Joe Ahlquist|Photographer

NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. (3.23.14)

This weekend was my first experience with the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.

It was also the University of South Dakota's first experience. So, it was my first time covering it, and I was covering a team's first NCAA Basketball Tournament experience.

USD ended up losing to Stanford 81 to 62, but they played a heck of a good game.

It was a pretty cool experience. From the press conference and first practice to the game. It was a good weekend.

Enough talk, though, enjoy some photos.

Thanks for looking. Many more photos can be seen here.

©Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader

Falls Park Drowning Memorial. (3.18.14)

Last week I had the privilege of photographing a memorial for two people who drowned in the Big Sioux River at Falls Park last Spring.

Madison Wallace, 16, and Lyle Eagle Tail, 28, died saving Wallace's younger brother, Garrett, after he had fallen into the river.

The memorial was very touching, and it was an honor to be a part of it.

Thanks for looking.

Arvol Looking Horse speaks during a memorial service for Lyle Eagle Tail and Madison Wallace on Friday, March 14, 2014, at Falls Overlook Cafe at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. Eagle Tail and Wallace, who died one year ago Friday, both drowned in the Big Sioux River at Falls Park while trying to save Madison's younger brother who survived. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Lower left corner from left, Joe Circle Bear, Scott Barta, Chuck Thuner Maker, Waylon LaPlante, Philip Allen and Brandon Iron Hawk perform an Honor Song during a memorial service for Lyle Eagle Tail and Madison Wallace on Friday, March 14, 2014, at Falls Overlook Cafe at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. Eagle Tail and Wallace, who died one year ago Friday, both drowned in the Big Sioux River at Falls Park while trying to save Madison's younger brother who survived. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

John Eagle speaks during a memorial service for Lyle Eagle Tail and Madison Wallace on Friday, March 14, 2014, at Falls Overlook Cafe at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. Eagle Tail and Wallace, who died one year ago Friday, both drowned in the Big Sioux River at Falls Park while trying to save Madison's younger brother who survived. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Joe Circle Bear speaks during a memorial service for Lyle Eagle Tail and Madison Wallace on Friday, March 14, 2014, at Falls Overlook Cafe at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. Eagle Tail and Wallace, who died one year ago Friday, both drowned in the Big Sioux River at Falls Park while trying to save Madison's younger brother who survived. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Tom Poor Bear, vice president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, speaks during a memorial service for Lyle Eagle Tail and Madison Wallace on Friday, March 14, 2014, at Falls Overlook Cafe at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. Eagle Tail and Wallace, who died one year ago Friday, both drowned in the Big Sioux River at Falls Park while trying to save Madison's younger brother who survived. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Memorial service attendees look on during a memorial service for Lyle Eagle Tail and Madison Wallace on Friday, March 14, 2014, at Falls Overlook Cafe at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. Eagle Tail and Wallace, who died one year ago Friday, both drowned in the Big Sioux River at Falls Park while trying to save Madison's younger brother who survived. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Sioux Falls Fire Chief Jim Sideras looks on during a memorial service for Lyle Eagle Tail and Madison Wallace on Friday, March 14, 2014, at Falls Overlook Cafe at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. Eagle Tail and Wallace, who died one year ago Friday, both drowned in the Big Sioux River at Falls Park while trying to save Madison's younger brother who survived. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Scott German, of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, speaks during a memorial service for Lyle Eagle Tail and Madison Wallace on Friday, March 14, 2014, at Falls Overlook Cafe at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. Eagle Tail and Wallace, who died one year ago Friday, both drowned in the Big Sioux River at Falls Park while trying to save Madison's younger brother who survived. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Memorial service attendees shake hands and offer condolences to members of Lyle Eagle Tail's family, Sioux Falls first responders and city officials, including Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether, during a memorial service for Lyle Eagle Tail and Madison Wallace on Friday, March 14, 2014, at Falls Overlook Cafe at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. Eagle Tail and Wallace, who died one year ago Friday, both drowned in the Big Sioux River at Falls Park while trying to save Madison's younger brother who survived. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether speaks during a memorial service for Lyle Eagle Tail and Madison Wallace on Friday, March 14, 2014, at Falls Overlook Cafe at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. Eagle Tail and Wallace, who died one year ago Friday, both drowned in the Big Sioux River at Falls Park while trying to save Madison's younger brother who survived. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Memorial service attendees shake hands and offer condolences to members of Lyle Eagle Tail's family, Sioux Falls first responders and city officials, including Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether, center, during a memorial service for Lyle Eagle Tail and Madison Wallace on Friday, March 14, 2014, at Falls Overlook Cafe at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. Eagle Tail and Wallace, who died one year ago Friday, both drowned in the Big Sioux River at Falls Park while trying to save Madison's younger brother who survived. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Coyotes Win Championship. (3.11.14)

Today I spent six hours covering the Summit League Tournament Championship women's basketball game between the University of South Dakota Coyotes and the University of Denver Pioneers.

