USD men vs. Minnesota-Duluth

Blizzard? What blizzard?

I made it to Vermillion for tonight’s USD vs. Minnesota-Duluth men’s basketball game. The showdown between the former conference foes pits the 5-5 Coyotes against the 8-4 Bulldogs.

The big story surrounding tonight’s game is the debut of USD’s Roman Gentry, the transfer from Division I Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He isn’t slated to start any time soon, and USD coach Dave Boots has said that he plans to work Gentry into the mix gradually.

UPDATE: Doesn’t look like Gentry is in uniform tonight. More on that later.

Tonight’s game is also the third of five in this home stand for the Coyotes. USD has already routed Chadron State (Dec. 6) and Dana College on Tuesday.

The Bulldogs — 3-1 in the NSIC — post two players in double figures, with big men Brian Sykora (15.4) and John Vaudreuil (14.3). At 6-foot-7 and 6-foot-8, respectively, these dudes will no doubt give the USD tandem of Steve Smith and Tyler Cain a significant challenge tonight.

USD starts Louie Krogman, Jesse Becker, Dylan Grimsley, Cain and Smith.

Duluth starts Jordan Schade, Steve Klass, Ron White (not of the Blue Collar variety), Sykora and Vaudreuil.

I’ll have periodic updates during the game.

— — —

USD has scored seven straight points to take a 15-6 lead with 14:10 to go in the first half.

For the Coyotes, Cain and Krogman each have four points, while Becker just hit a three-pointer in transition. Senior center Steve Smith, who has had an emotional week, has two points.

Becker jut hit another 3 and USD now leads 18-11 at the 12:39 mark. Already, this feels like an NCC-type game, very physical, intense and high-energy.

The Coyote lead is now 22-13 with 10:03 left in the half. Pretty decent crowd here tonight, which I suppose makes sense: This is as close to a conference game as USD has had so far (unless you count North Dakota and the other Great West teams).

At the third media timeout (under 8), USD leads 25-16. Duluth senior center John Vaudreuil already has 10 points in the paint. He has traditionally played well against the Coyotes. Speaking of the series, USD won both games last season.

Dylan Grimsley has hit four straight free throws (charity stripe?) to give USD a 32-16 lead with 5:13 to play. UMD’s Ryan Rasmussen has hit two straight buckets on nice plays, pulling the Bulldogs within 34-21.

Krogman just hit his third 3 of the game and USD leads 41-23 with under a minute left in the half. Dude just missed a three in transition, and the Bulldogs are unable to score before the buzzer.

HALF: USD 41, Duluth 23

Krogman leads USD with 10 points, while Grimsley and Cain have 8. For UMD, Vaudreuil has 11 points and seven rebounds. Despite leading by 18, USD is being out-rebounded 7-1 on the offensive glass.

U.Dance is on the court to entertain us during halftime. Lets just say, they’re in Christmas mode. Better keep typing, Jeremy.

— — —

Out of the gate, Vaudreuil has four more quick points, but USD leads 46-30.

Grimsley just hit a 3 and Coyotes call a timeout. Cain has five points in the first three minutes of the half. Coyotes already have three players in double figures, with Cain (13), Grimsley (11) and Krogman (10). USD had seven against Dana on Tuesday.

At the first media timeout, the Coyotes are ahead 49-30. Fairly low-scoring, but again, this definitely has the feel of an NCC game.

Duluth has picked it up on both ends, and now trails 54-39. Vaudreuil has 18 points and Brian Sykora has added 10. Both teams have had to work like crazy in this game so far. Grimsley just grabs an offensive board and puts in a basket plus a foul. USD coach Dave Boots likes it.

At the second media timeout, USD’s lead is now 57-39. The Coyotes have led since the very early going, but have had to work to hold off a very good Duluth team (one that is 3-1 in the tough NSIC).

Cain just connected on a massive dunk over a fallen defender, giving USD a 60-42 lead. I know this sounds obvious, but you can tell both teams really want this game. A Becker three rims out and UMD’s Ron White hits a running jumper. Cain hits another layup in the paint and now has 20 points.

Cain dunks another home and this crowd goes nuts. Duluth calls a timeout with USD ahead 64-45 at the 6:14 mark. Not that haven’t before, but the Coyotes have come to play tonight. The defense has been as intense as I’ve seen it this season (granted, this is the 3rd game I’ve covered of USD’s). FYI, Tyler Cain has 22 points, 15 rebounds, 4 blocks and 4 steals.

USD is up 68-49 at the under 4 deadball timeout. Cain hit another layup and has 24 points, but UMD’s Rasmussen hits a nice lefty runner to cut the deficit to 19.

A jumper from Becker puts all five USD starters in double figures for the second straight game. Coyotes lead 70-52 with under two minutes to play. Krogman hits a nice layup in traffic, is fouled and hits the free throw.

Krogman hits a fadeaway three, followed by a running jumper. Sykora of UMD hits a bucket ahead of the buzzer.

FINAL: USD 78, Duluth 56.

More later.