VERMILLION, S.D. - Points came fast and furious and in bunches as the University of South Dakota women's basketball team set a new, single-game scoring record in a 113-39 non-conference victory over Minnesota-Morris Saturday night in the DakotaDome. USD (4-2) broke the 1982 record of 110 points set against Metropolitan State (Nov. 26). Tonight's effort was the Coyotes' best offensive game to date this season. USD hit 43-of-85 (.506) shots from the field, 13-of-29 (.448) three-point field goals and 14-of-18 (.778) free throws.
Five USD players scored in double figures, led by sophomore forward Julia Frie with 20 points in just 19 minutes of work. Freshman Krista Orsack had a career-high 19 points along with five assists, five rebounds and two steals. Others scoring in double figures included sophomores Nicole Jaycox, with 12 points, and Amanda Iverson and Heather Nelson each adding 10.
From the get-go, USD came out firing as Frie hit a three-pointer eight seconds into the game, and the Coyotes jumped out to a 26-2 lead at the 12:14 mark. During that run, Frie had six points, and Jaycox hit two three-pointers. The lead grew to 34-6 on a lay-up by senior guard Kelly Koepp at the 7:10 mark of the first half. USD's margin was extended to 44-14 as Orsack hit a three pointer with 1:40 to play. A three-point basket by sophomore Gwen Meyer with nine seconds left in the half gave USD a 51-15 lead. While the Coyotes were shooting 43.9 percent (18-of-41) from the field in the first half, they also were playing solid defense. Minnesota-Morris could manage only seven field goals on 26 attempts (.269).
The second half was much like the first stanza, except USD shot even better. The Coyotes hit 25-of-44 (.568) shots as they continued to extend the lead. Leading 61-19, the Coyotes went on a 12-0 run to increase the lead to 75-19 at the 13:31 mark. USD led 81-25 with 10:09 to play and increased the margin to 92-29 with 7:07 left. A jumper by Meyer gave the Coyotes a 100-33 lead with 5:18 to play. All that was left for USD to do was break the 19-year, single-game scoring record set by the 1982-83 team that won the NCC title (under current USD head coach Chad Lavin, his first season with USD). A three-point basket by Orsack broke the record and gave the Coyotes a 113-37 lead with 41 seconds left. Two free throws by Minnesota-Morris closed out the scoring.
USD received strong performances from players throughout their lineup. Senior guard Kelly Gese had six points, two rebounds and seven assists. Junior Alissa Koronkiewicz had five points and 10 rebounds. Meyer had nine points and six rebounds while freshman Jodi Schroeder and Koepp each added eight points. Freshman Katie Pulford had six points and three rebounds. USD won the rebound battle 58-42.
For Minnesota-Morris, Rachel Beckman had 14 points and nine rebounds while Heidi Frederickson added 11 points. The Cougars hit just 15-of-67 (.224) shots and failed to hit a three-pointer on 13 attempts. They hit 9-of-15 (.600) free throws.