The Coyotes defeated the Pioneers 82-71, earning USD their first NCAA tournament berth.

I've only covered the Coyote's a couple times this season, and I don't know if I'll be covering any more games, but I'm glad I was there today.

I came away with some photos that I'm proud of.

And, now, I've capped off my first Summit League Tournament experience. By the numbers that was, three days of coverage, four basketball games, 105 photos filed, countless photos not filed, and two sore knees. Oh wait, and one good time.

Here are some of my favorites from today's championship game. Enjoy and thanks for looking.

Many more photos can be seen here. Don't forget to check out our other coverage of the tournament.

SDSU Army ROTC Cadet, Eric Flynn, waits to present the American Flag for the National Anthem before the women's championship game at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD's Margaret McCloud (30) goes up for a shot over Denver defenders during the first half of the women's championship game at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD was up 33-32 over Denver after the first half. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Denver's Alison Janecek (42) goes up for a shot during the first half of the women's championship game against USD at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD was up 33-32 over Denver after the first half. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD head coach Amy Williams jumps up and down during the first half of the women's championship game against Denver at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD was up 33-32 over Denver after the first half. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD's Nicole Seekamp (35) is fouled by Denver's Alison Janecek (42) during the first half of the women's championship game at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD was up 33-32 over Denver after the first half. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD's Polly Harrington (33) goes up for a shot as Denver's Alison Janecek (42) defends during the first half of the women's championship game at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD was up 33-32 over Denver after the first half. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD pep band member David Schelske sports USD-themed face paint while performing before the women's championship game at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD defeated Denver 82-71. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD's Nicole Seekamp (35) drives past Denver's Alison Janecek (42) during the second half of the women's championship game at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD defeated Denver 82-71. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD's Tia Hemiller (4) drives past Denver's Jordan Johnston (11) during the second half of the women's championship game at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD defeated Denver 82-71. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Denver's Desiree Hunter pulls down a rebound over USD's Polly Harrington during the second half of the women's championship game at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD defeated Denver 82-71. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD's Nicole Seekamp (35), Lisa Loeffler (44) and Margaret McCloud (30) jog off the court at the end of the first half of the women's championship game against Denver at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD was up 33-32 over Denver after the first half. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD's Polly Harrington (33) goes up for a shot over Denver defenders during the second half of the women's championship game at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD defeated Denver 82-71. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD's Raeshel Contreras (23) takes a shot as Denver's Morgan Van Riper-Rose (10) defends during the second half of the women's championship game at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD defeated Denver 82-71. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD's Nicole Seekamp (35) drives past Denver's Kailey Edwards (14) during the second half of the women's championship game at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD defeated Denver 82-71. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD fans root for their team during the second half of the women's championship game against Denver at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD defeated Denver 82-71. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD's Raeshel Contreras (23) drives past Denver's Jordan Johnston (11) during the second half of the women's championship game at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD defeated Denver 82-71. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD fans from left, Morgan Herbster, 15, her sister, Leah Herbster, 9, and their mom Kelly herbster cheer for their team during the first half of the women's championship game against Denver at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD was up 33-32 over Denver after the first half. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Denver head coach Kerry Cremeans reacts during the second half of the women's championship game against USD at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD defeated Denver 82-71. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD head coach Amy Williams talks with her team during a timeout during the first half of the women's championship game at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD was up 33-32 over Denver after the first half. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

A USD cheerleader cheers for her team during the first half of the women's championship game against Denver at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD was up 33-32 over Denver after the first half. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD pep band member, David Schelske, pumps up the crowd during the second half of the women's championship game against Denver at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD defeated Denver 82-71. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

The USD Coyote claps his hands during the second half of the women's championship game against Denver at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD defeated Denver 82-71. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD's Bridget Arens (22) and Margaret McCloud hug after their 82-71 win over Denver during the women's championship game at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD players react after their 82-71 win over Denver during the women's championship game at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

USD's Lisa Loeffler cuts down a piece of net after their 82-71 victory over Denver of the women's championship game at the Summit League Conference tournament Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

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NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. (3.23.14)

Falls Park Drowning Memorial. (3.18.14)

Coyotes Win Championship. (3.11.14)

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