Coyotes Triumph Over Tommies in Thrilling Home Conference Debut

VERMILLION, S.D. — A breakout night for Grace Larkins and a solid defensive performance by the Coyotes propelled them over St. Thomas, 77-60, Thursday evening at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion.
 
Larkins achieved her 22^nd career double-double and eighth of the season by matching a career-high of 34 points while also grabbing 12 rebounds. She contributed eight assists and two steals.
 
The Coyotes surged to an eight-point margin in the first quarter, seizing the lead from St. Thomas around the middle of the opening period and maintaining it. Larkins ignited the game with 11 points in the first quarter, including a three-pointer at the buzzer to extend the lead to eight, 22-14.
 
By halftime, the Coyotes expanded their advantage to 16, with Larkins contributing another 11 points in the quarter. Gabby Wilke registered a pair of three-pointers, totaling six points at the break, and ended the game with eight points.
 
From that point on, the Coyotes cruised to victory, inflating the lead to 20 points several times. They shot at a 49% rate. On the other hand, the South Dakota defense restricted St. Thomas to merely 33% shooting from the field and 23% from three-point range.
 
Beyond Larkins’ third successive double-double and fourth consecutive game scoring 20+ points, Adara Groman contributed 11 points, including five early in the first quarter for the Yotes. In her third game back from injury, Cassidy Carson posted a season-high of 10 points in 21 minutes of play, along with five rebounds, equaling a career best.
 
Larkins continues to ascend the record books as her senior season and remarkable Coyote career draws to a close. Already ranked within the top 10 in points, rebounds, assists, and free throws made, Larkins has now entered the top 10 in career steals with two.
 
She also ascended a position in each of the other categories where she is already listed among the top 10. Currently, she is tied for sixth in career points (1,746) with Hannah Sjerven, tied for eighth in career rebounds (758) with Margaret McCloud, seventh in career assists (433), and fifth in career free throws made (391).
 
The Coyotes remain at home, facing Omaha Saturday afternoon for the annual Alumni Game. South Dakota and Omaha are set for a 1 p.m. start in Vermillion.
 
KEY POINTS
• The Coyotes hold a season record of 8-9, 6-3 at home, and 2-1 in Summit League competition.
• Larkins’ 34 points represent her third 30-point outing of the season and the seventh in her career.
• She has delivered 20-plus points in 11 of USD’s 17 games this season and has recorded double-figure scoring in all 17 contests.
• She currently ranks fifth in free throws made, tied for sixth in points, seventh in assists, tied for eighth in rebounds, and tied for 10^th in steals while wearing a USD uniform.
• Larkins is just 13 points shy of reaching the next milestone in career points at 1,759. The Coyote Hall of Famer at that mark is one of her assistant coaches, Amber (Hegge) Cunningham. 
• Cassidy Carson achieved her second career double-digit scoring game on Thursday, amassing 10 points and tying her career-high with five rebounds.
• USD’s record stands at 8-2 when leading at halftime and 7-1 when boasting a superior shooting percentage compared to their opponent.
• USD is also 6-1 when committing the same or fewer turnovers than their opponent and remains unbeaten at 5-0 when keeping their opponent under 70 points.
• The Coyotes have now recorded a perfect 3-0 on Thursdays.