Flames start well but succumb to NCAA Division I Coyotes
VERMILLION, S.D. – A quick start by Haley Debuse and the College of Saint Mary eventually fell victim to a deep and talented University of South Dakota basketball team on Tuesday.
The NCAA Division I Coyotes erased a four-point deficit after five minutes and beat CSM 95-42 at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
The game was an exhibition for the Flames, who remain 3-12 on the season. USD improved to 10-4 in their final nonconference game of the season.
"Defensively, we played one of the better games we've had,'' CSM Coach Natalie Miller said. "They shot it really well though, and we didn't guard the 3-point line enough.''
Debuse, a 6-foot senior out of Elkhorn, Neb., scored the Flames' first 10 points of the game, including a pair of 3-pointers. Her layup off a turnover gave CSM a 10-6 lead at the 5:44 mark of the first quarter.
The Coyotes finally went back ahead for good with 3:34 remaining in the opening period, and then quickly took over from there. They went on a 42-5 run to take a 48-15 lead with 2:47 remaining in the first half. South Dakota shot 72.7% (8 of 11) from 3-point range in the first half to lead 53-22 at the intermission.
The Coyotes led 78-25 after three before CSM played an even fourth quarter, 17-17.
USD, picked fourth in the Summit League in the preseason, enjoyed a commanding 63-26 rebounding edge, including 17-3 on the offensive glass.
"We got killed on the offensive rebounds, and we should have pushed the ball more in transition,'' Miller said. "We only had 13 turnovers, which is huge for us.''
Debuse led the Flames with 16 points and seven rebounds. Meghan Keil added eight points, hitting a pair of 3-pointers. Olivia Moore led USD in points (15) and assists (7).
"Looking forward, we want to keep the defensive momentum and rotations we had and work on turning the corner more on our drives,'' Miller said.
College of Saint Mary begins the 2026 portion of its season on Saturday at home when it entertains Waldorf University in Great Plains Athletic Conference play, with a 2 p.m. start at the Lied Fitness Center.