South Dakota
Zimmer: By snapping losing streak to South Dakota State, USD women shake up Summit League race
VERMILLION — Well, it’s really a rivalry again.
The USD Coyotes had risen to the top of Summit League women’s basketball alongside South Dakota State early this decade, but fallen from that perch over the last few years.
Coming into Saturday’s I-29 clash the Coyotes had lost seven in a row to the Jackrabbits, their last regular season win coming on Jan. 8, 2022 in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
That streak ended in front of an announced crowd of 3,060 that was clearly craving a win in this series, and behind the performance of a group of players who have mostly had nothing to do with the seven-game streak but seemed bursting at the laces to finally experience it.
The final was USD 73, SDSU 54, a score that left little room for excuse-making. The Yotes didn’t just beat the Jacks, they whipped them.
“We had four (transfer) seniors who had only one shot at this, to be able to play in this rivalry game at home, and they capitalized on it,” said Carrie Eighmey, USD’s second-year coach. “They played great. Our whole team played great. There were some moments where the energy was so great that I was trying to make sure our team was staying composed and locked in, and they didn’t need my help.”
Matt Zimmer/Sioux Falls Live
Angelina Robles transferred to USD from Denver, another Summit League school, so she knew about the rivalry without having been in it. She made sure her debut was an explosive one, hitting 6-of-7 3-pointers and scoring a game-high 25 points as USD built a 32-30 halftime lead and then outscored the Jacks 41-24 after the break.
“It felt awesome,” Robles said. “I talked about this with Coach in the spring when I was being recruited here, how much it means to be a Yote and playing against what was the top team in the Summit League. So it just feels great. And it came down to preparation and we just won.”
The Yotes (17-6, 7-2) had built up confidence with a strong first half of their season. An early-season win over Kansas State suggested they were markedly improved after going 11-20 last year. But fans and observers were still waiting for a ‘prove-it’ win. This one certainly qualifies.
Matt Zimmer/Sioux Falls Live
“I think it just goes to show how hard we’ve been working this entire time,” said Yotes forward Elise Turrubiates, who had 19 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals in the win. “I know we’ve been counted out a few times by other people, and it feels good to come out and show them what we’re made of and that we’re here to stay.”
It also raises questions about the Jackrabbits. Their loss to North Dakota State earlier this month snapped their 67-game Summit League winning streak, but certainly didn’t feel like any reason to panic, largely because this year’s Bison look legit. USD now appears to be as well, while the Jacks look suddenly vulnerable. They had no real energy on Saturday, not looking like a team eager to spoil a home crowd’s rivalry fun.
And worse, while senior post Brooklyn Meyer was her usual dominant self, scoring a game-high 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting, she didn’t get much help from her teammates. Madison Mathiowetz had 10 points, but the whole rest of the team mustered a mere 17. The Jacks were 4-of-23 on 3-pointers and had just five assists. The only other teams this year to hold them to as few points as their 54 on Saturday were North Carolina, Duke and Texas.
Matt Zimmer/Sioux Falls Live
“We just look like we were kind of a step behind in most things,” said Jacks coach Aaron Johnston. “So we’ll figure out if we’ve got to continue to change some things so we can be a little more competitive, and also figure out a way to compete a little bit harder. Those things have to happen. I’m very disappointed in how we played, but we’ve got to pick ourselves up and figure out a way to improve a little bit here as we get to the last month of the season.”
SDSU’s players had never lost to a Summit League opponent coming into this season. Losing to NSDU gave them a taste of what that feels like, and now the Yotes have sent them a clear message. It’s not going to be easy anymore.
“We can’t just show up and win games,” Meyer said. “We have to actually play our best game, and I think that’s a big part of it. Play as hard as we can and execute things that we want to execute, and I feel like it’s….I hate to see this kind of outcome, but yeah, we’re going to use it going forward.”
USD could do little to stop Meyer on Saturday, but few teams can. By taking away everyone else, the Coyotes may have stumbled onto a good strategy in making SDSU look ordinary.
Matt Zimmer/Sioux Falls Live
“You look at a lot of their stat sheets at end of games, and you’ve got four or five kids that just hit you all over the place,” Eighmey said. “Because Brooklyn is — she’s not just a great scorer. She makes her teammates better. She’s a really good passer, and so I think you can’t — you need to be overly concerned about her, but you can’t put all of your focus on just her and trying to eliminate her scoring. Otherwise, everybody scores.”
For his part, Johnston didn’t sound worried that his team had been exposed. He said the lack of support for Meyer cost them in this particular game, but that his roster remains talented enough for that not to be an issue most nights.
At the same time, he acknowledged that a few players are not contributing all that they’re capable of. If they don’t begin to, SDSU could be watching the NCAA tournament from home for the first time since 2022.
Matt Zimmer/Sioux Falls Live
NDSU now has a two-game lead in the Summit League race. The Jacks and Yotes are essentially tied for second. And the Jacks still have to go to Fargo.
