VERMILLION, S.D. – South Dakota hosted their second Education Day game Friday morning, running away with a 75-50 win over Air Force inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.

USD avenged a loss from a season ago and move to 2-0 on the season. Last season in Colorado, the Falcons pulled out a 73-66 win. This season, it was the Coyotes who took control in the second half and cruised to a victory.
 
The fourth quarter proved to be where the Coyotes made their separation. South Dakota surged in the fourth quarter, scoring 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting while holding Air Force to just 9 points. Williams contributed with six points and four rebounds. Schlagel added a crucial three-pointer at 6:13, assisted by Elise Turrubiates, to widen the gap to double-digits. The Coyotes dominated inside the paint, accumulating 18 points, while also converting all five of their free throw attempts.
 
Paint touches was the key for the Yotes Friday morning, as they scored 54 of their 75 points in the paint, including 18 of 19 points in the first quarter. USD turned defense into offense in the first quarter, creating seven Air Force turnovers, scoring seven points off those turnovers. Patience Williams, despite playing just five minutes in the first half due to foul trouble, had three steals, all in the first quarter, to give the Coyotes fast break opportunities.
 
Angelina Robles was the offensive star for the Yotes Friday, and that was on full display in the first half. She scored nine points in the opening frame, including a layup and a free throw with 22 seconds remaining. The quarter concluded with South Dakota leading 19–10.
 
Air Force outscored South Dakota in the second quarter by 3, but after briefly being tied at 26, South Dakota outscored the Falcons by six over the final two and a quarter minutes. Robles buried a three-pointer, followed by Molly Joyce jumper and a Tori Schlagel three-pointer to give the Yotes a lead at the intermission. USD held steady in the third quarter before cruising to the win in the fourth.
 
Angelina Robles led South Dakota with 22 points, converting 10-of-14 field goals. Williams posted 14 points and collected nine rebounds, including four on the offensive end. Molly Joyce contributed 11 points, going 5-for-7 and securing two rebounds. Schlagel added 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while also recording two steals.
 
South Dakota has one more home game before hitting the road as it hosts Buena Vista Monday night.
 
NOTABLES
• South Dakota is 2-0 on the season and 2-0 at home.
• USD is now 2-1 vs Air Force in program history.
• The Coyotes improve to 8-6 all-time against the Mountain West and snap a three-game losing streak against the conference as a whole.
• South Dakota is 2-0 on Education Day in the SCSC.
• Robles recorded her sixth career 20-point game and first as a Yote, pouring in 22 points (one shy of a career-high) on 10-of-14 shooting.
• Four Coyotes scored in double figures for the first time since USD's win against North Dakota on Feb. 1, 2025.
• Patience Williams finished a rebound shy of a double-double, totaling 14 points and 9 rebounds in 23 minutes.
• Tori Schlagel had her first double-digit scoring effort as a collegiate athlete, pouring in 12 points.
• Molly Joyce scored in double figures for the first time as a Yote, totaling 11 points on 5-of-7 from the floor.
• The Yotes out-rebounded their opponent for a second straight game, beating Air Force on the glass with 38 rebounds to the Falcons' 25.
• Elise Turrubiates was not the scoring threat she was Monday, but still found ways to be productive in the win, totaling four rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block.
• South Dakota shot over 57% from the field, their second straight game over 50% shooting.
• South Dakota is now 6-0 under head coach Carrie Eighmey when holding their opponent to less than 60 points.
• USD is also 77-0 inside the SCSC when their opponent is held under 60 points.  
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