VERMILLION, S.D. – All five starters scored in double figures, led by Grace Larkins' 18 points, as the Coyotes defeated Mount Marty 78-74 Wednesday night inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
 
Grace Larkins finished an assist shy of a triple-double, totaling 18 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. It was her fifth double-double of the season. Alexi Hempe (16 points), Carley Duffney (14), Adara Groman (13), and Gabby Wilke (12) also scored in double figures. The Coyotes attempted 45 three-pointers, sinking 14 of them in the victory.
 
The three-point attack started early, as 12 of the 17 shots in the first quarter for the Coyotes came from beyond the arc. The Coyotes built a halftime 41-34 advantage led by Wilke and Hempe with nine points apiece, all from beyond the three-point line.
 
The Coyotes built a 17-point lead early in the third quarter, including an 8-0 scoring run. The Lancers responded, closing the gap to five with 10 minutes to play. South Dakota would hang on to the advantage in the fourth to seal a win.
 
The Coyotes (5-8) are back in action Friday against South Dakota Mines at 7 p.m. inside the SCSC.
 
NOTABLES
• The Coyotes improve to 5-8 on the season and 4-3 at home.
• South Dakota has won 15 straight against the Lancers dating back to the 1998-99 season.
• Grace Larkins now has five double-doubles this season and 19^th of her career following an 18-point, 10 rebound performance.
• Adara Groman reached a new season-high with 13 points in the win.
• Gabby Wilke's four made three-pointers is the most she has had in a game in a Coyote uniform.
• 15 of Alexi Hempe's 16 points came from beyond the arc as she hit 5-of-9 three-point attempts in the win.
• The Coyotes had five players in double figures in a single game for the first time since they did it on January 5, 2023 against North Dakota.
• The Coyotes scored 24 points off 19 Mount Marty turnovers.
• South Dakota managed 19 assists on 24 made field goals, the most assists in a game for the Coyotes this season.
• USD had just seven turnovers, the fewest by the Yotes in a game this year.
• The Coyotes led for all but 14 seconds of the game.