by VERMILLION, S.D. – Four Coyotes score in double figures, two record double-doubles, and the South Dakota women’s basketball program rebounded with a 67-55 win over St. Thomas Wednesday night in Vermillion.
South Dakota got strong performances from the starting five who totaled 63 of the team’s 67 points. Angelina Robles was the enforcer in the first half, totaling 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer to make it 42-21 at the intermission. It’s her seventh 20-point scoring game this season and moves her to 20 points away from 1,000 in her collegiate career as she stands at 980.
With Patience Williams out of the lineup Wednesday night, Josie Hill earned her first start as a Coyote. She totaled 11 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 30 minutes. She went 5-for-6 from the field. Hill is closing in on 1,000 career points herself, now at 970 points in her career.
The Coyotes and Tommies went back and forth in the first quarter, with USD holding a slim 20-15 lead. Robles started 5-for-5 from the field, including 2-for-2 from three. The Coyotes put the game out of hand with a 14-0 run from the lasting nearly six-and-a-half minutes, putting the Coyotes up 18. Robles’ three to end the have gave her 20 points and the Yotes a 42-21 halftime lead.
The South Dakota defense was suffocating in the second quarter, forcing St. Thomas to 0-of-8 from three. In the first half overall, the Tommies shot 2-of-15 from three for 13.3%.
The third quarter looked more like the first from the Tommies, who found a little rhythm on offense. The Coyotes withstood the storm, building their largest lead of the game of 26 points with 2:07 to go in the quarter. The Tommies mounted a fourth quarter comeback, outscoring South Dakota 19-6, but the damage was done as the Coyotes held on to the lead for their 16th win of the season.
Robles led all scorers with 20 points and added three assists. Elise Turrubiates had one of her best games of the season, totaling 14 points and a career-high 15 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. She also totaled three steals. Hill’s 11-point, 10-rebound double-double is the second of the season for her, and 20th of her career. Jenna Hopp had a quiet 10 points and six rebounds.
The Coyotes shot 43.3% from the field, including 6-of-17 from three, in the win. South Dakota’s third ranked field goal percentage defense in the NCAA (33.0%) held the Tommies to just 31.6% from the field and 19.2% (5-of-26) from three.
