VERMILLION - - Shelly Martin hit 4-of-5 three-pointers and scored 17 points off the bench to lead Northwest Missouri State past The University of South Dakota women's basketball team, 69-60, in Vermillion, S.D. on Saturday.

The loss spoiled the debut of first-year Coyote head coach Ryun Williams, and came despite a 25-point, 15-rebound effort by USD's Bridget Yoerger (Sr., Hinton, Iowa). Yoerger's 15 rebounds tied her career-high.

Cold shooting slowed the Coyotes as USD hit just 18-of-60 field goal attempts (30 percent). USD hit only 5-of-21 three-point attempts (23.8 percent).

The Coyotes led 30-25 at halftime and led 48-45 with 8:17 left after a three-point play by Yoerger. But the Bearcats responded with a 10-0 run, which included three 3-pointers by Martin to take a 55-48 lead with 4:37 left.

USD was as close as 57-53 after Ashley Wiemann (Sr., Vermillion, S.D.) drained a three-pointer with 3:02 left. The Coyotes were unable to get closer, however as the Bearcats iced the contest from the free-throw line.

Yoerger had 16 points and eight rebounds in the first half as the Coyotes built a five-point lead, despite shooting only 1-of-11 from three-point range.

NWU held a 47-45 advantage in rebounds, including 11-9 on the offensive glass.

Jasmine Mosley (Jr., Bellevue, Neb.) had six points, four assists and 12 rebounds for USD. Wiemann chipped in with 12 points. Annie Roche (RFr., Vermillion, S.D.) had eight points, three rebounds and three assists in the loss for the Coyotes.

USD (0-1) resumes action on Sunday, Nov. 16 against Bemidji State. The game is set for 1 p.m. at the Vermillion High School.