VERMILLION, S.D.—South Dakota christened its new facility, the Sanford Coyote Sports Center, with a 78-72 win against Bowling Green Sunday before a crowd of 3,017. It was the second win in three days for the Coyotes (2-0) who are off to their best start since 2007. Bowling Green of the MAC fell to 0-2.
 
South Dakota outscored Bowling Green 16-5 during the final five minutes of the second half. The Coyotes held the Falcons to 1 of 10 shooting down the stretch while closing out the game by hitting 10 of 14 free throws. Trey Burch-Manning put the game out of reach with a pair of free throws with 16 seconds left that put the Coyotes ahead 77-72.
 
It was a back-and-forth contest throughout. Bowling Green led 20-13 12 minutes in. The Coyotes closed the first half on a 10-0 run and began the second half on a 9-2 spurt to lead 42-29. The Falcons flew back in front to lead 67-62 with five minutes to go. But it was the Coyotes who flourished down the stretch.
 
Burch-Manning had 14 points and 11 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double. Carlton Hurst, whose fast-break slam over a defender, broke a 55-55 tie with 8:28 left, had 13 points. Tyler Flack swatted six shots, two shy of his career high, and had 12 points. Trey Dickerson scored nine of his 10 points in the first half to help put USD ahead 33-27 at the break.
 
Rasheed Worrell came off the bench to lead Bowling Green with 14 points. Wes Alcegaire has 12 points and six rebounds. Ismail Ali had 11 points to go with six assists.
 
Both teams knocked down six triples, had six steals and 12 turnovers. Bowling Green used 15 offensive rebounds to get 23 points. The Coyotes boasted a 24-14 edge from the free-throw line.
 
Mooney hit back-to-back jumpers to put the Coyotes in front 71-69 with two minutes to go. Alcegaire answered with a pair of free throws to knot the game at 71-71 with 1:35 remaining, but picked up his fifth foul and Triston Simpson made both freebies to put USD back in front for good. Simpson made another pair with 32 ticks left to extend the lead to 75-71.
 
Ali made 1 of 2 from the line with 28 seconds left to make it a one-possession game and Bowling Green had a possession to inch closer. But Hurst blocked Ali's shot at the rim and Burch-Manning rebounded, was fouled, and made both free throws.
 
The Coyotes stay home to host Presentation Wednesday and Doane Thursday. Both games start at 7 p.m.