Vermillion, S.D. - Junior forward Amber Hegge notched a season-high 21 points, but the South Dakota women's basketball team fell to Creighton 79-70 on Thursday night in the DakotaDome. The Coyotes (3-4) hung close to the Bluejays (4-2) the majority of the contest, but a 15-3 run midway through the second half proved to be the difference.

Hegge (Crofton, Neb.) connected on 7-of-12 from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line to pace three Coyotes in double figures. Junior guard Annie Roche (Vermillion, S.D.) added 17 points thanks in part to three treys, and freshman forward Stacia Robertson (Grand Island, Neb.) contributed a career-high 12 points and six rebounds. Junior center Jodie Boss (Columbus, Neb.) had eight rebounds and sophomore guard Alexis Yackley (Onida, S.D.) tied a career high with seven assists.

The Coyotes shot 46 percent (25-of-54) from the field and 45 percent (5-of-11) from beyond the arc, while the Bluejays connected on 48 percent (22-of-45) and 56 percent (9-of-16). USD held a 32-26 rebounding advantage, but CU claimed a 10-6 advantage in turnovers and 6-1 in steals.

Creighton jumped on the Coyotes early with a 5-of-5 showing from deep in the first 10 minutes to go up by as many as seven points. Hegge started with two layups and two Roche jumpers sandwiched free throws from sophomore guard Tempestt Wilson (Elk River, Minn.) to pull USD within two at 12-10 with 14:10 to go, but the Bluejays slowly crept the lead to back eight midway through the half.

The game seesawed back and forth down the stretch, as the Coyotes would get within striking distance and Creighton would respond. Wilson and Hegge converted buckets from the free throw line and the field to keep USD in the contest until a Roche three with 12 seconds left sent the Coyotes into halftime down one at 36-35.

Hegge notched 10 points in the first half and Wilson added eight, while Boss had six rebounds. USD shot 54 percent (13-of-24) from the field and 33 percent (1-of-3) from deep to Creighton's 50 percent (13-of-26) and a sizzling 63 percent (7-of-11). USD held a 13-12 rebounding advantage, as both teams committed four turnovers and seven fouls.

A quick bucket from Boss to start the second half gave USD its first lead since early in the game, but it was short lived. CU once again crept out to a six point lead in the first five minutes, despite eight straight points from Hegge. Two free throws from senior guard Teresa Case (Sioux Falls, S.D.) cut the lead back to one and a Hegge layup gave the Coyotes the lead again at 48-47 with 12:51 left.

The Bluejays responded with a 15-3 run over the next seven minutes thanks to multiple trips to the free-throw line and a big trey to earn their biggest lead of the night at 62-51 with 5:40 to go. The Coyotes wouldn't go quietly, though, as Yackley nailed a trey, Roche connected on a driving layup and Roche added a trey of her own to pull within six at 67-61 with 2:25 to go. That was as close as USD would get, as CU made free throws down the stretch to ice the game.

South Dakota wraps up its four-game homestand by hosting Wichita State on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the DakotaDome. Fans can purchase tickets in advance at the USD Ticket Office or by calling (605) 677-5959.