SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A dominant middle quarters and stifling defense boosted South Dakota to a 61-50 over Denver in the Summit League Quarterfinals at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center Friday afternoon.
 
Angelina Robles and Patience Williams were the senior leaders the Coyotes have relied on all season, as Robles tallied a game-high 21 points and Williams added 16 points and eight rebounds. The Coyotes shot 44.2% from the field and 33.3% from three in the win.
 
Defensively, the Coyotes found a way to keep Denver in check through three quarters, holding the Pioneers to 29 points on 23% shooting from the field and 12.5% from three. The Pioneers committed 16 turnovers for the game, but cleaned things up in the fourth to keep things interesting.
 
South Dakota had a balanced attack in the first quarter and a 7-0 run to take a 15-9 lead was a big part of the reason USD took a lead into the second. The Pioneers closed the quarter strong, cutting the lead in half and holding the Coyotes off the scoreboard for the final 94 seconds of the quarter.
 
An 18-7 second quarter in favor of South Dakota helped USD hold a 33-19 halftime advantage. After the Pioneers got within one at the 8:34 mark of the second, USD sprinted on an 11-0 run with seven points coming at the free throw line to lead 26-14. The Pioneers didn't score for over five minutes as USD built their lead. Patience Williams and Angelina Robles totaled 10 points each in the opening 20 minutes.

South Dakota went on an 11-4 run to open the third quarter with eight of the 11 being scored by Robles. USD's largest lead was 22 points, coming on a free throw from Molly Joyce, who finished with seven points. Denver tried to make things interesting in the fourth quarter, slowly chipping away on the Coyote lead, but were unable to build enough momentum to get within single digits.
 
Josie Hill added eight points and seven rebounds off the bench in the win. Elise Turrubiates had six rebounds and four assists for the Yotes.
 
The Coyotes turn their attention to Saturday's semifinals, where they will get a chance to bounce back from a loss to end the regular season just one week ago. South Dakota and South Dakota State will face off 25 minutes following the conclusion of the North Dakota State-St. Thomas semifinal that begins at noon. The Yotes and Jacks met in Brookings one week ago, with SDSU coming away with the win to split the season series after USD earned the win on their home court on Jan. 31.
 
NOTABLES
• South Dakota is 23-8 on the season and 2-0 at a neutral site.
• The Coyotes are now 24-9 at the Summit League Tournament, 3-1 as a No. 3 seed, and 11-3 in the quarterfinals.
• Angelina Robles tallied her 12^th 20-point scoring game of the season with her 21 Friday afternoon.
• Patience Williams scored in double figures for a ninth time this season with her 16 points.
• South Dakota outrebounded Denver 34-29, making the Coyotes 20-1 when outrebounding their opponent.
• The Coyotes are 16-0 when holding their opponent under 60 points this season.
   
Stay up to date with all things Coyote Women's Basketball by following South Dakota Women's Basketball on Facebook /SDCoyotesWBB, X (Twitter) @SDCoyotesWBB, and Instagram @sdcoyotesWBB! #GoYotes