SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The South Dakota Coyotes women's basketball team (12-7, 6-5 in the NCC) suffered through their worst shooting night of the season and fell to the Augustana Vikings (10-9, 5-6 in the NCC), 68-44, on Saturday night before 2,917 at the Elmen Center in Sioux Falls.

The Coyotes, who dropped their second consecutive NCC game, scored a season-low 44 points as they made just 13 of 52 field goals for 25 percent. The Coyotes converted only four of 22 three-point field goals for 18.2 percent, although they did manage to make 14 of 21 free throws for 66.7 percent.

South Dakota was led in scoring by sophomore forward Mandy Koupal (Wagner, S.D.), who had 14 points and six rebounds. However, Koupal hit just six of 20 from the field and she made just one of five three-pointers. However, she did break double figures for the 19th straight time this season. Junior forward Heather Nelson (Yankton, S.D.) had nine points, three assists and three rebounds while junior forward Julia Frie (Byron, Minn.) had eight points and four rebounds.

All night the Coyotes had trouble shooting the ball. In fact the Coyotes hit just seven of 24 field goals for 29.2 percent in the opening half. But, that was their better shooting performance as the Coyotes made just six of 28 field goals in the second half for 21.4 percent. USD made just one of 13 three-point field goals in the second half.

While the Coyotes struggled, Augustana grabbed a 37-26 lead behind solid shooting in the opening stanza. The Vikings led 34-14 with three-minutes to play in the opening half but the Coyotes closed on a 12-3 run to cut the lead to 11 points, 37-26. After the break, the Coyotes just couldn't get any offense going and they scored just 18 points, also a season low for a half. USD was outscored 31-18 in the second half.

Augustana was 26 of 56 from the field for 46.4 percent, including six of 11 three-point field goals and 10 of 13 from the foul line for 76.9 percent. After shooting 51 percent in the opening half, the Vikings cooled off to 11 of 27 for 40.7 percent. Leading Augustana was senior guard Tamera Oltmanns, who had 23 points, six assists and six rebounds. Charissa Sheppard provided 12 points and 12 rebounds for Augustana which won the rebound battle, 44-31.