SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The 24th-ranked South Dakota Women's Basketball Team (8-3), hurt by cold shooting and turnovers, dropped a 83-71 nonconference decision to 14th-ranked Concordia St. Paul (7-2) at the Augustana Basketball Classic at the Elmen Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., before 1,021 in attendance.

The Coyotes took an early lead and then, after falling behind by double digits made several runs at the Golden Bears, who USD last played and defeated (83-68) in the 2002-03 NCAA Division II Regional Playoffs. Turnovers were the biggest problem for USD, which committed 20 to nine for the Golden Bears. CSP, utilizing full-court pressure and physical play inside, recorded 17 steals to just two for the Coyotes. USD was outscored by CSP, 27 to 12, in points off turnovers. Additionally, CSP held a 32 to 16 advantage in points in the paint. USD's rebounding was a big factor for the Coyotes as they held a 39 to 38 advantage over the Golden Bears.

The Coyotes, which had four players in double figures, were led by sophomore Jenni Flynn (South Sioux City, Neb.), who recorded her sixth career double double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Flynn also scored in double figures for the eighth straight time and ninth overall this season. Senior point guard Meghan Woster (Sioux Falls, S.D.) added 15 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Coyotes. Junior Brittany Bessert (Fort Collins, Colo.) supplied 13 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore Vanessa Yanez (Wagner, S.D.) added 12 points and five rebounds. Yanez made 4-of-9 from three-point range with the four threes a career-best. Overall, South Dakota hit 22-of-53 from the field for 41.5 percent, including 8-of-25 from three-point range for 32 percent. USD made 19-of-25 from the free throw line for 76 percent.

Concordia-St. Paul was led by Kayla Christensen, who had 23 points, including 10-of-20 field goals. Ashley Smith recorded a double double for the Bears with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Heidi Gill had 11 points. The Golden Bears hit 34-of-75 shots from the field, including 5-of-18 from three-point range. CSP also made 10-of-15 free throws for 66.7 percent.

South Dakota controlled the first 10 minutes of the game, despite falling behind 4-0 early in the game (18:54). The Coyotes used a 13-2 run from the 17:48 to the 14:50 mark of the first half to build a 13-6 lead after Flynn scored on a drive. After freshman Ashley Robinette (South Sioux City, Neb.) hit a pair of free throws, USD led 15-7 with 12:44 to play. USD built the lead to 16-7 before CSP made a charge at the Coyotes, tying the game at 16-16 with 10:41 left in the half on a Heather Gill steal and lay-up. The score by Gill capped a 9-0 run by the Bears.

USD regained the lead at 19-16 (10:25) after Yanez hit a three-point field goal. CSP continued to pressure USD and an Ashley Smith score gave CSP a 20-19 lead with 9:30 left in the first half. CSP's Nakia Carlisle had four points in the next two minutes as CSP took a 26-21 lead with 7:57 to play.

A pair of free throws by Bessert tied the game at 26-26 with 5:09 left in the half. From that point, CSP outscored USD, 14-5, to grab a 40-31 advantage at the halftime break.

Flynn led USD in the first half with 11 points and seven rebounds. Bessert and Woster both had six points. USD hit 9-of-24 field goals for 37.5 percent, including just 2-of-10 from three-point range. USD was 11-of-14 for 78.6 percent on free throws.

In the opening stanza, CSP was led by Kayla Christensen with 10 points while Gill had nine points. Overall, CSP hit 16-of-39 field goals for 41 percent, including 2-of-9 from three point range for 22.2 percent. They were also 6-of-8 from the free throw line.

Early in the second half, Concordia St. Paul grabbed a 44-31 lead before USD forged a comeback. A Yanez three-pointer with 17:47 to play cut the lead to 46-37. Down 14 (58-44) at the 13:14 mark, USD made an 8-0 run to cut CSP's lead to 58-52 with 12:08 to play. USD drew within six points on a Kayla Jacobs (Watertown, S.D.) basket and free throw. USD missed lay-ups on consecutive possessions that could have cut into CSP's lead further, but the Golden Bears rebounded and built the lead to 63-52 with 10:04 left in the game.

CSP extended the lead to 72-57 with 7:31 to play before USD again mounted a comeback. A three-pointer by Woster cut CSP's lead to 75-66 at the 5:12 mark. However that 9-3 run was the last rally for the Coyotes. A basket by CSP's Desirae Jones pushed the lead back to 81-66 with 22 seconds left in the game.

Next for South Dakota will be a second meeting this season with Chadron State at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Augustana Classic. Earlier this year, USD took a 96-60 decision against Chadron State at the Nebraska-Omaha tournament.