AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State shot 56 percent in the first half and went on to defeat The University of South Dakota women's basketball team, 68-43, in a nonconference game Tuesday night in Ames, Iowa.

The Cyclones (12-1), a Big 12 power which was in the NCAA Elite 8 in 2008-09, won their 11th straight game, while the Coyotes fell to 5-6 on the season.

USD was led by Abby Kinder (Jr., Granger, Ind.), who had 12 points and five rebounds. Amber Hegge (So., Crofton, Neb.) added eight points, while Jasmine Mosley (Sr., Bellevue, Neb.) had seven.

The first half proved to be the difference in the game as Iowa State hit 14-of-25 field goal attempts, while USD hit just 6-of-25 (24 percent). The Cyclones shot 66.7 percent from three-point range as well on their way to a 41-19 halftime lead.

USD took an early 2-0 lead 41 seconds into the game, after two free throws by Mosley, but Iowa State followed with a 17-0 run over the next eight minutes to take a 15-2 lead.

The Coyotes started out ice cold from the field, missing their first nine field goal attempts before Hegge hit a basket with 10:37 left in the half to bring the Coyotes within 17-4.

The Cyclones started heating up from outside as Denae Stuckey and Kelsey Bolte hit three-pointers to push the lead to 23-4. Iowa State hit 6-of-9 three-point attempts in building a 22-point advantage.

The play of freshman Sam Mehr (Fr., Apple Valley) was a bright spot in the first half for the Coyotes as she contributed five points off the bench, hitting 2-of-2 field goals. Kinder led with six points, while Hegge and Mosley had four each.

USD enjoyed a better offensive second half, nearly playing the Cyclones even over the final 20 minutes (Iowa State outscored the Coyotes 27-24 in the second half). The Coyotes fell behind 44-19 early in the second frame after an Anna Prins three-pointer but cut the lead to 49-32 with 13:01 left after a Hegge layup. That was part of a 13-5 Coyote run.

USD opened the second half by hitting seven of its first 15 field goal attempts and were within 18 with 6:14 left before Iowa State pulled away. Mehr and Annie Roche (So., Vermillion, S.D.) each had five points each. Kara Iverson (Sr., Yankton, S.D.) had four rebounds, two blocks and three assists. Hegge had two steals. Kinder finished 4-of-8 from three-point range.

The Coyotes will play host to Seattle University at 1 p.m. on Jan. 10. It is USD's first home game since Dec. 20.