BREAKING NEWS: USD Coyotes Women’s Basketball Team Faces an Unexpected Setback Following Loss to Oral Roberts, as Head Coach Announces Serious Issue During Practice
In a surprising and concerning turn of events, the University of South Dakota (USD) Coyotes women’s basketball team is dealing with more than just the sting of a season-ending loss
. Following their 70-50 defeat to Oral Roberts in the Summit League Tournament quarterfinals, Head Coach Kayla Karius revealed a serious internal issue that occurred during the final practice session before the game—an incident that may have significantly impacted the team’s performance and morale.
Speaking in a post-game press conference, Coach Karius addressed what she described as a “difficult and emotional moment” for the entire squad. According to her, just a day before the tournament matchup, the team experienced a major disruption during practice when a key starter reportedly collapsed due to an undisclosed medical condition. The practice was immediately halted, and the player was rushed for medical evaluation. While the team has not officially confirmed the player’s identity or medical status, Coach Karius emphasized that the health and well-being of her players remain the top priority.
“It was a moment that shook all of us,” she said. “Basketball is what brings us together, but at the end of the day, we’re a family. When one of us is hurting, we all feel it.”
Sources close to the program suggest the incident deeply affected the players’ mental state heading into their matchup against Oral Roberts. The Coyotes, who entered the tournament as underdogs, looked disjointed and emotionally flat throughout the game. They struggled to find rhythm offensively, shooting just 31% from the field and committing several uncharacteristic turnovers. Though they managed to keep the game within reach during the first half, the second half saw Oral Roberts pull away with a dominant 20-6 run in the third quarter.
“It’s not an excuse for the outcome,” Coach Karius continued, “but it’s part of the context. Our minds weren’t fully on the game—and understandably so.”
The timing of the announcement has left fans, alumni, and supporters both concerned and empathetic. Social media has seen an outpouring of support from across the Summit League and beyond, with messages wishing the affected player a speedy recovery and praising the team’s courage under difficult circumstances.
The incident not only sheds light on the challenges student-athletes face behind the scenes but also opens a broader conversation about mental resilience and support in collegiate sports. The USD athletic department has since announced that counseling and mental health services have been made available to all team members, and an internal review is being conducted to ensure the best measures are in place moving forward.
As for the team’s future, the Coyotes will now head into the offseason with both uncertainty and determination. Despite finishing the season with an 11-21 record, there were bright spots in the development of younger players and flashes of cohesion that suggest a more promising 2025-2026 campaign ahead.
Coach Karius, who has been with the program since 2022, reassured fans and players alike: “We’ll regroup, we’ll heal, and we’ll grow from this. That’s what teams do. I’m incredibly proud of how our players handled themselves in the face of adversity.”
For now, the focus remains on recovery and reflection. With the dust still settling on the season, one thing is clear—the bond within the USD Coyotes women’s basketball team has been tested, but not broken. And in that strength, they will find the foundation for what comes next.
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