VERMILLION, S.D. -- Led by
Maggie Youngberg's career-high 15 points,
The University of South Dakota women's basketball team won its 12th straight game with a 67-53 win over the University of Sioux Falls on Wednesday at the DakotaDome. The Coyotes, ranked 13th in NCAA Division II, improved to 14-1 overall. USF dropped to 5-10 this season.
The 12-game winning streak is the best run by the Coyotes since the 2003-04 team opened 15-1 and had a 14-game winning streak. USD's 14-1 start is the third-best in school history. USD won its eighth straight home game this season and has recorded 11 straight victories at the DakotaDome, dating back to last season. USD has defeated USF seven straight times.
Youngberg (Jr., Yankton, S.D.) tied a career-high with 15 points by converting 5-of-9 field goals, including 5-of-8 from three-point range. She added four rebounds, two blocked shots and a steal. Bridget Yoerger (Jr., Hinton, S.D.) also reached double digits with 12 points and six rebounds. She now has 49 double-digit games in her career. Shannon Daly (Jr., Groton, S.D.) had 10 points for USD. Jenna Hoffman (Jr., Mitchell, S.D.) just missed a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds. Hoffman tied her season-high with the 11 boards while also dishing out five assists and recording five steals. Freshman Amber Hegge (Crofton, Neb.) had eight points, five rebounds and three blocked shots.
USF was led in scoring by Morgan Campbell with 17 points.
All season, defense has been the constant for the Coyotes and it was the key factor in the win over USF. South Dakota forced 26 turnovers while recording 18 steals and blocking six shots. USD limited USF to 37 percent shooting on 20-of-54 shooting from the field. USF was able to hit just 5-of-20 shots from three-point range for 25 percent. USD had a 24-7 advantage in points off turnovers and an 18-1 margin in second chance points. For the seventh time this season, the Coyotes held an opponent under 60 points.
The Coyotes struggled offensively by shooting a season-low 31.9 percent (23-of-72) from the field. Led by Youngberg, USD had a solid night from three-point range by knocking down 10-of-27 three-point field goals for 37 percent. It was the seventh time this season that USD has made at least 10 3-point shots in a game. The Coyotes also converted 11-of-19 free throws for 57.9 percent.
USF jumped to a quick 4-0 lead after a lay-up by Jenna Kraayenbrink at the 19:22 mark of the first half. The Coyotes responded with a 9-4 run to take a 13-8 lead at the 12:25 mark after Hegge knocked down a jump shot. USF answered the Coyote charge with an 11-6 run to tie the game at 19-19 at the seven minute mark of the opening half. A three-point shot by Kristen McMahon provided the Cougars with a 22-21 lead at the 5:26 mark. The Coyotes closed the half on a 7-0 run to take a 28-22 advantage into the halftime break. USD built the first-half lead with the help of a 10-2 advantage in points off turnovers and a 10-0 margin in second chance points.
After USF cut the lead to 28-24 at the 18:18 mark of the second half, the Coyotes took control of the game with a 20-4 run over the next six minutes for a 48-28 lead (12:21). A three-point shot by Daly helped USD build a 62-40 advantage with 5:38 left to play. USF cut USD's lead to 67-53 when Jacey Olson made a lay-up with 26 seconds left on the clock.
Next for the Coyotes is its North Central Conference opener against Augustana on Saturday, January 12 at the Sioux Falls Arena.
