OREM, Utah - Senior Amber Hegge scored 17 of her 19 points in the second half to help the South Dakota women's basketball team to a 63-54 win over Utah Valley in nonconference action Monday in Orem, Utah. The Coyotes moved to 7-2 on the year with the win, while Utah Valley fell to 5-5.

Hegge (Crofton, Neb.) was just three assists away from her first career triple double on the night. She finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, and also added four blocks and four assists.

Junior Alexis Yackley (Onida, S.D.) had 10 points and four assists, while senior Jodie Boss (Columbus, Neb.) had eight points and tied a South Dakota single-game record - which she owns and has tied four times - with seven blocks. Junior Tempestt Wilson (Elk River, Minn.) had nine points.

"Our kids did a great job in that second half of not being frustrated," South Dakota head coach Ryun Williams said. "It turned into a hectic game. We maintained enough control and made enough plays to hold on for the victory. To get a win here is absolutely huge. I'm really proud of our effort all night tonight."

The Coyotes opened the game on a 15-3 run over the first 6:20, sparked by six points from Roche and five from Yackley. Freshman Taylor Moore (Milford, Neb.) also added a three.

The Coyotes held Utah Valley to just five points over the first 10 minutes. The Wolverines started 2-of-17 (10.5 percent) from the field as South Dakota built the double-digit advantage.

Utah Valley cut the lead to 15-8, but the Coyotes scored nine straight - with sophomore McKayla Knudson (South Sioux City, Neb.) accounting for four points and Wilson three - to push the lead to 24-8 with 6:19 left in the first half.

The Coyote defense dominated the first half as South Dakota took a 27-14 lead into halftime. The Coyotes held Utah Valley to just 14.7 percent (5-of-34) in the first half.

"We guarded like crazy during that first half," Williams said.

South Dakota shot 37.8 percent (11-of-29) in the first half, and held a double-digit lead despite facing a 31-18 deficit in rebounds. Eight Coyote players found the scoring column in the first half, led by senior guard Annie Roche (Vermillion, S.D.) with six, Yackley with five and Knudson with four.

After Utah Valley cut the lead to 29-18, the Coyotes began to stretch the lead out early in the second half. They went on an 11-3 run - sparked by nine points from Hegge - to take a commanding 40-21 lead with 14:38 left. A three by Hegge started the run.

"She had a really big second half," Williams said. "She got herself going and got herself some touches. We needed that."

Each time it appeared Utah Valley was poised to make a serious dent in the Coyote lead - South Dakota answered.

The Wolverines cut the lead to 40-25 but the Coyotes scored five straight points - on a three by Yackley and a basket by freshman Lisa Loeffler (Maplewood, Minn.) - to stretch the lead to 45-25 with 12:35 left. From there, the Coyotes weathered a Wolverine rally to earn the nine-point win.

South Dakota resumes action Wednesday at Idaho State. Game time is 8 p.m. Central time in Pocatello, Idaho.