SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Interstat) — In a grinding, defensive-minded Summit League tournament quarterfinal defined more by grit than grace, the Omaha Mavericks methodically pulled away from the South Dakota Coyotes for a 76-62 victory on Friday night at the Elmen Center.

The win, which avenged two regular-season losses to the Coyotes, advanced Omaha to the semifinal round and squared both teams’ records at 16-16, ending South Dakota’s season.

The game’s decisive stretch was not a singular explosive run, but a sustained second-half effort built on defensive discipline and opportunistic scoring. Leading 34-31 at halftime in a contest where both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm, the Mavericks tightened their grip after the break. They held South Dakota to an identical 31 points in the second half while steadily expanding their own lead behind the scoring of Ja’Sean Glover and Lance Waddles.

The most important sequence of the game came midway through the second half, with Omaha protecting a narrow lead. Following a media timeout with 7:51 remaining and Omaha ahead 48-46, the Mavericks embarked on a critical 11-3 run over the next four minutes. The surge was fueled by defense and free throws. Glover, the game’s leading scorer, drew fouls and converted at the line, hitting four consecutive free throws during the stretch. Julian Margrave capped the run with a three-pointer assisted by Glover, pushing the Omaha advantage to 59-49 with 3:54 to play.

South Dakota, which had relied on Vince Buzelis and Silas Bennion for perimeter scoring, could not mount a response. The Coyotes went scoreless for over three minutes during Omaha’s key run and never cut the deficit below seven points again. The Mavericks sealed the game at the foul line, finishing 15 of 19 on free throws, including 11 of 13 in the second half.

The statistical story underscored a game won through efficiency and ball security rather than flashy playmaking. Both teams finished with 65 possessions, but Omaha’s offensive rating of 116.9 dwarfed South Dakota’s mark of 94.7. The Mavericks shot 45.8% from the field compared to the Coyotes’ 31.3%. Remarkably, the game featured only five combined assists, with Omaha recording three and South Dakota two, highlighting the physical, isolation-heavy nature of the contest.

Ja’Sean Glover led all scorers with 25 points for Omaha, adding three assists and a block. Lance Waddles provided crucial support with 18 points. For South Dakota, Vince Buzelis finished with 16 points, three assists and a block, while Jesse Mcintosh added 14 points and Silas Bennion scored 11.

The first half set the tone for a defensive battle. The teams combined to miss their first 11 field goal attempts before South Dakota’s Jesse Mcintosh finally broke the seal with a layup nearly three minutes into the game. Omaha built a small lead behind early three-pointers from Waddles, but South Dakota stayed close, tying the game at 20-20 on a Bennion three-pointer with 6:52 left in the half. The Mavericks took their three-point lead into the break after a late three-pointer from Waddles.

Omaha’s victory flipped the script from the teams’ last meeting just 10 days prior, when South Dakota won 89-72 in Vermillion. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Omaha entered with a 59.5% probability to win and covered the pregame spread of -2.5. The total score of 138 fell well under the over/under line of 151.

The Mavericks now face a quick turnaround, meeting North Dakota State in a semifinal matchup on Saturday, also at the Elmen Center.