VERMILLION, S.D. – For the second straight season, South Dakota opened its women’s basketball season with a win over the York Panthers, picking up a 95-38 win Monday night inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
Four Coyotes scored in double figures Monday night, two starters and two players off the bench. Molly Joyce was USD’s leading scorer with 15 points on 4-of-7 shooting. Three Coyotes totaled 11 points: Tori Schlagel, Ava Miller, and Gabby Jackson.
South Dakota gave up the first basket of the game, a three-pointer for the Panthers, then proceeded to go on a 17-0 run to open up a 17-3 lead with 2:48 to go in the first quarter. Jackson capped the run off with back to back layups, and after a York triple ended the 17-0 run, Jackson responded with a three-pointer of her own on the next Coyote possession. The Coyote lead was 27-10 after one.
The middle two quarters were much of the same for the Coyotes, who shot an even 50% (19-38) from the field in the second and third quarter to open up a 78-28 lead after three. The Coyotes cooled off a bit in the fourth, scoring 17 points compared to 25-plus in the first three, but still extended the lead to 57 when things were wrapped up.
All twelve active players for South Dakota scored in the win, and 10 of them made two or more baskets. For the game, South Dakota shot 46.1% (35-76) from the field and 33.3% (7-21) from three.
On the defensive end, 11 Coyotes recorded a steal and as a team, they forced 33 turnovers. The Coyotes grabbed 52 rebounds, led by Miller’s 11, giving her a double-double on the night. York was held to 25% (13-52) shooting from the floor.
Next up for the Coyotes is a second home game, this time an Education Day 11 a.m. tip-off against UTRGV Friday. The Coyotes and Vaqueros met in Malibu, Calif. last season, a 71-44 win for the Coyotes.
NOTABLES
• South Dakota improves to 1-0 on the season and 1-0 at home.
• The Coyotes are now 39-17 in season openers, including winning their last two.
• The Coyotes improve to 123-18 inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
• Monday was South Dakota’s 50th regular season non-conference win in the SCSC.
• The Coyotes are now 11-0 under head coach Carrie Eighmey when allowing less than 50 points.
• All 12 Coyotes scored, including four in double figures.
• Molly Joyce led the Coyotes with 15 points, joined in double digits by Tori Schlagel, Gabby Jackson, and Ava Miller, all with 11.
• Ava Miller recorded the first double-double of the season for South Dakota with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
• The Coyotes outrebounded York 52-29 and forced 33 turnovers.
• The 33 turnovers forced is the most by the Coyotes in the Carrie Eighmey era.