FARGO, N.D. – Grace Larkins became the first player in South Dakota women’s basketball history to record two 40-point games, scoring a program and Summit League record 47 points in USD’s 75-65 loss at North Dakota State Saturday afternoon.
Playing 39 minutes, Larkins scored 47 points on 17-of-27 shooting and 11-of-12 at the charity stripe. She also had eight rebounds. Larkins broke Mandy Koupal’s single game scoring record of 40 points nearly a month ago against Omaha by pouring in 45, and she reset it with her 47 Saturday afternoon.
The Coyotes got the early jump on the Bison, opening up an 18-12 lead after one and a 34-31 lead at the intermission. Larkins had 21 of the team’s 34 points at the break, and played a majority of the second quarter with two fouls.
Much like Thursday’s game against Oral Roberts, the Coyotes’ opponent had a hot start to the third quarter to swing momentum. NDSU outscored South Dakota 26-16 in the quarter to take the lead heading into the fourth.
The Coyotes were able to keep NDSU without a field goal for the final 3:43 of the game, but it was not enough as the NDSU defense clamped down on Larkins and the Yotes to seal a Bison victory.
Outside of Larkins’ record breaking performance, Carley Duffney scored six points and Gabby Wilke had five.
Larkins, with Koupal, the program’s all-time leading scorer, in attendance Saturday, now has 10 games of 30 or more points and two 40-point games. Koupal has more 30-point games than any Coyote in school history with 20. Larkins has 1,967 points in her career, the third most in school history.
The Coyotes are back at home Wednesday against Kansas City for the program’s annual Pink Game. Jerseys 10, 21, 33, and 41 are up for auction. You can find more info on GoYotes.com.
NOTABLES
• The Coyotes are now 10-15 on the season, 4-7 in conference play, and 1-7 in road games.
• Grace Larkins broke USD and the Summit League’s single game scoring record with 47 points.
• Larkins now has two 40-point games in her career, both coming this season.
• She needs just 33 points to become the program’s third 2,000-point scorer.
• Larkins also had eight rebounds in the loss.
• The Coyotes are now 9-3 with leading at the half.