VERMILLION, S.D. -- Senior Amber Hegge recorded her eighth double-double of the season to help the South Dakota women's basketball team outlast Missouri-Kansas City, 60-54, in Summit League action Saturday night at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D. The Coyotes improved to 15-6 overall and 7-5 in the Summit League with their fifth straight win, while UMKC dropped to 15-9 overall and 6-6 in the league.

South Dakota was once in ninth place in the conference but the team's five-game winning streak has moved them up the standings. The Coyotes also took over sole possession of third place in the Summit League, one game ahead of UMKC and Oakland.

Hegge (Crofton, Neb.) had 27 points and 11 rebounds to pace the Coyote attack. She was 8-of-13 from the field and 11-of-15 from the free-throw line. She also added four assists and three blocks. Senior Annie Roche (Vermillion, S.D.) added 10 points and four rebounds, while junior Tempestt Wilson (Elk River, Minn.) added nine points and five rebounds. Junior Alexis Yackley (Onida, S.D.) added five assists.

The Coyotes survived a UMKC rally and frigid shooting in the second half to record their ninth home win of 2011-12. They led 41-27 at halftime after shooting a blistering 57.7 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes. However, the shooting went cold in the second half, as the Coyotes hit just 18.5 percent (5-of-27) field goals, including 1-of-11 (9.1 percent) from three-point range.

UMKC cut the double-digit lead to three with 2:16 left after Ashli Hill hit a jumper. However, Hegge's free-throw shooting in the final minutes proved invaluable, as she went 6-of-6 from the line in the final 1:01 to help the Coyotes hold on.

UMKC cut the lead to 56-54 on a three by Eilise O'Connor, but Hegge responded with four straight free throws in the final 26 seconds to help the Coyotes preserve their lead -- and the win

South Dakota got off to a torrid start from the field, hitting seven of its first eight shots, on its way to a 16-4 lead in the first 4:52 of the contest. Wilson hit a pair of threes during that opening stretch, while senior center Jodie Boss (Columbus, Neb.) had four points.

UMKC cut the lead to six with 8:29, but the Coyotes pushed the lead back into double digits at 35-23 after freshman Kelly Stewart (Amery, Wis.) drained a pair of free throws.

The Coyotes led 41-27 at halftime, shooting 57.7 percent (15-of-26) from the field, including 4-of-5 from three-point range. UMKC shot just 34.5 percent in the first half, including 0-of-6 from three-point range.

For the game, the Coyotes shot 37.7 percent (20-of-53), while holding UMKC to 32.3 percent (20-of-62). South Dakota held the Kangaroos to 18 points under their season scoring average.

UMKC had a 44-36 edge in rebounds in the game. Both teams took care of the ball, with the Coyotes committing only eight turnovers and UMKC committing nine.

South Dakota resumes its homestand Tuesday against Nebraska-Omaha in a nonconference contest. Game time is 7 p.m. at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.

Notes: With one block, Boss extended her streak to games with a block to 39...Yackley now has at least one assist in 32 straight games...Hegge now has five double-doubles in the Coyotes' last seven games...Coyote head coach Ryun Williams was honored prior to the game with a game ball for earning his 300th win, a feat he accomplished in the win over IUPUI on Jan. 23.