“We’ll regroup and just figure out what the best buttons, I guess, to push or how to influence or how to help support,” Johnston said. “But they’re trying hard. We weren’t competitive in this game, but we’re trying hard. We’re having a good year. Had a couple losses. Don’t feel good. It’s a little unusual. I get all that. They’re trying hard. They care an awful lot. They want to do well. We just had a few games this year where we just quite haven’t had it. I don’t want to say it’s all them. (The players) got to take responsibility. I think (the coaches) got to figure out how to help them a little more. They’ve got to meet us there and I think we’ll be in a good place.”
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.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 8, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from July 8 drawing
12-29-37-43-55, Powerball: 18, Power Play: 4
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from July 8 drawing
17-26-31-32-37, Star Ball: 01, ASB: 02
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Dakota Cash numbers from July 8 drawing
07-11-18-31-33
Check Dakota Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 8 drawing
16-18-43-48-50, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
- Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
- Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.
When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.
LARCHWOOD, Iowa (KIWA) – A Tea, South Dakota man has been arrested on a felony domestic abuse charge after an incident near Larchwood.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the Lyon County Clerk of Court’s Office by the Iowa State Patrol, 45-year-old Beau Christensen of Tea is accused of assaulting his girlfriend in their hotel room at Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort near Larchwood. He was arrested on Wednesday, July 8.
In his statement, the state trooper who filed the report says Christensen put his hands around the victim’s neck. The victim stated she could not breathe while this was happening.
Christensen was charged with domestic abuse assault – impeding air or blood flow, a class D felony. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana.
He faces a preliminary hearing on Friday, July 10.
At last report, Christensen remained in the Lyon County Jail in Rock Rapids in lieu of a $6000 bond.
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BROOKINGS, S.D. – Instead of boarding airplanes or planning weeklong vacations, many South Dakota families are spending summer weekends closer to home, filling festivals, community events and family attractions that offer affordable ways to make memories together.
That trend is showing up across the state, according to South Dakota tourism officials. And organizers of many local events say they’ve watched it evolve over decades.
“We did re-coin that term ‘staycation’ again this year,” said Shari Budahl Avery, publicity chair for the 55-year-old Brookings Summer Arts Festival. “If things are a little tight but you want to get away for a day, we can provide that experience.”
Families are redefining summer travel
Travel South Dakota has reported that many travelers are choosing more affordable destinations, taking shorter trips and staying closer to home because of continued economic uncertainty. The department said South Dakota is well positioned because many visitors already travel by car from nearby states.
According to the department, 58% of visitors travel within 150 miles of home, and affordability, scenic beauty and family experiences remain among the state’s strongest attractions.
Travel South Dakota reports that visitors rate the state highly for affordability and family experiences, with 87% saying they would recommend South Dakota to others and 90% planning to return.
Shawn Steward, public affairs manager for AAA South Dakota, said travelers look for ways to make summer vacations fit their finances rather than canceling them altogether.
“People still want to travel,” Steward said in an interview with South Dakota News Watch. “They’re just making different choices.”
Steward said many families are adjusting by taking shorter trips, traveling by car instead of flying or choosing destinations closer to home, trends that align with what tourism officials and local event organizers are seeing across South Dakota.
Local events become summer destinations
Budahl Avery said those statewide trends match what festival organizers have observed for years.
“We’re kind of dead center in a pretty good population center,” she said. “People can come on what one friend from Texas called a ‘tank trip’ – somewhere you can drive on one tank of gas and get home.”
The two-day festival features about 178 juried artists, live entertainment, children’s activities, food vendors and historical demonstrations. Budahl Avery said the goal is to create an experience where multiple generations can spend time together without needing an expensive vacation.
Affordable, convenient entertainment
During a recent stop in Brookings, the Cardin International Circus drew families from across the region. Ringmaster and comedian Rulito Videla said attendance varies from city to city, but he believes many families are looking for affordable experiences closer to home.
“If they are staying home, support your local events,” Videla said. “The circus is family-oriented entertainment. You create memories.”
Visitors interviewed in Brookings described making similar choices.
Erica Quam said her family often prefers several smaller outings over one major vacation.
“We live right near Brookings,” Quam said. “It’s close, there were some coupons that made it more affordable, and it’s just a fun, easy activity.”
Sienna Vanmeveren also chose to stay closer to home this summer to save money.
“It’s easier than traveling somewhere,” she said, adding that she would likely travel more if finances allowed.
Not every family is changing its travel habits.
Sviatlana Senchanka said her family recently completed a road trip from South Dakota to California and continues to spend time outdoors at local lakes. She said work schedules determine when her family travels more than travel costs.
For Budahl Avery, however, the value of community events extends beyond economics.
“What keeps families coming back?” she said. “Tradition. Joy. Making memories.”
Whether families travel across the country or simply across town, organizers and visitors alike say a memorable summer doesn’t always require going far from home.
South Dakota News Watch is an independent nonprofit. Read, subscribe for free and donate at sdnewswatch.org. Amina Aidarkhanova received the 2026 Jeffrey B. Nelson Investigative Journalism Endowed Internship and the Chuck Raasch and Sandy Johnson Scholarship from the SDSU Foundation. Contact: amina.aidarkhanova@sdnewswatch.org.
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