VERMILLION, S.D. -- What a difference a night makes. One night ago, it seemed that the South Dakota women's basketball team couldn't hit anything outside the lane. Against Minnesota-Morris (0-4) on Wednesday, that all changed. South Dakota women's basketball team (6-0) won their sixth straight game - a 105-41 decision - and did it with their best shooting performance of the season.
South Dakota set a school record with 17 three-pointers on 28 attempts (13, vs. Minnesota-Morris, 2000) for a blistering 60.7 percent. By halftime, the Coyotes had made 13 long distance bombs on just 17 attempts for 76.5 percent. On the night, USD hit 40 of 64 field goals for 62.5 percent. They hit eight of 10 free throws for 80 percent.
The Coyotes, which won their 15th straight home game, are 6-0 for the first time since the 1984-85 season.
Once again, junior All-American forward Mandy Koupal (Wagner, S.D.)led the Coyotes in scoring with 21 points and nine rebounds. Koupal also had a career high six assists plus two blocks. Koupal hit nine of 13 field goals, including two three-pointers in four attempts. Five Coyotes reached double figures, including freshman guard Renae Luecke (Sioux Falls, S.D.), who had 17 points. She made all five of her three-point attempts and six of eight field goals overall. Junior guard Erin Bourne (Mankato, Minn.) contributed 15 points, including five of five from the three-point arc. Senior forward Heather Nelson (Yankton, S.D.) had 14 points and four three-pointers. Senior forward Julia Frie (Byron, Minn.) had 11 points, six rebounds and a steal. Junior guard Stacy Schooley had seven assists, three rebounds, three steals, two blocks and four points. Junior guard Dawn Sudbeck (Dimock, S.D.) had six points, and seven assists. The Coyotes had a 41-21 advantage on the boards.
Minnesota-Morris, which set a NCAA Division II record with their 70th straight loss, had three players with nine points. Kay Saager, Danielle Mercurio and Stacy Nordgren all had nine points. The Cougars hit 12 of 45 field goals for 26.7 percent. Minnesota-Morris made nine of 26 three-point field goals for 34.6 percent and they were eight of 15 from the free throw line for 80 percent.
South Dakota led 58-23 lead at halftime.
The Coyotes were 21 of 30 from the field for a blistering 70 percent in the opening half. USD made three of four free throws and held a 16-10 rebound edge. The Cougars were eight of 24 from the field for 33.3 percent. They made seven of 17 from three-point range and missed both of their free throws.
South Dakota opened up a 68-25 lead at the 16:47 mark of the second half when Frie scored inside. The lead grew to 78-27 on a layup by Amanda Iverson (Vermillion, S.D.). A free throw by Leah Bakke (Volga, S.D.) with :24 seconds to play gave the Coyotes their largest lead of 64 points.
South Dakota, which is in the midst of a nine game homestand, will host Briar Cliff on Dec. 10 at the DakotaDome at 7 p.m.
