MARYVILLE, MO. - Junior Bridget Yoerger recorded her seventh career double-double and led The University of South Dakota women's basketball team to a 79-56 win over Northwest Missouri State on Wednesday at Maryville, Mo. With the win, the Coyotes improved to 4-1 on the season while the Bearcats fell to 4-1 with their first loss of the season.

Yoerger (Hinton, Iowa) had 15 points and 13 rebounds while recording an assist and a steal in 25 minutes of work. For the fourth time in five games, senior guard Jeana Hoffman (Mitchell, S.D.) topped the 20-point mark with 21 points. Hoffman, who has scored 21 points in three of the five Coyote games, continued her hot shooting. She made 8-of-13 field goals, including 5-of-8 from three point range against the Bearcats. Hoffman, who is shooting 53.7 percent (22-of-41) from three-point range this season, had five three-point baskets for the third time this season. Senior point guard Shannon Daly (Groton, S.D.) had her third double-digit scoring game of the year with 16 points while dishing out a pair of assists and recording four steals. Daly made 8-of-12 shots from the field. Senior guard Jenna Hoffman (Mitchell, S.D.) narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and 10 boards.

The Coyotes hit 32-of-69 field goals for 46.4 percent while making 8-of-23 three-point shots for 34.8 percent. USD also converted 7-of-8 free throws and owned a 43-34 rebound advantage.

Northwest Missouri State had three players score in double figures, led by Meghan Brue with 12 points and seven boards. Andrea Dill had 11 points while Kelli Nelson added 10. The Bearcats made 20-of-58 field goals for 34.5 percent, including 6-of-22 from three-point range (27.3 percent). They were also 10-of-11 from the free throw line.

A key statistic in the Coyotes' favor was points in the paint, which USD controlled by a 20-6 margin. In addition, USD outscored NWMS, 9-2, in points off turnovers.

The Coyotes jumped out quickly on the Bearcats as USD grabbed a 6-0 lead at the 16:30 mark following a jumper by Daly. Another jumper by Daly helped USD maintain a six-point lead (19-13) at the 8:28 mark of the first half. The Bearcats rallied and took the lead at 23-21 (5:21) with a 10-2 run. USD responded when Jeana Hoffman knocked home a three-pointer for a 28-27 lead with 2:59 to play in the half. Then, the Coyotes closed on a 8-3 run to take a 36-30 lead into halftime. When USD has a lead at the break, they are normally difficult to defeat. The Coyotes have won 23 straight games in which they led at the halftime break and that trend continued in tonight's game with the Bearcats.

USD took control of the game early in the second half by jumping to a 44-32 lead at the 17:21 mark after Jeana Hoffman again connected from long distance. After the Bearcats cut the lead to seven (44-37, 16:03), the Coyotes went on a game-deciding run. The Coyotes outscored the Bearcats 25-13 over the next eight minutes to take a commanding 69-50 advantage with 6:49 left in the game. USD had its biggest lead of the game at 79-56 when Jasmine Mosley (So., Bellevue, Neb.) scored on a lay-up with two seconds left to play.

Next for the Coyotes will be a home game with 22nd-ranked Nebraska-Kearney (4-0) at 3 p.m. on Saturday at the DakotaDome.