democrat

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Curt MassieC. MassieMassieincumbent Republican

Phil JensenP. JensenJensenincumbent Republican

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Mike DerbyM. DerbyDerbyincumbent Republican

Heather BaxterH. BaxterBaxter Republican

Tina MulallyT. MulallyMulallyincumbent Republican

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Tony RandolphT. RandolphRandolphincumbent Republican

Eric EmeryE. EmeryEmeryincumbent Democrat

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Ron FrederickR. FrederickFrederick Republican

Rebecca ReimerR. ReimerReimerincumbent Republican

David ReisD. ReisReis Independent

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Carl J PetersenC. PetersenPetersen Democrat

Jana HuntJ. HuntHunt Republican

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Travis IsmayT. IsmayIsmay Republican

Uncontested



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South Dakotans in the NFL, Week 9

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South Dakotans in the NFL, Week 9


SIOUX FALLS — Two more former Jackrabbits have been added to South Dakota’s NFL roll call over the last two weeks.

Quarterback Chris Oladokun was added to the Chiefs’ practice squad, while former Jackrabbit tackle Garret Greenfield signed to the Giants practice squad.

Oladokun spent the previous two seasons in that same role with Kansas City, earning a pair of Super Bowl rings, but was released after preseason this year. Now he’s back with the Chiefs, behind perennial MVP-candidate Patrick Mahomes and North Dakota State alum Carson Wentz.

Greenfield, an All-American tackle at SDSU, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Seahawks, joined their practice squad, but was later released. He’s now getting a chance with the Giants.

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Meanwhile among the active former Jacks in the NFL, linebacker Christian Rozeboom continues to have a productive fourth season in the league. Rozeboom notched 11 tackles in Sunday’s overtime win over the Seahawks, the third time this season he’s reached double digits. He leads the Rams with 65 tackles on the season, which is good for 21st in the league overall.

Here’s how the rest of the NFL’s South Dakotans did in Week 9.

Jack Cochrane, LB, Kansas City, USD
Had one tackle in the Chiefs Monday night overtime win over Tampa Bay.

Isaiah Davis, RB, New York Jets, SDSU
Saw the field for 17 special teams plays in the Jets’ loss to the Texans on Thursday night.

Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia, SDSU/Britton-Hecla
Did not play due to injury.

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CJ Ham, FB, Minnesota, Augustana
Played 13 offensive snaps and 12 on special teams in the Vikings’ Sunday night win over the Colts.

Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay, SDSU/Timber Lake
Had four catches for 34 yards in the Packers’ loss to the Lions.

Mason McCormick, G, Pittsburgh, SDSU/SF Roosevelt
The Steelers were idle.

Trey Pipkins, G, LA Chargers, USF
Started and played all 57 offensive snaps for the Chargers in their win over the Browns.

Tip Reiman, TE, Arizona, SF O’Gorman
Started and played 29 snaps but did not record any stats in the Cardinals’ win over the Bears.

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Christian Rozeboom, LB, LA Rams, SDSU
Had 11 tackles in the Rams’ win over the Seahawks.

Pierre Strong, RB, Cleveland, SDSU
Had two carries for eight yards and two kickoff returns for 47 yards in the Browns’ loss to the Chargers.

On injured reserve
Dennis Gardeck, LB, Arizona, USF
Myles Harden, CB, Cleveland, USD

On practice squads
Kameron Cline, DL, Buffalo, USD
Garret Greenfield, OL, NY Giants, SDSU
Blake Larson, OL, LA Rams, Augsutana/Brandon Valley
Brock Mogensen, LB, Dallas, USD
Chris Oladokun, QB, KC Chiefs, SDSU
Isaiah Stalbird, LB, New Orleans, SDSU

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Matt Zimmer is a Sioux Falls native and longtime sports writer. He graduated from Washington High School where he played football, legion baseball and developed his lifelong love of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. After graduating from St. Cloud State University, he returned to Sioux Falls, and began a long career in amateur baseball and sports reporting. Email Matt at mzimmer@siouxfallslive.com.





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South Dakota women's basketball falls in season-opener to Saint Louis in overtime

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South Dakota women's basketball falls in season-opener to Saint Louis in overtime


VERMILLION – In a thrilling season-opener, South Dakota Women’s Basketball narrowly lost to Saint Louis 85-83 in overtime on Monday night.

The Coyotes trailed by double-digits in the second half, but a furious comeback kept the two teams tight to end the game. Grace Larkins hit a game-tying shot near the end of regulation to send the game to overtime, however, Saint Louis prevailed with a go-ahead basket with 6 seconds left in overtime. It ended up being the difference as USD couldn’t find the game-tying or winning shot.

The offense for both teams stalled to begin the second quarter. Neither team scored for over three minutes until the Billikens broke that streak with a field goal with 6:44 left to go in the first half. The shooting continued for the Coyotes for most of the second quarter, but a few late shots improved the shooting percentage to 23.5 percent.

The overall first-half shooting percentage was worse as the Coyotes finished the half with a 22.6 shooting percentage on 7-for-31 attempts and the Billikens went into the locker room with a 36-25 lead. The 3-point shooting was a huge struggle in the first half with only a 1-for-13 mark from behind the arc. Olivia Kieffer led USD with 10 points at the half.

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Out of the half, Saint Louis extended its lead with an immediate 7-0 run to go up 42-25 within the opening two minutes. Despite the early run, USD responded with a 12-2 run to bring the lead back down to single digits at 44-37 with four minutes left in the third quarter. The Coyote comeback continued as the lead continued to shrink and suddenly the lead was down to only three points at 50-47, but Saint Louis held a 52-47 lead at the end of the quarter.

The Coyotes stuck around in the fourth quarter and reduced the Billiken lead to one possession multiple times in the fourth quarter and were only down 60-59 with five minutes left in the game. Just a bit later, USD took a 62-60 lead with four minutes to go.

The two went back and forth in the final four minutes, but it was Saint Louis who held a 70-69 lead with under 30 seconds to go. Kieffer missed a potential go-ahead jumper with 19 seconds to go, but USD was able to get the ball back with 17 seconds left. However, a missed shot led to a Saint Louis free throw on the other end to make it 71-69. But Larkins came up clutch with a game-tying layup right before time expired.

Saint Louis raced out to a 79-73 lead in the overtime period, but USD wouldn’t go away with multiple 3s to make it 81-79 with a minute and a half to go. With 24 seconds left, the Coyotes trailed 83-81. Larkins did here thing once again with a game-tying basket with 18 seconds to go. However, the Billikens scored with six seconds left to make it 85-83 and the Coyotes were unable to find the tying shot.

For USD, Larkins finished the day with a team-high 27 points and also nabbed 13 rebounds for the double-double. Carley Duffney has a big night as well with 18 points and seven rebounds. For Saint Louis, Peyton Kennedy scored a team-high 25 points while Kennedy Calhoun scored 21 points.

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USD (0-1) will hit the road to play at Air Force on Friday, Nov. 8, while Saint Louis (1-0) will also be on the road at Drake on Thursday, Nov. 7.

Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “Mitchell Republic.” Often, the “Mitchell Republic” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.





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