Duffy ties season high enroute to Coyote victory

VERMILLION, S.D. (GoYotes.com) —South Dakota senior guard Ciara Duffy tied her season-high of 23 points to lead the Coyotes to a 96-64 victory over Montana on Sunday afternoon inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.

The Coyotes (11-1) won all four games of their home stand by an average margin of 37 points.

In addition to her season-best of 23 points, Duffy handed out a career-high nine assists to nearly tally a double-double. She also stole the ball three times and grabbed four rebounds.

Junior center Hannah Sjerven tallied 18 points, grabbed seven boards and blocked five shots. It marked her second five-block performance of the season.

Joining them in double-figures were junior guard Liv Korngable with 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting and senior forward Taylor Frederick with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Senior guard Madison McKeever finished with nine points on three triples, while junior guard Chloe Lamb recorded seven points and five assists.

Montana (4-4) was led in scoring by senior forward Emma Stockholm’s 12 points. Freshman forward Jamie Pickens joined her in double-figures with 10 points.

Coming off of Wednesday’s school-record performance of shooting 66.2 percent from the field, the Coyotes continued the hot shooting streak. South Dakota finished 38-of-65 (58.5 percent) from the field and 15-of-26 (57.7 percent) from outside the arc. The Grizzlies attempted four fewer 3-pointers than the Coyotes made.

South Dakota also held the edge inside by outscoring Montana 44-26 in the paint.

The Coyotes resume action next Sunday at current No. 5/6 South Carolina in Columbia. Tip-off is scheduled for 11 a.m. central time.