VERMILLION, S.D. -- The University of South Dakota women's basketball team (4-4) turned up the defensive pressure and cruised to an 85-30 nonconference win over Minnesota-Morris (0-9) on Saturday night before 650 in attendance at the DakotaDome.

South Dakota rolled to a 50-4 halftime lead, limiting Minnesota-Morris to 11.1 percent shooting and just two field goals on 18 attempts. Overall, the Coyotes limited the Cougars to 26.7 percent shooting (12-45).

Minnesota Morris hit just six of 23 three-point field goals and attempted just one free throw all night. The Coyotes had 24 steals, including 16 in the first half, and forced the visitors into 28 turnovers. The Coyotes also had four blocked shots. Meanwhile the Coyotes hit 34 of 75 field goals for 45.3 percent, including 10 of 33 three-point field goals for 30.3 percent. The Coyotes converted seven of 11 free throws. South Dakota set a school record for points allowed as they held the Cougars to 30 points on the night. The old mark was 32 vs. Metro State in 1982.

Five South Dakota players scored in double figures, led by sophomore guard Krista Orsack and freshman point guard Erin Case, both of Sioux Falls, who had 14 each. Sophomore forward Mandy Koupal (Wagner, S.D.) had 11 points, 10 rebounds, five steals, one blocked shot and an assist in just 16 minutes of action. Koupal now has five double doubles (points, rebounds) on the season. Junior forward Julia Frie (Byron, Minn.) had 11 points, making five of seven shots from the field, and grabbed eight rebounds. Sophomore forward Heather Nelson (Yankton, S.D.) had 10 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals. In a balanced scoring attack, junior forward Amanda Iverson (Vermillion, S.D.) had seven points, six rebounds and two steals while senior forward Alissa Koronkiewicz (Peshtigo, Wisc.) provided seven points and eight rebounds.

Stacy Nordgren and Michelle Didier both scored nine points to lead Minnesota-Morris.

The Coyotes jumped to a 17-0 lead after Orsack made the first of her four three-point baskets on the night at the 13:23 mark. Orsack has now moved into fifth place all-time with 83 three-point baskets in her career. She passed Sherri Bitter (1991-95) with her performance on Saturday night. Minnesota-Morris did not score until the 12:23 mark of the first half when Erica Arends hit a jumper. Two free throws by Nelson gave the Coyotes a 28-2 lead at the 7:49 mark. South Dakota extended the lead to 43-2 when Iverson hit a hook shot at the 2:38 mark of the first half. The Cougars hit their second field goal of the half at the 2:09 mark on a lay-up by Erin Reger. The Coyotes answered that basket by scoring the final seven points of the half, including a three-point basket by Dawn Sudbeck (Dimock, S.D.), a lay-up and a jumper by Case for the 50-4 advantage.

Koupal scored all of her points in the first half, leading the Coyotes with 11 at the halftime break. The Coyotes made 21 of 40 field goals for 52.5 percent in the first half and were four of 13 from three-point range for 30.8 percent.

The Cougars received a three-pointer from Stacy Nordgren at the 17:29 mark of the second half to cut the lead to 55-9. But the Cougars were unable to mount any sustained offense and the Coyotes continued to build on their lead. A jumper by Case at the 11:50 mark gave USD a 71-9 lead. A lay-up by Frie gave South Dakota an 80-25 lead with 2:12 to play.

South Dakota set several season highs in the game including: points (85); steals (24); field goals (34); made three-point field goals (10); three-point field goal attempts (33); assists (20); and tied a season high with 75 field goal attempts. In addition, several season lows for an opponent were set tonight including points (30); field goals made (12); field goal percentage (26.7 percent); free throws made (0) and attempted (1). The 28 turnovers by the Cougars were also a season high by a South Dakota opponent.

The Coyotes will now play the College of St. Mary on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. in the DakotaDome. It is part of a men's and women's doubleheader at the Dome. The Coyotes' men's team will play at approximately 5:30 p.m.