Grand Forks, N.D. -- It was a tale of two halves as No. 5 North Dakota (18-4, 10-4 in the NCC) regained a share of first place in the North Central Conference by holding off a game South Dakota unit, 83-77, on Saturday night at Hyslop Arena in Grand Forks, N.D. before, 3,420. With South Dakota State's loss to Augustana earlier on Saturday, both teams sit at 10-4 in the NCC. The Coyotes remain in third place in the NCC.

South Dakota (15-8, 9-6 in the NCC) rushed to a 15-point halftime lead and looked to gain a tie for second in the NCC, but but was unable to sustain their strong offensive performance as the Sioux fought back before a raucous home crowd.

Everything the Coyotes tried in the first half seemed to work as all nine players scored for the Coyotes. South Dakota hit 20 of 33 shots in the first half for 60.6 percent, which was a season high. They also connected on six of 11 three-point baskets although they did not shoot a free throw. Leading the way was Julia Frie with 10 points and Mandy Koupal and Heather Nelson with nine each.

North Dakota charged back in the second half as they opened with a 20-5 run to tie the game, enroute to shooting nearly 60 percent themselves (59.2) in the final half of play.

After that the Sioux opened up a seven point lead late and hung despite constant charges by the Coyotes, who had two three-pointers in the final minute (Stacy Schooley and Krista Orsack). The Sioux converted their free throws in the final minute to keep the Coyotes at bay.

In the second half, South Dakota hit just eight of 24 field goals and just three of nine from three-point range which allowed the Sioux to make a comeback. USD hit 12 of 13 free throws after the break for 92.3 percent.

For the game, the Coyotes hit 28 of 57 field goals for 49.1 percent and nine of 20 three-pointers for 45 percent. Mandy Koupal, a sophomore from Wagner, scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds with three assists to lead South Dakota. Heather Nelson had 14 points and Julia Frie added 10 for the Coyotes. Krista Orsack had nine points, all three-pointers. She now has 114 in her career at South Dakota.

Like the Coyotes in the opening half, UND had everything go right in the final 20-minutes. While the Coyotes seemed to win the battle for loose balls in the first half, it was UND that won the loose ball battles in the second half.

During the second half, UND hit 19 of 32 shots in the second half for 59.4 percent and for the game made 32 of 59 field goals for 54.2 percent. The Sioux hit three of 15 three-pointers, with all three coming from Becky Moen, who had a game high 36 points. The Sioux hit 16 of 22 free throws for 72.8 percent. UND won the rebound battle, 31-30.

Next up for the Coyotes is Morningside next Saturday night at 6 p.m. in the DakotaDome. The Coyotes close the season with three straight home games with the Mustangs the first on the agenda. The following weekend, USD hosts St. Cloud State and Minnesota State-Mankato at the Dome. Gametime against the Minnesota schools is also set for 6 p.m. at the Dome.