VERMILLION, S.D. -- The South Dakota women's basketball team (10-5, 4-3 in the NCC), led by Mandy Koupal's 26 points and 10 rebounds, upended No. 1 ranked North Dakota (11-3, 3-3 in the NCC), 89-77 before 1,012 at the DakotaDome on Friday night. South Dakota has now won seven of its past eight games and two straight in the NCC. After starting, 0-2 in the NCC, the Coyotes has won four of its past five conference games. In addition, head basketball coach Chad Lavin recorded his 300th career victory (300-247) on Friday night. For the second straight year, the Coyotes have defeated the No. 1 North Dakota Fighting Sioux at the DakotaDome. A year ago, the Coyotes recorded a 74-65 win over the then No. 2 ranked North Dakota. Tonight, they were able to again accomplish that feat due to the play of Koupal (Wagner, S.D.) and several others. Koupal, who scored 33 points against Nebraska-Omaha in her last game on Jan. 5, recorded her eight 20-plus point performance of the season and her ninth double double. She has now reached double figures in scoring in all 15 games this season.

South Dakota had four players in double figures, including Heather Nelson (Yankton, S.D.), who had a solid game with 15 points, four steals, three assists, five rebounds and two three-pointers. Nelson hit five of 10 field goals and all three of her free throws. Both junior forward Julia Frie (Byron, Minn.) and junior forward Amanda Iverson (Vermillion, S.D.) scored 13 points.

Frie, the NCC's leading three-point shooter, hit both of her three-point shots and five of six free throws. Iverson was four of seven from the field and she hit all five of her free throws. Stacy Schooley (Watertown, S.D.) had her best game as a Coyote, scoring seven points, dishing out eight assists and recording five steals. On the night, the Coyotes had 15 steals. Perhaps, the biggest difference in the game was the Coyotes' ability to knock down three-point shots. South Dakota hit a season best seven of 11 three-pointers for 63.6 percent while UND made seven of 16 for 43.8 percent. South Dakota opened up a quick 5-2 first half lead as Koupal scored two baskets but North Dakota tied the game on a three-pointer by forward Becky Moen at the 16:37 mark.

The Fighting Sioux moved to an 11-7 lead at the 15:09 mark when Marisa Leighton hit a three-point basket. A lay-up by Janel Palbicki kept the UND lead at 15-11 with 12:21 to play. After Leighton scored inside at 9:16, the Coyotes fought back to grab a lead. South Dakota went on a 12-2 run to grab a 27-23 advantage with 5:37 to play after Koupal hit a jumper.

Freshman guard Erin Case (Sioux Falls, S.D.) hit a three-point basket with 3:47 left to increase the Coyotes' lead to 30-25. Two free throws and a jumper by Iverson increased the South Dakota lead to 34-25 with 2:53 to play. Nelson hit a jumper and two free throws to give South Dakota a 38-25 lead with 1:03 to play. UND responded by converting two straight possessions into points, including a steal and lay-up by Trish Fleming with 16 seconds to play that cut the Coyotes' halftime lead to 38-29.

In the first half, the Coyotes hit 11 of 26 field goals for 42.3 percent while limiting UND to 11 of 35 shooting for 31.4 percent from the field. Koupal led the Coyotes with nine points and Heather Nelson had seven. USD hit three of five three-point field goals for 60 percent and 13 of 15 free throws for 86.7 percent. UND hit two of six three-pointers and five of six free throws. Palbicki, who had 10 points and eight rebounds, led the Fighting Sioux. Leighton added seven points. South Dakota immediately regained a double-digit lead early in the second half when Frie recorded a steal and then hit a three-pointer at the 19:28 mark as South Dakota led 41-29.

UND fought back as Palbicki and Jenny Boll scored inside to cut the lead to 43-35 with 17:29 to play. A jumper by Moen cut the Coyotes' lead to 47-40 with 15:28 to play. Koupal scored inside for a 49-40 South Dakota lead with 15:13 left in the game. Then the Sioux again made a charge at the Coyotes, cutting the lead to 51-47 on a lay-up by Boll. A three-pointer by Leighton trimmed the lead to 53-50 with 12:25 to play.

Still, the Coyotes maintained the lead, getting solid inside play from Koupal and Iverson, outstanding perimeter shooting and tough defense. In the second half, South Dakota hit 17 of 31 shots (54.8 percent), including four of six three-point baskets and 13 of 16 free throws.

A jumper by Schooley gave USD a 59-52 lead with 11:24 to play. Shortly thereafter, a basket and free throw by Koupal increased the lead to 62-52. Nelson answered a Moen basket by connecting from downtown for a 65-54 with 9:14 to play. UND kept the pressure on the Coyotes as Mary Perrizo hit a three-pointer to cut the Coyotes' lead to 68-61 with 7:06 to play. At the 6:30 mark, Boll scored inside the converted a free throw after being fouled to trim the lead to 70-64. But, that was as close as UND would get in the second half. Two free throws by Iverson gave USD a 77-67 lead with 4:36 to play.

After UND cut the lead to eight, Koupal hit a pair of free throws and Nelson hit a jumper to give USD a 84-72 lead with 3:12 left in the game. Two free throws by Schooley gave South Dakota an 88-74 lead with 1:32 to play.

Overall, South Dakota hit 28 of 57 field goals for 49.1 percent and they hit a season-best seven of 11 from the three-point line for 63.6 percent. The Coyotes were 26 of 31 from the free throw line for 83.9 percent. UND, who won the rebound battle, 37-35, hit 27 of 64 field goals for 42.2 percent. They were seven of 16 from the three-point line and they made 16 of 21 free throws for 76.2 percent. UND hit 55.2 percent (16-29) from the field in the second half.

South Dakota will host No. 5 ranked North Dakota State on Saturday night. NDSU defeated Morningside, 78-72 on Friday night in Sioux City, Iowa. Gametime for the South Dakota-NDSU game is 6 p.m. at the DakotaDome.