VERMILLION, S.D. -- The University of South Dakota women's basketball team won its fourth straight game by defeating the College of St. Mary, 76-47, in non-conference action on Sunday at the DakotaDome.

USD improved to 6-1 with its seventh straight home victory dating back to last season. The College of St. Mary dropped to 1-9 on the season.

Jeana Hoffman (Sr., Mitchell, S.D.) led the Coyotes in scoring with 13 points by hitting 5-of-11 field goals, including 3-of-5 from three-point range. Hoffman reached double-digits in points for the seventh straight time this season and the 40th time in her career. In addition, Hoffman had three, three-point field goals for the seventh straight game while also picking up three rebounds and two blocked shots.

USD freshman forward Amber Hegge (Crofton, Neb.) had 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals. Hegge reached double figures in points for the second time of her career. Jenna Hoffman (Sr., Mitchell, S.D.) added six points, five rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals for USD, which tied a season-high in steals with 16. Kelly Fargen (So., Brookings, S.D.) had career-highs in points with eight and rebounds with four. On offense, the Coyotes struggled from the field by making just 31-of-78 field goals for a season-low 39.7 percent. USD converted 8-of-29 three-point shots for 27.6 percent and made 6-of-11 free throws for 54.5 percent. The Coyotes outrebounded CSM, 46-43. For the game, USD forced the Flames into 25 turnovers.

The Flames, which received 24 points from Nyahok Duop, made 13-of-52 field goals for 25 percent. CSM was 5-of-13 from three-point range and 16-of-17 (94.1 percent) from the foul line.

With the score deadlocked at 6-6, USD had a 14-0 run to take a 20-6 lead with 14:23 to play in the first half. The Coyotes continued their surge with a 10-0 run to move ahead 30-8 at 11:35 of the first half after Hegge made a lay-up. USD built a 36-13 lead when Ashley Robinette (Sr., South Sioux City, Neb.) made a pair of free throws with 6:50 to play in the half. The Coyotes had a 40-17 advantage at halftime. USD built the 23-point lead due to its ability to score inside and force the Flames into turnovers. The Coyotes outscored CSM, 16-2, in the paint and had a 14-0 advantage in points off turnovers in the first half. Jeana Hoffman led the Coyotes with 11 first-half points.

USD outscored CSM, 36-30, in the second half despite 19 points from CSM's Duop in the final 20 minutes of play. The Flames cut USD's lead to 45-29 after two free throws by Duop with 15 minutes left in the second half. The Coyotes responded with a 9-2 run to move ahead 54-31 at the 12:59 mark following a three-point shot by Maggie Youngberg (Jr., Yankton, S.D.). Later, Youngberg made a lay-up as USD took a 62-36 lead with 6:30 to play in the game. Kara Iverson (Rfr., Yankton, S.D.) converted a lay-up with 3:26 left in the game as USD grabbed a 30-point lead at 72-42. USD's largest lead came at the 1:53 mark when Fargen made a lay-up for a 76-45 advantage.

USD will now travel to California for a pair of games with California State, Dominquez Hills on Dec. 7 and Dixie State on Dec. 8. Both games next weekend will be played in Irvine, Calif.