OMAHA, NEB. (Nov. 26, 2004)--Behind a career-high 20 points by Brittany Bessert, The 18th-ranked South Dakota women's basketball team (2-1) defeated the Winona State Warriors (0-4), 70-55, on the first day of the Nebraska-Omaha Thanksgiving Classic at Sapp Fieldhouse in Omaha, Neb.

With the win, South Dakota improved its nonconference record to 32-5 over the last three seasons.

For most of the first half, South Dakota and Winona State traded baskets and leads. Junior Meghan Woster (Sioux Falls, S.D.) hit a jumper with 1:38 left in the half to provide the Coyotes with a 28-27 lead. Then Bessert added a pair of free throws with one second left in the half as the Coyotes owned a 30-27 lead at the break.

While Winona State hit 37 percent (10-of-27) from the field in the opening half, USD was just 11-of-32 for 34.4 percent. The Coyotes made just 4-of-15 from three-point range.

In the first 10 minutes of the second half, USD adjusted and opened up a double-digit lead. Ashley Robinette (South Sioux City, Neb.), who scored eight points and two rebounds, scored on a lay-up to give USD a 41-29 lead. Another Robinette lay-up opened up USD's lead to 50-31 with 11:54 left in the game to cap a 22-2 USD run.

Winona State closed to within 60-46 with 5:25 to play before USD responded. a three-pointer by Bessert gave USD's its largest lead of the game, 68-48, with 3:54 to play.

Bessert, a junior college transfer from Western Nebraska CC, hit 7-of-13 field goals, including 1-of-3 from three-point range as she totaled her career high of 20 points. She made 5-of-6 free throws, had six rebounds, one assist and one steals in a solid all-around game.

Coyote freshman Janielle Bryan also made a big impression, scoring 11 points and trabbing two rebounds in her first action as a Coyote. Bryan of Bellevue, Neb., hit 3-of-4 field goals and 4-of-4 from the foul line in 12 minutes of action. USD's Vanessa Yanez of Wagner, S.D., had nine points, five rebounds and five assists. Redshirt freshman Ashley Bjorkman of Vermillion, S.D., had a career-best nine points, hitting 3-of-6 from three-point range. Woster led USD with seven assists, also adding four points and three rebounds.

As a team, USD shot 43.9% (25-of-57) from the field, including 10-of-27 (37.0%) three-pointers. The Coyotes also shot a season-high 90.9% (10-of-11) from the charity stripe.

For Winona State, Amanda Reimer recorded a double-double with game-highs of 23 points and 14 rebounds. She was the only Warrior to score in double figures.

Collectively, Winona State converted 38.8% (19-of-49) from the field and 70% (14-of-20) of their free throws. The Warriors did out rebound the Coyotes, 39-27, but committed 14 turnovers and shot just 18.8% (three-of-16) from three-point land.

On the second day of the UNO Thanksgiving Classic, the Coyotes will square off with Chadron State (Neb.) at 1 p.m. on Nov. 27 in Sapp Fieldhouse on the Nebraska-Omaha campus.