MANHATTAN, Kan. (Interstat) — In a stunning upset that defied all statistical projections, the South Dakota Coyotes edged the Kansas State Wildcats 72-71 on a last-second three-pointer in a nonconference women’s basketball thriller Thursday night at Bramlage Coliseum.

With one second remaining and trailing by two, South Dakota’s Patience Williams sank a three-point shot off an inbound pass from Alyssa Bartlett, silencing a crowd of 2,996 and capping a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback. The victory kept the Coyotes’ perfect season intact, moving them to 4-0, while handing the Wildcats their first loss, dropping them to 3-1.

The game’s conclusion was a microcosm of the entire contest—a gritty, back-and-forth affair defined by defense, turnovers, and a stark contrast in offensive philosophies. South Dakota, despite a lower shooting percentage from the field, relied on timely three-point shooting and capitalized on Kansas State’s mistakes. The Coyotes connected on nine three-pointers compared to just three for the Wildcats and scored 21 points off 19 Kansas State turnovers.

The Wildcats, conversely, lived at the free-throw line, attempting 39 foul shots and making 32. However, their inability to score from beyond the arc and a series of costly turnovers down the stretch ultimately proved their undoing.

South Dakota established an early lead, closing the first quarter ahead 16-15 and extending it to 34-28 by halftime. The Coyotes’ defense was tenacious in the first half, but the game turned dramatically in the third quarter.

Kansas State erupted after the break, outscoring South Dakota 25-13 in the period to seize a 53-47 lead. The Wildcats’ run was fueled by Taryn Sides, who scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and a relentless attack that drew fouls and generated points from the charity stripe.

The final quarter became a frantic battle. South Dakota’s offense, which had gone cold in the third, roared back to life with a 25-point outburst. The Coyotes methodically chipped away at the deficit, with key contributions from across the roster.

Tori Schlagel led the Coyotes with 15 points, including three shots from long range. Jenna Hopp was a force on both ends of the floor, adding 11 points, six rebounds and three blocks, including a critical swat in the final two minutes. Josie Hill provided a vital spark off the bench with 13 points, while Molly Joyce and Alyssa Bartlett each chipped in 10 and nine points, respectively, with Bartlett also dishing out three assists.

For Kansas State, Sides’ 19-point performance was central to their effort. Gina Garcia facilitated the offense with 14 points and six assists, while Ramiya White added 12 points off the bench. Tess Heal finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.

With under a minute to play, the Wildcats held a narrow lead. After a series of free throws, Kansas State’s Gina Garcia sank two foul shots with one minute left to put her team ahead 70-68. Following a South Dakota turnover, the Coyotes were forced to foul again. Taryn Sides made one of two free throws with eight seconds left, extending the lead to 71-68 and setting the stage for the final sequence.

South Dakota called a timeout to advance the ball. Out of the stoppage, Alyssa Bartlett found Patience Williams open on the wing for the game-winning three-pointer, completing the upset against a Wildcats team that national statistical models had given a 99.2 percent probability of winning just moments before tip-off.

The Coyotes look to continue their unbeaten streak Sunday at Idaho State. Kansas State will aim to rebound at home Sunday against Texas A&M.