ST. PAUL, MINN. – South Dakota women's basketball never trailed in a 72-65 win over St. Thomas Saturday afternoon at Schoenecker Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota.
 
Angelina Robles got the scoring started with a three pointer at the 9:07 mark of the first quarter, and the Coyotes never relinquished the lead from there. Robles recorded her sixth 20-point scoring game of the season, totaling 21 points, including three three-pointers and six from the free throw line.
 
The Coyotes led 18-10 after one quarter, holding St. Thomas to 25% shooting in the quarter. Josie Hill totaled 10 first half points, including a turnaround floater at the buzzer to stretch the Coyote lead to 11 to end the first half. USD held St. Thomas to just 1-for-6 from three and 9-of-29 from the field in the first half. South Dakota led 33-22 after the first 20 minutes of play.
 
The two sides shot a combined eight free throws in the first half as both sides defended without fouling well. In the third quarter, the foul count started to pile up as both teams attempted over 10 free throws in the third quarter alone. USD, the Summit League's top free throw shooting team, went 11-for-12 from the line in the third, and while St. Thomas was 7-of-10 at the stripe, the converted 8-of-14 attempts from the floor to close the Coyote lead to five, 53-48, heading into the fourth.
 
Molly Joyce was a big piece of the Coyote offense in the second half of the win, totaling 17 points, and was automatic at the free throw line, going 8-for-8 from the line. The Coyotes stretched the lead back out to nine in the fourth quarter, going 6-for-6 at the free throw line and converting 50% (6-12) of their shot attempts. Robles also totaled 12 of her 21 points in the second half of the game.
 
Coming off a rough offensive output Thursday night, turning the ball over a season-high 21 times, South Dakota took better care of the ball Saturday, committing just nine turnovers. The Coyotes also were more efficient from the field in Saturday's victory, shooting 41.4% from the field and 35.7% from three. The Yote defense was better against St. Thomas as well, holding the Tommies to 39% from the floor and 29.4% from three.
 
Robles and Joyce scored 21 points apiece, marking the first time since Jan. 4, 2025 at Oral Roberts (Larkins and Hempe) that two Coyotes scored 20+ points in the same game. Robles added six assists and five rebounds. Joyce pitched in three assists and three steals. Hill matched a season-high with 14 points, making 6-of-8 shots from the field.
 
South Dakota is now 12-5 on the season, passing last season's win total (11), and is 2-1 in conference play for the second consecutive season. The Coyotes will look to go 3-1 to open Summit League play when they host North Dakota Wednesday at 7 p.m.
 
NOTABLES
• South Dakota is 12-5 on the season, 5-3 on the road, and 2-1 in Summit League play.
• South Dakota is now 8-2 all-time against St. Thomas, including 4-1 in St. Paul.
• Molly Joyce had her third straight 20-point scoring game, pouring in 21 points.
• Angelina Robles also tallied 21 points, her sixth 20-point game of the season and first of conference play.
• Josie Hill scored in double figures for a fourth time this season, and a 49^th time in her career, matching her season high with 14 points.
• Saturday was South Dakota's first win that was not won by exactly one point or more than 20.    
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