SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The seventh-ranked South Dakota women's basketball team (23-3, 13-2) extended its winning streak to eight with a 77-52 victory over Augustana (16-13, 4-11) Friday night in front of 2,155 fans at the Elmen Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The Coyotes' 23 wins this season ties the school record for wins in a season set by the 1984-85 squad (23-5). Friday's victory also marked USD's first win at Augustana since the 1994-95 season. The 13 league wins (13-2) is the best in school history.

Now, South Dakota will travel to Mankato, Minn., to play for the league title. If the Coyotes defeat the Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks, they move to 14-2 and clinch at least a share of the title with SDSU, 13-2 and host to Northern Colorado on Saturday night. If both USD and SDSU win, and North Dakota defeats North Dakota State in Fargo on Saturday then USD will host the Wells Fargo/North Central Conference Tournament at the DakotaDome next weekend. If NDSU wins, then wins by USD and SDSU tonight would force a coin flip.

Junior All-American Mandy Koupal (Wagner, S.D.) led the way for South Dakota with 22 points and 10 rebounds for her 16th double-double of the season.

USD opened the game with a 24-5 run over the first 10 minutes of play and never looked back, taking a 35-17 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Coyote rout continued in the second half, as South Dakota built its lead up to as high as 35 at 71-36 with 5:55 remaining in the game.

As a team, the Coyotes shot a blistering 56.5 percent from the three-point line, connecting on 13-of-23 attempts from downtown. Koupal, senior Julia Frie and freshman Renae Luecke each knocked down a trio of three-pointers (Koupal 3-of-5, Frie 3-of-5 and Luecke 3-of-6).

Frie, a native of Byron, Minn., had 11 points, four rebounds and three assists. Fellow senior Heather Nelson added 14 points and four boards.

Head Coach Chad Lavin's squad did not allow a Viking player to score in double figures, as Brenna Rollie and Laura Hensley led Augustana in scoring with nine points each.

From the field, USD shot 43.5 percent (27-of-62), while holding Augie to just 32.1 percent shooting (18-of-56). Both squads struggled at the charity stripe, as the Coyotes hit 62.5 percent of their free throws, compared to 64.7 percent (11-of-17) for the Vikings. South Dakota outrebounded the Vikings 45-35.

USD closes out the regular season tomorrow night in Mankato, Minn., against Minnesota State, Mankato, starting at 6 p.m.

NOTES: South Dakota, ranked No. 2 in the region, is ranked No. 7 in the country, its highest ranking since the 1985 season. By holding Augustana to 52 points, USD has held 14 opponents to less than 60 points. USD is 14-0 in those games. Heather Nelson has 1,242 points which ranks her ninth all-time at South Dakota and 23 points from eighth place (Mitzi Frericks, 1,264, 1982-86)in her career. She also has 65 three-pointers and 173 career three-point shots, which ranks her second all-time. Mandy Koupal has 35 blocked shots which is third best all-time at USD. Her career total of 61 places her fourth all-time. She has 579 points which is 18 points from breaking her school record 596 points in 2001-02.

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