DENVER -- The University of Denver women's basketball team fell to South Dakota, 53-42, on Thursday night in Hamilton Gymnasium.

Coryn Watts led the Pioneers offensively with 15 points and three steals. Laia Monclova added 10 points and three rebounds. 

The Coyotes and Pioneers traded momentum throughout a sloppy first half marked by turnovers and scoring droughts on both ends. Denver jumped out to an early 5–3 lead before South Dakota tied the game at 5–5 at the 7-minute mark of the first quarter. The Pioneers briefly regained control behind Watts, who gave Denver a 9–7 lead with four minutes remaining and later added a steal that led to a Roseberger basket.

The Coyotes continued to apply pressure in the second quarter, taking a 16–15 lead on a 3-pointer with 8:50 remaining as Denver again struggled to score. Monclova sparked a response with a steal and basket, and Murrell tied the game at 19–19 from the free-throw line. Despite difficulty breaking down the Coyote defense, Denver reclaimed the lead on a Watts 3-pointer late in the quarter, and Baker followed with another triple to give the Pioneers a 29–25 advantage at halftime.

Watts opened the third quarter with an uncontested layup, but Denver endured another prolonged scoring drought, going more than four minutes without a basket as South Dakota trimmed the margin to two. A Coyote 3-pointer gave USD a 32–31 lead with just over five minutes remaining before Monclova answered with a 3 to put Denver back in front, 36–32.

The Pioneers held South Dakota scoreless for more than three minutes, but turnovers stalled both offenses. The teams were tied 37–37 late in the quarter before Denver entered the fourth trailing 39–37.

The Coyotes seized control early in the final period, opening on a 9–2 run as Denver went scoreless for more than four minutes. South Dakota extended its lead to 49–40 with three minutes remaining. Watts ended Denver's drought with a layup, but the Pioneers were unable to mount a comeback despite holding USD scoreless for the final two minutes.

UP NEXT: The Pioneers host St. Thomas on Saturday at 2 p.m.