MALIBU, Calif. – South Dakota women's basketball lost its third straight game, a 73-65 result to Pepperdine in the Malibu Classic hosted by Pepperdine Wednesday night.
 
It was a season's best performance by Elise Turrubiates to lead the Coyotes. Turrubiates turned in a 19-point, 7-rebound showing in the loss. Turrubiates hit a career-high four three-pointers and was strong on the offensive glass with four of her seven boards coming on the offensive end.
 
The country's No. 2 field goal percentage defense was tested in the first half, as Pepperdine outscored USD in each of the first two quarters to build a six-point 35-29 halftime lead. The Waves went 5-for-6 from three in the first half and 7-for-13 in the game. USD entered play Wednesday allowing opponents to shoot just 31.1% from the field, good for second in the NCAA. The Waves shot 46% from the field in the game.

The Waves came out of the halftime break strong, stretching the lead to 14 with 6:11 to play in the third quarter. The Coyotes went on a 13-4 run to end the quarter to make it 51-46 after three. Robles scored the final five points of the quarter for USD, including a three-pointer at the buzzer.
 
Turrubiates scored to start the fourth quarter to make it a three-point game, but Pepperdine went on a 7-0 run over the next 3:35 to take a 10-point lead and didn't look back from there. The Coyotes were able to go on a quick 4-0 run to make it 65-60 with 1:24, but again, Pepperdine had the answer.
 
Along with Turrubiates' 19 points, Robles added 13 points and Patience Williams 11 in the loss. Williams also had eight rebounds. Tori Schlagel put up nine points and five rebounds off the bench. While the Waves outrebounded South Dakota overall 43-36, USD won the offensive rebound battle 13-7. The Coyotes also won the turnover battle by forcing the Waves into 17 turnovers while committing just seven of their own.
 
The Coyotes will regroup and look to snap a three-game losing skid Thursday afternoon when they face UTRGV at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu.
 
NOTABLES
• South Dakota is 8-4 on the season and 3-3 on the road.
• South Dakota is now 0-2 all-time against Pepperdine.
• Turrubiates scored in double figures for a fourth straight game, totaling a season-high 19 points and adding seven rebounds.
• She also hit a career-high four three-pointers for USD.
• Robles returned to double-digits in scoring (10^th time this season), totaled 13 points and three steals.
• Williams poured in 11 points and snatched a team-high eight rebounds. She also blocked two shots.
• Schlagel totaled nine points and five rebounds.
• Coyotes committed a season-low seven turnovers.
   
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