VERMILLION, S.D. – South Dakota women's basketball earned an 85-44 win over Valparaiso Friday night, and is now 6-0 for the first time since the 2002-03 season.
 
The Coyotes jumped out to a 23-5 lead in the first, closing the quarter on a 13-0 run, and didn't look back. Valparaiso won the second quarter 13-9, but it was all Coyotes from there. The Coyotes outscored the Beacons 53-26 in the second half.
 
Patience Williams finished a point shy of a double-double in the first half, totaling nine points and 11 rebounds. Williams finished with 13 points and 16 rebounds in the game. She is one of four players in Division I with two games of 15-plus rebounds.
 
All 13 Coyotes who appeared in Friday's game scored, and all of them scored in the second half. USD shot 48.8% from the field (21-43) in the second half and scored 38 points in the paint. Molly Joyce scored all 11 of her points in the second half, going 4-for-6 in the half.

Elise Turrubiates didn't miss a shot in the second half, scoring seven points on three shots, and finished with her second straight double-double. She totaled 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Coyotes finished the game shooting 44% (33-75) from the field.
 
Defensively, the Coyotes were able to hold Valpo to 26.2% (17-65) shooting, including just 2-for-22 from three. the Beacons committed 19 turnovers and USD scored 25 points off those turnovers. On the season, USD is holding its opponents to 29.9% shooting and is forcing 19.2 turnovers per game.

Four Coyotes scored in double figures for the fourth time in six games so far this season. Williams and Turrubiates paced the offense with 13 points apiece, and each had a double-double with 16 and 10 rebounds respectively. Turrubiates had five offensive rebounds and both players had two blocks in the game.
 
Angelina Robles and Joyce scored 11 points apiece. Robles added five rebounds and five assists. She has scored in double figures in five straight games. Josie Hill added eight points off the bench and Jenna Hopp contributed seven points and four assists. All 13 Coyotes scored and grabbed at least one rebound. USD scored 54 points in the paint and had 35 points from the bench. They never trailed in the game.

South Dakota set a Sanford Coyote Sports Center women's basketball single game record with 62 rebounds. The previous most was 59 by USD against Bellevue on Nov. 16, 2022. It's the second SCSC record set by the Yotes this season, setting the record for blocks in a game against York (12).
 
The Coyotes will look to continue their hot start to the season Tuesday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center. Tuesday's game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
 
NOTABLES
• South Dakota is 6-0 on the season and 4-0 at home.
• The 6-0 start is the best start to a season in USD's Division I era and is the best start since the 2002-03 season.
• USD is now 4-0 all-time against Valparaiso and 3-0 in Vermillion.
• Three or more Coyotes have scored in double figures in every game this season.
• Four or more Coyotes have scored 10-plus points in four of USD's six games this season.
• Friday's game is the third time in six games that every Coyote who appeared in the game scored.
• Williams led the Coyotes with 13 points and 16 rebounds.
• Its Williams' first career double-double, and she is one of four Division I players with two games of 15-plus rebounds.
• Turrubiates had her third career double-double, second straight game with a double-double, totaling 13 points and 10 rebounds.
• Robles scored in double figures for a fifth straight game, scoring 11 points. She added five rebounds and five assists.
• Molly Joyce scored in double figures as well with 11 points.
• Every Coyote secured a rebound as the team set the SCSC record for rebounds by a team in a women's basketball game with 62.
• USD is now 8-0 when holding their opponent under 60 points during Carrie Eighmey's tenure.
• The Coyotes are 79-0 in the SCSC when holding their opponent under 60 points.
   
Stay up to date with all things Coyote Women's Basketball by following South Dakota Women's Basketball on Facebook /SDCoyotesWBB, X (Twitter) @SDCoyotesWBB, and Instagram @sdcoyotesWBB! #GoYotes