MANKATO, MINN. -- The seventh-ranked South Dakota women's basketball team (24-3, 14-2) clinched a share of the North Central Conference title with a 72-61 win over Minnesota State, Mankato Saturday night in front of 1,295 fans at Bresnan Arena in Mankato, Minn.

South Dakota won its school-record 24th game and 14th league win. The Coyotes captured their first NCC title (co-champions with SDSU) since the 1984-85 season. It is their fourth title, all under the direction of head coach Chad Lavin, whose teams won three straight titles from 1982-85.

The Coyotes will now host Augustana, 17-13, 5-11, in the first round of the Wells Fargo/NCC Conference Tournament on Tuesday night at the DakotaDome. Due to a loss by North Dakota on Saturday, the host of the conference tournament was determined by a coin flip. Held on Saturday night in Sioux Falls, the coin flip favored SDSU.

Junior Mandy Koupal led the way for the Coyotes with 26 points and 15 rebounds, for her 17th double-double of the season. Koupal hit 11-of-16 shots and 4-of-6 from the foul line. She also had two assists and a steal.

In addition, Koupal continued to break school records. With her point total tonight, she now has 605 points in 2002-03, which broke her single season mark of 596 in 2001-02. She also broke the seasonal rebound record with 325 boards (Angie Heisler, 311, 1996-97).

Coming up big for the Coyotes was junior guard Stacy Schooley, who had a career high 17 points to go with nine assists, six rebounds, two steals and a block. Junior guard Erin Bourne had 13 points, including a pair of three-pointers.

South Dakota hit 28-of-52 field goals for 53.8 percent, including 5-of-16 from three-point range. USD made 11-of-16 from the foul line.

While South Dakota maintained control for most of the game, MSU-Mankato kept firing away and made several runs at the Coyotes. After the teams were deadlocked 4-4, USD took off on a 17-0 run to grab a 21-4 lead at the 11:27 mark. Then, a three-pointer by Julia Frie gave USD a 27-9 lead.

From that point, MSU-Mankato went on a 18-8 run to close the half and pull within 35-27 at halftime. USD hit 15-of-27 from the field in the first 20 minutes, including 3-of-9 from three-point range. MSU-Mankato hit 9-of-25 field goals for 36 percent and 4-of-8 from the three-point line.

Like the first half, USD had a quick start to open the second half. The Coyotes outscored the homestanding Mavericks, 17-7, for a 52-34 lead at the 14:05 mark. MSU drew within 58-47 on a jumper by Susan Salonek at the 8:05 mark. USD responded and took a 65-47 lead with 6:37 to play. Then, the Mavericks came back strong, pulling with 67-56 with 3:27 to play. But the Coyotes converted free throws down the stretch and held off the Mavericks.

On the night, MSU hit 23-of-50 field goals for 46 percent, including 8-of-19 from the three-point line. They made 7-of-10 free throws. Kristin Volk had 14 points and Kelly Freeman added 13 points, including three, three-pointers.