VERMILLION, S.D. - Senior Amber Hegge scored a game-high 28 points, while senior center Jodie Boss tied the single-game blocked shots record for a seventh time to help the South Dakota women's basketball team down Southern Utah, 81-69 in Summit League action Saturday in Vermillion, S.D. South Dakota improved to 9-3 overall and 2-2 in the Summit League with the win, while Southern Utah fell to 4-9 overall and 0-3 in the conference.

Hegge (Crofton, Neb.) finished just two points away from her season-high, thanks in large part to 10-of-12 shooting from the free-throw line. She also added nine rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks. Boss (Columbus, Neb.) added a double-double - her first of the season and ninth of her career - with 14 points and 10 rebounds. She also tied the South Dakota single-game blocked shots record with seven, the seventh time she has reached that mark as a Coyote.

Junior guard Alexis Yackley (Onida, S.D.) added 15 points, a game-high six assists, five rebounds and a career-high three blocks. Freshman Kelly Stewart (Amery, Wis.) added nine points off the bench and was 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.

South Dakota shot 44.4 percent (24-of-54) from the field while holding Southern Utah to just 33.8 percent (23-of-68) shooting.

The Coyotes never trailed in the game and got off to a quick start, opening the game on a 14-2 run in the first 5:28. Junior Tempestt Wilson (Elk River, Minn.) had five points during that run, while Boss had four and Yackley added a three.

Southern Utah closed the gap to 14-9 with 12:10 left in the half, but the Coyotes extended the lead to 24-12 once again by scoring 10 of the next 13 points. Hegge had five points during that stretch while freshman Taylor Moore (Milford, Neb.) added a crucial three-pointer.

The Thunderbirds didn't go away and closed the gap to three late in the first half. South Dakota took a 36-31 lead into halftime. Hegge had 17 points in the first half alone while Wilson and Boss had five each.

Southern Utah cut the lead to 36-34 early in the second half on a layup by Carli Moreland, but the Coyotes responded with another run - this time a 13-3 spurt - to push the lead to 49-37 with 14:21 left. Hegge was the catalyst of that run with eight points, while senior Annie Roche (Vermillion, S.D,) drained a timely three.

Each time the Coyotes appeared poised to put the game out of reach, the Thunderbirds crept closer. A jumper by DJ Norman brought them within 59-56 with 8:43 left.

But each time Southern Utah cut the gap, the Coyotes responded. They scored five straight points after Norman's basket - on a three by Stewart and a layup by Boss - to push the lead to 64-56 with 7:29 left. The South Dakota lead never dropped below seven the rest of the way.

South Dakota will resume action Saturday, Jan. 7 at Missouri-Kansas City. Game time is 4 p.m. in Kansas City, Mo.