WOMEN'S NCAA DIVISION II PLAYOFFS

South Dakota 61, Minnesota State Mankato 49: The host Coyotes limited Mankato to 21 second-half points as they rallied to the victory in the championship game. The Coyotes (31-1) outscored the Mavericks 34-21 in the second half; they advance to the NCAA II Elite Eight next week in Kearney, Neb. Shannon Daly's 21 points led the Coyotes. Alex Andrews, Tiffany Moe and Heather Johnson each scored 11 points for the Mavericks (23-9).

Winona State will play host to Northern State in the championship game at 7 p.m. in Winona. It is the fourth game this season between the two teams. Winona State (34-1) has won all three earlier meetings. The winner will advance to the NCAA II Championships in Springfield, Mass., next week. Winona State has played in the past two national championship games.

HS: Roseville

Sophomore guard: The 5-6 Beggin leads the Lobos in minutes (37.4 mpg), assists (3.9) and steals (1.6). The New Mexico floor-leader is also averaging 10.9 points a game.

AMANDA NISLEIT

HS: Woodbury

Junior forward: The 6-foot Nieleit has started 27 games for the Cyclones, averaging 6.1 points and 4.7 rebounds. She's an excellent outside shooter, hitting 36.8 percent of her three-point attempts (28 of 76).

HS: Cannon Falls

Sophomore forward: Cory is one of the top reserves on a deep Nebraska team, averaging 9.3 points and 4.5 rebounds in 19.1 minutes. Cory, 6-2, is Nebraska's third-leading scorer.

HS: Osseo

Senior forward: The 6-2 senior starts, but is essentially a role player for the Hawkeyes, averaging 4.6 points and 5.0 rebounds. But she hit the game-winning basket in both victories over the Gophers this season.

HS: Fairmont

Sophomore forward: Malo, 6-3, is a reserve frontcourt player for Vandy. She's appeared in 20 games, averaging 6.3 minutes, 2.2 points and 1.5 rebounds. She's shooting 53.6 percent from the field (15 of 28).