VERMILLION, S.D. –  It was a battle to the buzzer, but the South Dakota women's basketball team earned an 84-79 victory over Northern Arizona in the Big Sky-Summit Challenge Saturday morning inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
 
Four Coyotes score in double figures for the second time this season (11/27 vs. Arizona State). Grace Larkins paced the Coyotes with 21 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Gabby Wilke had 11 first-half points and 13 for the game to record a new career-high. She also had four rebounds in each half to total a career best eight boards.
 
After a balanced third quarter that saw USD increase their lead by one. The Lumberjacks battled back early in the fourth quarter, and took a 70-69 lead with 3:01 to play. In the final two minutes of play, Olivia Kieffer buried three-pointers on three straight possessions to help the Coyotes secure the victory. Kieffer scored 15 points and went 4-for-4 from beyond the arc in the second half.
 
Carley Duffney added 16 points and nine rebounds for the Coyotes. Duffney has recorded nine rebounds in three games this season. Coral Mason had eight rebounds to go with eight points.
 
The Coyotes shot 47% from the field and 46% from three. The Coyotes shot 65% in the second quarter alone, including making 5-of-7 from beyond the arc to score 27 points in the quarter. It's the most points scored in a quarter for the Coyotes this season.
 
South Dakota is back on the road for the final time of non-conference Tuesday as the Coyotes take on Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa at 6 p.m.
 
NOTABLES
• The Coyotes improve to 4-6 on the season, and 3-2 at home.
• For the second straight season, USD goes 1-1 in the Big Sky-Summit Challenge after winning at home Saturday and losing at Montana State Wednesday.
• The Coyotes are now 4-2 when leading at the half this season.
• Saturday is the first time this season the Coyotes had more turnovers than their opponent (8-7) but found a way to prevail.
• South Dakota is now 3-2 in day games, including being 3-1 in games that start at 11 a.m.
• This is South Dakota's first win in games decided by five or less points, being 0-2 prior to Saturday.
• For the second time this season, four Coyotes scored in double figures, led by Grace Larkins with 21 points.
• Gabby Wilke had a breakout game for the Yotes, scoring 13 points, 11 in the first half, and added eight rebounds.
• Wilke's 13 points and eight rebounds set new career highs.
• Carley Duffney added 16 points and nine rebounds. The nine rebounds tie a career-high.
• Olivia Kieffer buried three three-pointers in the final two minutes, totaling 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting and 4-of-4 from three.
• Coral Mason racked up eight points and eight rebounds.
• The Coyotes improve to 4-0 against Northern Arizona and go 1-1 in the Big Sky-Summit Challenge for the second straight season.
• The Coyotes get season-highs in points in a quarter (27) and made field goals (32) and tied a season low for turnovers with eight.