GRAND FORKS, N.D. (Feb. 16, 2006)--The South Dakota women's basketball team (14-11, 2-8 NCC) dropped its second-straight game to a top-five team, as it fell to second-ranked North Dakota (28-0, 10-0 NCC), 75-58, in front of 2,497 at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center on the UND campus in Grand Forks, N.D., Thursday night.

UND jumped out to a quick 12-0 lead in the first three and a half minutes before the Coyotes got on the board with a three-pointer by junior Vanessa Yanez (Wagner, S.D.) at the 16:24 mark.

North Dakota led by as many as 17 in the first half at the 12:36 mark, when Whitney Ledger sank a jumper to give UND a 24-7 lead.

However, the Coyotes went on an 18-6 run down to the 5:46 mark capped by another Yanez three to cut the lead to five, 30-25.

UND went into the locker room at halftime with a 37-28 lead.

In the second half, North Dakota built up 14-point leads on three occasions, before USD was able to cut the lead to six points, 55-49, on a three-pointer by sophomore Ashley Robinette (South Sioux City, Neb.) at the 7:53 mark.

Unfortunately, it was the closest the Coyotes would come as North Dakota closed out the game on a 20-7 run.

For the game, USD shot 43.9% (18-of-41) from the field, including 10-of-21 (47.6%) from beyond the three-point arc. At the line, the Coyotes were almost perfect, making 12-of-14 (85.7%) attempts.

Robinette led all scorers with 23 points, which included 4-of-5 from three-point land and 7-of-8 at the foul line. Yanez finished with 18 points, all three-pointers (6-of-9). With her six treys, she moved into fifth place all-time at USD in three-point field goals with 135, passing Krista Orsack (2000-02) with 133.

The Coyotes were outrebounded, 38-29, and committed 20 turnovers that led to 26 UND points.

North Dakota shot 40.6% (28-of-69) from the field and was 12-of-29 (41.4%) from three-point range. UND also made seven of its 11 free throws (63.6%).

Kristi Boese led three UND players in double figures with 20 points, while Ashley Langen recorded a double double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Carissa Jahner chipped in with 10 points.

With its win and Augustana's victory over St. Cloud State, North Dakota clinched the NCC title outright.

The Coyotes will have a week off before they return to action next Thursday, Feb. 23, when they host Augustana in the DakotaDome at 6 p.m.