VERMILLION, S.D. — Grace Larkins finished one point shy of becoming the first player in program history with two 40-point games as South Dakota women’s basketball defeated North Dakota 76-66 Saturday afternoon in Vermillion.
Three weeks after setting the program record with 45 points against Omaha, Grace Larkins nearly eclipsed 40 points for a second time, pouring in 39, including three triples and 12-for-14 shooting at the free throw line. Larkins also recorded a double-double with 12 rebounds on the day. She added five steals and four assists in 40 minutes.
With her 39 points, Larkins now has 1,907 points in her Coyote career, passing Chloe Lamb for third on the all-time scoring list. With 93 points, Larkins will become the third player in USD history to score over 2,000 career points. Her 12 free throws move her to fourth in program history with 421 in her career and her five steals puts her at 196 steals in her career, the eighth most in program history.
The Coyotes led by as many as 16 in the second half, but it was a six-point game with 36 seconds remaining. After a Coyote turnover and a couple of extra possessions for North Dakota, Cassidy Carson swatted a three-point attempt from the Fighting Hawks and was fouled on the rebound to help seal the victory.
Four Coyotes scored in double figures, led by Larkins’ 39 points. Gabby Wilke tied a career-high with 13 points as she returned to the starting lineup Saturday. Carley Duffney and Cassidy Carson added 10 points each.
South Dakota won each of the first three quarters, and despite a comeback effort from the Fighting Hawks, the Coyotes survived to snap a four-game losing skid that started against UND.
Larkins went 3-for-3 in the first quarter beyond the three-point line to help put the Coyotes ahead 24-22 after one. The Yotes added seven points to the lead in the second quarter and four more in the third. The Coyotes’ longest scoring run was a 7-0 run that ended the third and started the fourth.
South Dakota is back in action Thursday at home against Oral Roberts at 7 p.m.
NOTABLES
• The Coyotes are now 10-13 on the season, 4-5 in Summit League play, and 8-5 at home.
• Larkins is now USD’s all-time leading scorer with 1,907 points after scoring 39 Saturday.
• She is also now eighth in steals and fourth in free throws made in a Coyote uniform.
• Gabby Wilke scored 13 points as she returned to the lineup, tying her career-high.
• The Coyotes had four players score in double figures for a second consecutive game.
• The 66 points allowed by the Coyotes is the first time the Coyotes allowed less than 70 since Jan. 11.
• The Coyotes are now 7-0 when allowing less than 70 points and are 8-2 when scoring 70-79 points in a game.