VERMILLION, S.D. - - The University of South Dakota women's basketball team earned its fourth consecutive win with a 78-49 win over Mount Marty College Monday night in Vermillion, S.D.
USD (4-1) used a strong effort on the defensive end to build a commanding 39-17 halftime lead. The Coyotes held the Lancers to just 23.1 percent shooting in the first half (6-of-26) and held Mount Marty without a field goal for a span of more than seven minutes. The Coyotes held the Lancers to just 32 percent shooting for the game.
It was the third time this season USD has held an opponent to 52 points or less.
Bridget Yoerger (Sr., Hinton, Iowa) continued her torrid start to the 2008-09 season with 26 points and seven rebounds. She finished 9-of-16 from the field. For the season, Yoerger is averaging 24 points and 10 rebounds per game for the Coyotes.
USD broke the game open with a 20-0 run in the first half to built a 36-11 lead with 2:28 showing on the clock. Ashley Wiemann (Sr., Vermillion, S.D.) had two 3-pointers during that stretch while Natalie Carda (Sr., Beresford, S.D.) and Maggie Youngberg (Sr., Yankton, S.D.) also drained threes.
The Coyotes led by as many as 29 in the game as they cruised to a fourth straight victory.
Wiemann added 11 points and five rebounds for USD. Carda added nine points, while Annie Roche (RFr., Vermillion, S.D.) and Jasmine Mosley (Jr., Bellevue, Neb.) each collected eight. In all, nine Coyotes scored in the game. USD's bench outscored Mount Marty 19-2.
Roche had five assists while Carda had four. Yoerger had two steals.
The Coyotes shot 52.8 percent from the field (28-of-53), including 55.6 percent from three-point range (10-of-18).
USD had a 37-26 edge in rebounds in the game.
The Coyotes return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 25 when they play at Buena Vista University. Game time is 7 p.m. at Storm Lake, Iowa.
