SALT LAKE CITY – Four of the Utes starters reached double-digit point totals as the Pac-12's Utah took down South Dakota 66-59 inside the Huntsman Center Friday night.
Utah (1-0) went on a 9-2 run in a three-minute span in the fourth quarter to seal a win in their season opener. South Dakota (0-1) led by as much as six in the middle of the third quarter, but had eight missed baskets, a turnover, and committed two fouls down the stretch.
The game featured seven ties and lead changes. Neither team led by more than eight points throughout the four quarters.
Utah's Malia Nawahine led the way with 18 points, including a trio of baskets to help secure the win in the game's final minutes. Emily Potter recorded a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Tanaeya Boclair scored 13 points while Danielle Rodriguez added 10 more for the Utes.
With the help of Potter's 6-foot-6 frame, the Utes outshot the Coyotes 24-10 in the paint. Potter also had four of Utah's six blocks.
South Dakota junior
Caitlin Duffy led the Coyotes with 20 points, hitting four 3-pointers, in her first game in a Coyote uniform. She also added eight boards.
When the Coyotes extended its lead to six in the middle of the third quarter it was off of one of senior
Kelly Stewart's two 3-pointers. Stewart had 13 points for the Coyotes.
Senior
Tia Hemiller totaled nine points, six assists, and six rebounds.
South Dakota shot just 31.3 percent (20-64) from the field. Under Williams, the Coyotes have a 29-36 record when shooting less than .450.
Utah's 9-2 run following the final media timeout of the game was led by a pair of free throws and a jumper by Rodriguez, while Nawahine hit two baskets for five points during the stretch.
Junior
Jasmine Trimboli swished a pair of threes, including the Coyotes' final basket of the night. Her bucket brought the score within five points with 30 seconds remaining.
A strategic foul and a pair of made free throws by Utah's Boclair ran out the clock as the Utes finished the game 66-59.
South Dakota travels to Cedar Falls, Iowa, to face Northern Iowa Tuesday at 7 p.m.
