MALIBU, Calif. (Interstat) — Angelina Robles scored 24 points and South Dakota used a dominant third-quarter surge to pull away from Texas-Rio Grande Valley for a 71-44 victory in the Malibu Classic women’s basketball tournament on Thursday.

The Coyotes, improving to 9-4, outscored the Vaqueros 25-18 in the pivotal third period to turn a competitive game into a comfortable lead. South Dakota entered the second half with a 29-17 advantage and quickly extinguished any hopes of a UTRGV comeback with an efficient offensive display.

Robles, a guard from San Diego, led all scorers and added two assists in 33 minutes. Her backcourt partner, Molly Joyce of Algona, Iowa, provided 12 points and a game-high five assists. The Coyotes’ inside presence was bolstered by Josie Hill of Rapid City, South Dakota, who contributed eight points and three assists off the bench, and Elise Turrubiates of Hobbs, New Mexico, who added nine points.

Texas-Rio Grande Valley (4-7) struggled offensively throughout, shooting under 30 percent from the field. The Vaqueros were led by Kayla Lorenz of Seattle with nine points and Ivy Brown of Lichfield, New Zealand, with six points and two assists. Jalayah Ingram of Pearland, Texas, also scored eight points.

The most important stretch of the game came early in the third quarter. Leading 31-17, South Dakota opened the second half with a quick 6-2 run, capped by a Patience Williams layup assisted by Joyce. After a UTRGV basket, the Coyotes then unleashed a decisive 15-4 run over a five-minute span. The surge featured a three-pointer from Robles, consecutive inside scores from Hill, and another Robles three, pushing the lead to 52-31 and effectively sealing the outcome.

South Dakota controlled the game from the start, leading 16-10 after the first quarter and extending the margin to 12 by halftime. The Coyotes’ defense forced 22 UTRGV turnovers, converting them into 23 points. South Dakota also dominated in the paint, outscoring the Vaqueros 38-18.

Attendance was 78 at the neutral-site game.

UTRGV, which lost at North Dakota State on Wednesday, continues its difficult road stretch. South Dakota, which fell to Pepperdine at the same venue on Wednesday, snapped a two-game skid.

The game was part of the 2025-26 WBB Malibu Classic.

UP NEXT

Texas-Rio Grande Valley: Hosts New Orleans on Dec. 29.

South Dakota: Hosts St. Mary (California) on Dec. 30.