VERMILLION, S.D. (February 16, 2002) -- Junior forward Julia Frie scored a season high 22 points and sophomore forward Mandy Koupal had her 13th double double of the season to lead South Dakota (16-8, 10-6 in the NCC) to a 77-52 North Central Conference win over Morningside (6-18, 2-14 in the NCC) before 1,340 at the DakotaDome on Saturday night.

Frie (Byron, Minn.) hit seven of 12 field goals, including four of eight from the three-point line and four of five free throws. She also grabbed six rebounds and had three assists. Koupal (Wagner, S.D.), who scored in double figures for the 24th time this season, hit seven of 16 field goals and grabbed 11 rebounds to go with three blocked shots and two steals.

With the win, South Dakota maintained control of third place in the NCC. South Dakota won their seventh straight home NCC game and they have a 10-1 mark overall at the Dome. The victory gave South Dakota 16 wins this season which is the most since head coach Chad Lavin returned to coach the Coyotes in 1998. He was also the head coach for South Dakota from 1982-86 when South Dakota won three NCC titles. The 10-6 NCC record is the best since the Coyotes recorded a 10-4 record during the 1988-89 season when South Dakota finished third in the NCC.

Led by the play of Frie and Koupal, South Dakota jumped to a 41-25 halftime lead over Morningside. Frie hit five of nine field goals, including three of six from three-point range in the opening half. Koupal, who also hit five of nine field goals, had 12 points and seven rebounds to go with two steals. The Coyotes jumped to a 10-3 lead when Koupal hit a jumper off a feed by Heather Nelson at the 15:53 mark. After Morningside cut the lead to 10-8, the Coyotes went on a 12-0 run to give South Dakota a 22-8 lead at the 10:44 mark after sophomore guard Dawn Sudbeck (Dimock, S.D.) hit a three-pointer.

Morningside fought back and they cut USD's lead to 24-20 with a 12-2 run of their own. A three-pointer by Megan Cloud, who had five three-pointers and 17 points in the first half, pulled the Mustangs within four points at the 7:14 mark. Later, sophomore forward Krista Orsack (Sioux Falls, S.D.) hit a three-pointer (6:18) for a 27-20 lead. Then, Koupal had a pair of inside baskets to give USD a 35-25 lead at the 3:28 mark. Frie hit her third three-pointer of the half to increase the lead to 39-25 at the 2:40 mark.

In the opening half, South Dakota hit 15 of 32 field goals for 46.9 percent, including six of 14 from three-point range for 42.9 percent. The Coyotes were five of seven from the free throw line. Morningside hit eight of 29 from the field for 27.6 percent. The Mustangs, led by Cloud, hit five of 12 three-pointers for 41.7 percent and they were four of four from the free throw line n the opening half.

While the Mustangs made several charges at South Dakota, the second half was pretty much a replica of the opening half of play. South Dakota opened up a 52-29 lead at the 13:33 mark when Amanda Iverson (Vermillion, S.D.), who had nine points and a season high 11 rebounds, scored inside.

South Dakota increased the lead to 56-34 when Frie hit a pair of free throws at 11:03. Later, a three-pointer by Frie, her fourth of the game, pushed the margin to 63-39 at the 7:18 mark. Orsack's three-pointer at the 1:31 mark gave the Coyotes a 72-49 lead.

While South Dakota's shooting went down in the second half (14 of 32 for 43.8 percent), Morningside had trouble connecting on the offensive end as they hit just 10 of 38 field goals for 26.3 percent. The Mustangs made just three of 13 three-pointers for 23.1 percent in the second half.

Overall, South Dakota hit 29 of 64 field goals for 45.3 percent, including nine of 22 from three-point range for 40.9 percent. The Coyotes hit 10 of 15 free throws for 66.7 percent. Orsack, who had four three-pointers, had 12 points while Heather Nelson had nine points, four steals and five rebounds. The Coyotes had seven blocked shots and recorded 10 steals. They held a 51-41 rebound advantage over Morningside.

On the night, Morningside hit 18 of 67 field goals for 26.9 percent, including eight of 25 from the three-point line for 32 percent. The Mustangs hit eight of 13 free throws for 61.5 percent. Megan Cloud led Morningside with 19 points. Erica Thein added 11 points and eight rebounds while Katie Lokken had eight points and 11 rebounds.

South Dakota will conclude their regular season with home games vs. Minnesota State-Mankato on Friday, Feb. 22 and St. Cloud State on Saturday, Feb. 23. Both games are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.