BROOKING, S.D. -- -- The No. 10 South Dakota State Jackrabbits (17-4, 7-3 in the NCC) took off an a 16-2 run to end the first half and made their five-point lead hold up in a 80-71 win over the South Dakota Coyotes (12-6, 6-4 in the NCC) on Friday night at Frost Arena in Brookings.

The showdown of two teams tied for the NCC lead was a back and forth affair all night. The Coyotes closed within five late in the game but were unable to convert opportunities and fell to the Jacks. Earlier this season, the Coyotes defeated SDSU, 74-67 in overtime at the DakotaDome.

While this one didn't go to overtime, the intensity was high and both teams seemed to be overanxious and struggled with their shooting throughout the night.

For the Coyotes, sophomore forward Mandy Koupal (Wagner, S.D.) continued her fine play despite foul trouble, which limited her to 25 minutes. She hit 10 of 16 field goals and three of four three-point field goals for 24 points. She also had eight rebounds and three assists. Koupal helped lead the Coyotes to a 23-9 lead in the first 10 minutes before she picked up her second foul, which forced her to the bench for the rest of the half.

After she left the game, the Coyotes struggled on the offensive end. South Dakota went on a five-minute plus scoring drought and SDSU responded with an 11-0 run to cut the lead to 23-20 with seven minutes to play. South Dakota finally scored at the 4:46 mark on a lay-up and a free throw by Julia Frie (Byron, Minn.) as the Coyotes led 26-20.

On the ensuing possession, Frie again scored, this time hitting from the three-point line as the shot clock was expiring and South Dakota led 29-20 at the 3:14 mark. Then,the Jacks went on an offensive surge, outscoring South Dakota, 16-2 over the final three minutes to grab a 36-31 halftime lead. Key in the Jacks' run was three-pointers from Brenda Davis, who had a career high 29 points on the night, and senior point guard Shari Johnson, who hit from downtown with :41 seconds to play.

South Dakota hit 12 of 30 first half field goals, four of 10 shots from the three-point line and only three of six free throws in the opening half. The Coyotes held a 23-19 rebound advantage but committed 12 costly turnovers while SDSU had just seven.

Frie led the Coyotes with eight points and five rebounds while Koupal had seven points and three rebounds. SDSU hit 12 of 31 field goals, including three of 11 from the three-point arc, as well as nine of 14 from the free throw line. Davis led the Jacks with 11 points and Melissa Pater who had 10.

The Jackrabbits came out strong in the second half and a three pointer by Becky Otte gave SDSU a 49-37 lead with 12:48 to play in the second half. A three-pointer by Davis increased the margin to 54-39 with 11:08 to play.

In this rivalry game, one thing is certain, neither squad is going to quit. The Coyotes responded by cutting the lead to 60-51 when Frie hit a three-pointer at the 6:59 mark. A jumper by Heather Nelson (Yankton, S.D.) cut the margin to 60-54 with 5:05 left to play. But, each time the Coyotes drew close, the Jacks fought off the charge. USD pulled within 66-61on Koupal's three-pointer with 3:01 to play in the game. Then, the Coyotes closed to within 75-69 with just under a minute left to play when Dawn Sudbeck (Dimock, S.D.) made three straight free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt. Still the Coyotes couldn't cut the gap any further as they failed to box out SDSU after free throw misses on two occasions in the final minute. The Coyotes pulled within 76-71 with :35 seconds to play on a drive and score by Frie.

Overall, South Dakota hit 27 of 65 field goals for 41.5 percent. They were eight of 22 from three-point range and nine of 16 from the foul line. The Coyotes' first half rebound advantage turned State's way in the second half as the Jacks held a 49-38 rebound edge for the game. Besides Koupal, Frie had a solid game with 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and one steal in 35 minutes of action. Nelson added 11 points and Amanda Iverson (Vermillion, S.D.) had eight points for the Coyotes.

SDSU hit 27 of 65 field goals for 41.5 percent, but were just six of 20 from the three-point line for 30 percent. They made 20 of 32 free throws for 62.5 percent.