"They played me that way the last two times," Jones said. "Their coach (Dick Krauth) was yelling in my ear each time down the court that I can't shoot. It was kind of nice to make some shots."
Jones certainly didn't back down from the challenge. Her career-high 18 points carried UND to an 84-62 win over Augustana on Saturday night in the semifinal round of the North Central Region women's basketball tournament at Hyslop Sports Center.
The win advances UND to today's 6 p.m. title game against North Dakota State, which beat Minnesota-Duluth in the other semifinal game. The region winner advances to the Elite Eight national Division II tournament March 17-20 in Pine Bluff, Ark.
Jones' shooting was critical, especially in the first half. The Sioux struggled from the field, making only 33 percent of their shots. Still, the Sioux led 43-35 at the break, thanks largely to Jones' 11 points and Katie Richards' 13.
"Tonia's role on this team is not necessarily to shoot," UND coach Gene Roebuck said. "Her role is to get everyone involved in the offense or attack. I think Tonia played well."
In two prior UND wins against Augie, Sioux center Jenny Crouse was overpowering. The Vikings knew they couldn't match up with the North Central Conference's career scoring leader. So they tried to limit Crouse's damage by double-teaming her, leaving Jones open.
"Sometimes, you have to pick you poison," Krauth said. "(Jones) was the one player who we thought would be a question mark in shooting. We decided to make her beat us. That was the chance you have to take."
Jones, who was 7 of 15 from the field, accepted the Vikings' challenge early.
She scored a fast-break basket and hit a 3-pointer in UND's 10-0 run to open the game.
UND, however, could not pull away from Augie until the midway mark of the second half. The Vikings were successful in slowing UND's transition game, and they also controlled the tempo at times against the high-scoring Sioux.
"It was a game where I felt we had some chances," Krauth said. "Had we cashed in on opportunities, we could have set the stage for an upset."
But UND was on center stage for a good portion of the second half. UND finally shook the Vikings with their transition game. A 16-3 UND run, highlighted by two Richards' long-range baskets, gave the Sioux a 68-46 advantage with 8:32 left.
"In the first half, we played well in spurts," Roebuck said. "In the second half, spurts got us the cushion we needed. Both halves had their moments and dead spots.
"But Augustana took some things away from us and challenged us with some defenses."
The Sioux regained their shooting touch in the second half, making 15 of 32 (47 percent). They never relinquished their aggressive rebounding, however. The Sioux, led by Crouse's 18 rebounds, owned a 63-48 advantage on the boards.
"It's impossible to rebound (against Crouse)," said Augustana's Kari Stratton, who led the Vikings with 19 points. "Coach says box out and believe it or not we do try. I won't miss her (Crouse)."
Richards led the Sioux with 21 points while Crouse and Jaime Pudenz added 14 and 11 points, respectively, to complement Jones' 18. For the 27-1 Sioux, the game couldn't come quick enough.
"We were ready to go," Richards said. "It really was difficult to sit and watch the games (Friday night) when you want to be out there playing."
The Sioux showed they were ready with their 10-0 run to start the game.
And Jones was as ready as anyone. She also knows the challenge to shoot may exist again tonight against NDSU.
"If they play off of me, I have to accept the challenge, "Jones said.
| UND (84) | |||
| Name | FG | FT | Points |
| Pudenz | 4-10 | 0-0 | 11 |
| Jones | 7-15 | 3-4 | 18 |
| Hoffner | 0-4 | 1-3 | 1 |
| Winger | 3-10 | 1-4 | 7 |
| Carroll | 2-5 | 1-3 | 5 |
| Richards | 6-17 | 7-7 | 21 |
| Crouse | 6-11 | 2-3 | 14 |
| Leno | 2-6 | 2-2 | 7 |
| Totals | 30-78 | 17-26 | 84 |
| Augustana (62) | |||
| Stratton | 7-15 | 4-6 | 19 |
| Meyer | 5-7 | 6-7 | 18 |
| Janssen | 4-22 | 2-2 | 10 |
| Keegan | 0-1 | 0-2 | 0 |
| Reidburn | 0-3 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Oltmanns | 2-6 | 2-5 | 6 |
| Tendler | 3-7 | 2-3 | 8 |
| Larson | 0-1 | 1-2 | 1 |
| Schultz | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Johnson | 0-3 | 0-1 | 0 |
| Totals | 21-66 | 17-28 | 62 |