VERMILLION, S.D. — The Denver Pioneers fell to the South Dakota Coyotes, 75-55, on Saturday afternoon in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Coryn Watts led Denver with 19 points, going 6-for-20 from the field and 3-for-8 from long range. She added four rebounds and four turnovers while playing the full 40 minutes for the Pioneers. Tori Baker added 18 points, shooting 6-for-11 from the field and converting all six of her free throw attempts, while Ana Conde tacked on seven points and seven rebounds.

Both teams opened the game sluggishly, but South Dakota seized early momentum with a 7-0 run as Denver went scoreless for the first three minutes. The Coyotes extended their lead to 12-4 at the first media timeout. Denver briefly trimmed the deficit to five on a 3-pointer from Watts, but South Dakota answered to rebuild a double-digit lead. Although the Coyotes were held without a field goal over the final three minutes of the quarter, Denver still trailed 18-13 after one.

The second quarter featured turnovers on both ends, but Denver again struggled to find a rhythm. The Pioneers were scoreless for more than two minutes before Watts ended the drought with a pull-up jumper at the 4:53 mark. South Dakota took advantage of another extended Denver scoring drought, stretching the lead to 34-22 late in the half.

South Dakota opened the third quarter with a 3-pointer as Denver continued to search for offensive consistency. A trey by Laia Monclova got the Pioneers on the board, and Conde later connected from long range as the Denver defense stifled the Coyotes, holding them without a field goal over the final three minutes of the period. Still, the Pioneers entered the fourth facing a 54-38 deficit.

Watts knocked down a 3-pointer to start the final quarter, cutting the margin to 54-41, but Denver was unable to sustain the momentum. The Pioneers struggled to capitalize on South Dakota turnovers and continued to struggle from the perimeter. The Coyotes took advantage of late free throw opportunities, and Denver ultimately fell 75-55.

UP NEXT: The Pioneers return home Wednesday night to take on the Kansas City Roos in Hamilton Gymnasium.

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