VERMILLION, S.D. - Led by a career-high 16 points from sophomore Amanda Iverson, The University of South Dakota (8-8, 3-6 in the NCC) women's basketball team broke a three-game losing streak with a 72-50 North Central Conference victory over Morningside (3-14, 0-9 in the NCC) before 2,158 at the DakotaDome on Friday night.

Iverson hit seven of nine field goals, mostly from within 10 feet, and made two of three free throws while grabbing eight rebounds in her best game as a Coyote. Four other Coyotes scored in double figures, including 14 points from Krista Orsack, who hit four of seven three-point baskets. Senior point guard Kelly Gese had 11 points, five assists and four rebounds on a night when she moved into 10th place on the Coyotes all-time scoring chart. Gese now has 1,136 point for her career, passing former Coyote Natalee Heisler, who scored 1,132 points (1992-96). Sophomore forward Julia Frie added 11 points and five rebounds while Heather Nelson had eight points.

South Dakota controlled the game from the outset, jumping to an 11-6 lead at the 16:09 mark as Orsack knocked home a three-point basket. A three-point basket by Frie gave the Coyotes a 16-6 lead at the 14:30 mark. A basket by Erica Thein, who had 10 points on the night. The score drew the Mustangs within 16-10 at the 13:28 mark. The lead fluctuated between eight and 10 points until late in the first half, when Iverson keyed a Coyote 10-4 run. She scored seven of the Coyotes final 10 points of the half, including a basket and free throw for a 31-19 lead with 3:42 to play in the half. Another Iverson basket made it 38-21 with 1:39 to play in the half. Morningside scored the final four points of the half on a jumper by Katie Lokken and a lay-up by Thein.

The Coyotes made 14 of 36 first-half field goals for 38.9 percent. They were four of eight from three point range for 50 percent and six of seven free throws for 85.7 percent. Iverson had 11 points and Orsack had nine points to lead South Dakota. Morningside hit 12 of 20 field goals for 41.4 percent but did not hit a three-pointer in six attempts. They were just one of three from the free throw line. Thein had eight points in the opening half to lead the Mustangs.

The second half was all South Dakota. The Coyotes jumped to a 44-25 lead with 16:43 as Gese connected on a jumper. A putback by Frie off an offensive rebound gave South Dakota a 50-27 lead. She then she scored on a lay-up for a 52-27 lead with 13:46 to play. South Dakota went ahead 56-30 with 10:57 to play on two foul shots by Nelson. A lay-up off an assist from Gese moved South Dakota to a 58-34 lead with 8:04 to play. Another pair of foul shots by Nelson gave South Dakota a 68-37 (5:04). Later Nelson scored on a jumper as South Dakota moved ahead 72-41with 3:11 left in the game.

South Dakota hit 25 of 68 field goals for 36.8 percent and was five of 19 from the three-point line for 26.3 percent. The Coyotes hit 17 of 22 free throws by 77.3 percent. Morningside made 20 of 62 field goals for 32.3 percent but failed to hit a three-pointer in 12 attempts. They hit 10 of 19 free throws. Bolton led the Mustangs with 11 points and she had six rebounds. Trish Martin added eight points and seven rebounds.

The Coyotes won the rebound battle, 50-49. The Coyote win improved Chad Lavin's record at South Dakota to 108-76 (.586). He is 283-238 (.543) on his career.