MALIBU, Calif. – The Coyote women's basketball program snapped a three-game losing skid with a 71-44 win over UTRGV Thursday evening inside Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu, Calif.
 
It had been a quiet last couple of games for Angelina Robles, but she returned to form Thursday, pouring in 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including sinking four three-pointers. She added three rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
 
The Coyotes outscored the Vaqueros in each quarter of the win, holding UTRGV to just 22.4% shooting from the field, compared to nearly 45% for the Coyotes. After a back-and-forth first 15 minutes of the game, an 11-0 run to close the first half by USD put the Coyotes up 12 at the break and they never looked back.
 
The scoring run extended into the third quarter after three converted baskets from the Yotes made it a 17-0 run and a 35-17 lead. Robles hit back-to-back three-pointers to give USD a 49-29 lead with 2:21 to play in the third. USD's largest lead was 29, 67-38, when Alex Flattery converted a layup with 4:09 to go to force a timeout.
 
As a team, USD shot 30-for-67 from the field (44.8%) and hit six three-pointers in the game. The Coyotes snatched 49 rebounds, including 15 offensive, to win the rebound battle by 12. USD forced 13 turnovers with 11 steals. Forty of USD's 71 points came in the paint.
 
Outside of Robles, Molly Joyce poured in 12 points, adding five assists and three rebounds. Josie Hill had a team-high 10 rebounds, pitching in eight points and three assists. Flattery didn't get in the scoring column much (four points), but she secured nine rebounds and three steals while forcing UTRGV's leading scorer, Jalayah Ingram, to just eight points on 2-of-11 shooting. Patience Williams contributed eight points and nine rebounds and Elise Turrubiates nine points and seven rebounds.
 
The Coyotes have one final non-conference game as they host College of Saint Mary Tuesday, December 30 at 2 p.m.
 
NOTABLES
• South Dakota is 9-4 on the season and 1-0 in neutral site games.
• South Dakota is now 3-2 all-time against UTRGV.
• Robles recorded a season-high 24 points, her sixth 20-point scoring game this season. Also her 11^th double digit scoring game of the season.
• Joyce scored 12 points, her eighth double digit scoring game of the season. She also tied a season-high with five assists.
• Hill contributed eight points and 10 rebounds.
• Williams added eight points and nine rebounds.
   
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