VERMILLION, S.D. - In the song Best of Times, the rock group Styx coined the words, "Tonight is the night we'll make history," and those words range true for senior All-American Mandy Koupal who became South Dakota's career scoring leader, leading fourth-ranked South Dakota (12-1) to a 60-50 win over Briar Cliff (4-11) on Friday night before 1,212 at the DakotaDome.

Koupal, a senior from Wagner, S.D., registered her North Central Conference best eighth double double of the season with 33 points and 16 rebounds as the Coyotes overcame a 10-point second half deficit to grab their 12th win in 13 outings. Koupal, who now has a school-record 43 double doubles, broke the 30-point barrier for the 13th in 73 games at South Dakota. But more importantly, Koupal became South Dakota's career scoring leader with 1,626 points, surpassing Karrie Wallen, who had 1,595 points from 1980-84. Koupal is also closing in on 2,000 points as a collegian. She needs 20 points to pass that milestone.

In addition to her scoring and rebounding, Koupal had five blocks and four steals while knocking home 2-of-six three point field goals.

After leading the Coyotes 25-24 at halftime, Briar Cliff opened on a 9-0 run for a 34-24 lead with 16 minutes to play in the game. South Dakota answered with a 15-4 run and grabbed a lead at 39-38 (9:28) when Koupal canned a three-point basket. She then scored the Coyote baskets on the next four possessions as USD went ahead 47-40 with 5:29 to play.

USD opened up a 57-44 advantage with 1:51 to play after Kayla Jacobs (Watertown, S.D.) knocked home a three pointer.

The Coyotes, which shot just 21.9 percent (7-of-32) in the first half, had a better second half, hitting 16-of-31 shots to end the game with a shooting percentage of 36.5 percent. USD hit 23-of-63 shots. The Coyotes made just 6-of-22 three point field goals and 8-of-13 free throws. USD also received eight points, four assists and four steals from senior point guard Stacy Schooley (Watertown, S.D.). Senior shooting guard Erin Bourne (Sauk Rapids, Minn.) had seven points.

Briar Cliff made 42.9 percent (21-of-49) from the field for the game, although the Chargers were 11-of-23 from the field for 47.8 percent in the opening half. The Chargers made 6-of-13 three-point shots and 2-of-6 from the charity stripe. Brooke Bollmeyer led BC with 11 points and she had seven rebounds. Allison Karpuk added nine points.

Next for South Dakota is a game on Saturday afternoon with Colorado School of Mines (3-4) at 3 p.m. at the DakotaDome.