VERMILLION, S.D. -- Led by a career-high 21 points from Shannon Daly, who was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, The University of South Dakota defeated Minnesota State University to earn the NCAA Division II North Central Region championship. USD will now move on to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history.

“There were two teams that scored a lot of points this year, and it comes down to defense, which for both teams was outstanding,” said USD head coach Chad Lavin. “Tonight it came down to who had the biggest run, and we were able to have that. Our defense is outstanding, they (USD players) tell me what they see is going on, and I tell them what I’m seeing and they go out and they get it done.”

Daly posted her career-best scoring effort on her ability to attack the basket. Of her nine made field goals on the night, six came on layups. She was 9-of-13 overall from the field, while USD shot 40.0 percent (22-of-55) from the floor.

“I looked for the gaps, they (Minnesota State) help out on defense, then they go back to their man which opens up the gaps,” said Daly. “They really try to take away the three point game, so we had to find other ways of scoring.”

Jenna Hoffman added 14 points and nine rebounds to USD’s totals. Her sister Jeana, who was named to the all-tournament team, posted 10 points and five rebounds.

Three players scored 11 points to lead Minnesota State in scoring. Alex Andrews, Heather Johnson and Tiffany Moe each scored 11 in the game. Those three players also pulled down five rebounds each.

South Dakota will now move on to the Elite Eight in Kearney, Neb. They will take on Washburn on Wednesday, March 26.