VERMILLION, S.D. – South Dakota women's basketball took a bit of time to shake the rust off, but found a way to pull away from Northern Colorado, earning an 80-60 win over the Bears in the WNIT Second Round Sunday in Vermillion.
 
Following Sunday's win, South Dakota head coach Carrie Eighmey announced to the crowd that the Coyotes would host their next game against the winner of Southern Utah and Pepperdine on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
 
The Coyotes fell behind 9-0 early in the first quarter, but after a timeout, the Coyotes outscored Northern Colorado 21-4 over the final 7:14 of the opening frame. Patience Williams scored the first five points of the game for USD, including a three-pointer, and Elise Turrubiates and Tori Schlagel added five each.
 
USD ballooned their lead to 11 on a Jenna Hopp lay-up plus a foul for an and-one free throw to make it 26-15. The Bears weren't going to go away easily though, chipping away at the lead until it was down to just a pair. Angelina Robles capped the half off with a layup to give the Yotes a 32-28 halftime advantage.
 
The third quarter was all Coyotes, outscoring Northern Colorado 24-12 in the period. The Bears were within one, 34-33, a minute and a half into the quarter before a 10-0 USD run gave the Yotes a 44-33 lead. Robles and Turrubiates each hit three-pointers and Hill added a pair of baskets in the run to separate the Yotes for good. USD took a 56-40 lead into the fourth.
 
Molly Joyce's first points of the game, a three-pointer nearly two minutes into the fourth quarter, stretched the USD lead to 20. A Schlagel three at the midway point of the quarter gave USD its largest lead of the game at 23.
 
Four starters tallied nine or more points, led by Robles's 21 points, her 13^th 20-point game of the season, including making three triples and going 8-for-8 at the free throw line. Turrubiates added 10 points, with Hopp and Williams pitching in nine apiece. Hill added 11 points and Schlagel 10 off the bench.
 
The Coyotes shot 47.2% from the field and 47.4% from three. USD's 9-for-19 shooting from beyond the arch matched a season-high for three-point field goal percentage. The Coyotes had 19 assists, led by five each from Robles and Turrubiates. Turrubiates also had eight rebounds, a team-high. South Dakota outrebounded Northern Colorado, marking the 22^nd time USD has won the rebound battle, and the Coyotes are now 21-1 when outrebounding their opponent.
 
Tickets will go on sale for USD's Super 16 game Monday morning. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday night inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
 
Notables
• South Dakota is 24-9 on the season and 13-3 inside the SCSC.
• South Dakota is now 15-5 in the WNIT with the win Sunday, and is 7-1 in WNIT games inside the SCSC.
• Four Coyotes scored in double figures in a game for the first time since Feb. 25 at North Dakota.
• Robles tallied her 13^th 20-point scoring game with 21.
• She is now 10^th on the single season free throws made list with 135 this year.
• The other three Coyotes in double figures were Hill (11), Turrubiates (10), and Schlagel (10).
• Turrubiates added eight rebounds and five assists.
• USD is now 21-1 when outrebounding their opponent this season.
• South Dakota is 22-2 when leading at the half this season.
• The Coyotes are 10-0 when shooting over 45% from the field and 5-0 when making at least 40% from three.
   
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