ABERDEEN, S.D. - Behind a season-high 24 points from sophomore forward Meghan Woster, the fourth-ranked South Dakota women's basketball team improved to 11-1 on the season with a 70-59 win over Northern State Saturday night in Wachs Arena in Aberdeen, S.D.

Woster, a native of Sioux Falls, S.D., hit 7-of-13 shots from the field, including 3-of-4 from long range as the game's high scorer.

Senior forward Mandy Koupal (Wagner, S.D.) scored 18 points, pulled down seven points, had five steals and four assists. Koupal's 18 points moved her into sole possession of the No. 2 position on USD's all-time career scoring list with 1,593 points. She now needs just three points to become South Dakota's all-time leading scorer, a mark currently held by Karrie Wallen (1980-84), who had 1,595 points.

Senior guard Stacy Schooley (Watertown, S.D.) turned in an outstanding all-around performance, scoring 10 points, grabbing seven rebounds and recording a season-high seven steals.

Schooley keyed a USD defense which forced Northern State into 20 turnovers and limited the Wolves to just 30.4 percent shooting in the second half. For the game, NSU shot 39.2 percent from the field, while USD knocked down 47.3 percent of it shots from the floor.

In the first half, the Coyotes built their lead to as many as 10 points at 36-26 with 4:25 to go in the opening stanza, connecting on 56.0 percent of their field goals in the first 20 minutes of play. The Wolves answered though with a 10-3 run to close out the half to pull within three, 39-36, at the break.

USD again pushed its lead to 10 early in the second half, taking a 52-42 advantage with 13:05 to go in the game. Northern State again bounced back, this time with a 9-2 run, cutting the South Dakota lead to three, 54-51.

The Coyotes regained control of the game over the next four minutes, pushing their lead back to 10 at 64-54 with 3:29 to play and would hold on to win, 70-59.

Senior guard Erin Bourne (Sauk Rapids, Minn.) added 10 points for the Coyotes on 4-of-4 shooting from the field.

Northern State was led in scoring by Michelle Hanson, who had 21 points and 10 rebounds.

South Dakota return to action Friday, Dec. 19, against Briar Cliff at the DakotaDome. Tip-off is at 6 p.m.