VERMILLION, S.D. (Interstat) — South Dakota built a massive first-quarter lead and never trailed, defeating Pepperdine 73-57 in a nonconference women’s basketball game Thursday at DakotaDome.

The Coyotes erupted for 32 points in the opening period while holding the Waves to just nine, establishing a 23-point lead. Pepperdine could not recover from the early deficit despite outscoring South Dakota in the second half. The victory improved South Dakota’s record to 25-9 this season, while Pepperdine fell to 21-13. A crowd of 1,596 attended the game, a rematch of a December contest won by Pepperdine.