Women’s Basketball Drop Three Straight
The South Dakota women’s basketball team faced its in-state rival, South Dakota State, at First Bank & Trust Arena. The Coyotes fell to the Jackrabbits 71-61, but the game marked a milestone for Grace Larkins, who reached 2,000 career points.
The Coyotes started strong in the first half but were unable to maintain their lead in the second, allowing South Dakota State to take control. Turnovers proved to be a key factor, with SDSU forcing 22 while committing just 11.
Larkins led all scorers with 23 points, followed by Cassidy Hempe with 15 and Gabby Wilke with eight. The loss marked the Coyotes’ seventh straight defeat against the Jackrabbits.
In their next game against Omaha on Feb. 20 at Baxter Arena, the Coyotes battled the Mavericks in a closely contested matchup. USD led 41-31 at halftime, but Omaha surged ahead in the fourth quarter to secure a 71-57 victory.
Hempe paced the Coyotes with 20 points, while Larkins added 13 and Carly Duffney finished with nine. Foul trouble plagued USD, with Wilke picking up four fouls and Larkins fouling out with 3:28 remaining. The Coyotes failed to score in the final three minutes.
In their final road game of the season, the Coyotes fell to St. Thomas 66-57.
Larkins led USD with 21 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and two steals, moving her into fourth all-time in program history with 509 career assists.
The Coyotes put up 41 first-half points but struggled offensively after the break, managing just 26 in the second half. St. Thomas capitalized, erasing a 10-point deficit to claim the win.
South Dakota concludes its road schedule but returns to action against Denver on March 1. The game also serves as Senior Day, where the Coyotes will honor their four seniors.
