GREELEY, Colo. -- The South Dakota basketball team rallied from a seven-point deficit at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime, and from there the Coyotes took control in a 62-57 win over Northern Colorado in the season opener for both teams Friday in Greeley, Colo.

The Coyotes (1-0) were down seven in the final two minutes of regulation and tied the game with a second left on a basket by junior Annie Roche (Vermillion, S.D), who had 10 points. In the overtime frame, South Dakota outscored the Bears 7-2, thanks to five points from junior Amber Hegge (Crofton, Neb.), who led the Coyotes with 17 points.

Several players contributed to the win for South Dakota, including sophomore Alexis Yackley (Onida, S.D.), who had 14 points and five rebounds. Junior center Jodie Boss (Columbus, Neb.) had five points but also had 11 rebounds and a game-high six blocks. Nine of the 11 Coyote players who saw action scored.

The Coyotes were down 54-47 with 2:03 left before mounting a rally. South Dakota outscored the Bears 8-1 over the final 2:03, with Roche accounting for four points, including the game-tying basket.

The game was close the entire way, with seven points being the largest lead. There were six ties and nine lead changes.

South Dakota opened the game on a 16-10 spurt - thanks to three 3-pointers from Yackley, who finished 4-of-7 from behind the arc.

Eventually, Northern Colorado moved into the lead late and took a 23-21 advantage into the break. Both teams shot 32 percent in the first half on identical 8-of-25 field goals.

In the second half, the Coyotes battled and took a 43-39 lead on a jumper by redshirt freshman McKayla Knudson (South Sioux City, Neb.), who was making her collegiate debut in the game. Northern Colorado regained the lead at 49-46 and eventually pushed the advantage to 54-47 before the Coyotes mounted the rally.

Sophomore Tempestt Wilson (Elk River, Minn.) had six points for South Dakota, while freshman Stacia Robertson (Grand Island, Neb.) had three assists. Yackley and Roche had two steals each. Junior Jackie Hiebert (Maple Grove, Minn.) had four points and four rebounds off the bench for the Coyotes.

South Dakota continues its road swing Sunday at Kansas for a 2 p.m. game.

Notes: It was the Coyote debut for Yackley and Boss, both of whom sat out 2009-10 as transfers...it was also the Coyote debut for Robertson and freshman Katelyn Edwards (Crete, Neb.), who had three points and six rebounds in 18 minutes of action...the Coyotes are now 1-2 in openers under Coach Ryun Williams.