Sioux Falls, S.D. (Feb. 24, 2005)--Playing at the Sioux Falls Arena in the Dakota Basketball Classic, the South Dakota women's basketball team (14-12, 2-9 NCC) suffered a 64-60 loss to the 23rd-ranked Augustana Vikings (21-8, 6-6 NCC).

It didn't take the Coyotes long to find themselves in a hole, as Augustana started the game with a 12-2 run down to the 15:22 mark in the first half.

USD then answered with a 7-0 run of its own, to pull within three, 12-9, at 13:02 on a jumper by Jenni Flynn (South Sioux City, Neb.).

That was a close as the Coyotes would get in the first half, as Augustana's 44.8% (13-of-29) field goal shooting in the half propelled them to a 30-21 lead at the break.

In the second half, USD quickly cut into the Vikings lead as it was a four-point ball game at 18:02 after junior Meghan Woster (Sioux Falls, S.D.) made the first of two free throws. Woster, who finished with 15 points, scored in double figures for the third straight game and 13th time this season.

After the Augustana lead got back to 10, 54-55, on a three by Katie Krauth at 6:04, USD went on to take its first lead of the game, 60-59 at 1:21 on a lay-up by Flynn with Woster's last of six assists.

Flynn's bucket was the Coyotes last of the game as Erin Johnson hit a three at 1:12 and Alison Adamson added a wide-open lay-up with three seconds remaining to give Augustana the four-point win.

In addition to Woster's 15, Brittany Bessert (Fort Collins, Colo.) scored 18, while Ashley Robinette (South Sioux City, Neb.) had 16.

USD shot 31.7% (19-of-60) from the field for the game and was just 4-of-17 (23.5%) from three-point range. The Coyotes missed just two free throws on the night to finish at 90% (18-of-20).

For Augustana, Johnson was one of four Vikings in double figures, leading with a career-high 17 points.

The Vikings, who outrebounded the Coyotes 47-37, shot 40.3% (27-of-67) from the field and were 7-of-19 (36.8%) behind the arc. Augustana attempted just six free throws on the night and made three of them.

USD will travel to St. Cloud, Minn., for its final regular season game. The Coyotes will square off with the Huskies of St. Cloud State at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26.