Ana Wurtz scored 19 points to lead Winona State past The University of South Dakota women’s basketball team, 52-48, in an exhibition contest Wednesday night at Cimpl Arena in Yankton, S.D.

It was the exhibition opener for USD, while it was the third exhibition game for Winona State.

Abby Kinder (Jr., Granger, Ind.) had 16 points to lead USD, while Amber Hegge (So., Crofton, Neb.) added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

It was a back-and-forth contest that featured six ties early, as neither team lead by more than three points in the first 15 minutes. Hegge notched three of USD’s first four buckets, before Kinder notched a couple baskets of her own, including a three-pointer to help turn the momentum towards South Dakota.

The Coyotes ended the half on a 12-2 run behind contributions from several players. Iverson hit a two to tie the game at 17 and Kinder made two hustles play to help USD take the advantage. Her three-point basket with 6:33 left put South Dakota up, and her steal on the next play allowed an open layup for Annie Roche (So., Vermillion, S.D.). Jasmine Mosley (Sr., Bellevue, Neb.) and Kara Iverson (Sr., Yankton, S.D.) added baskets of their own to make the halftime advantage 26-19.

Hegge had seven at the break, while Kinder posted six and Iverson totaled five in the first frame. USD shot 11-of-25 (44 percent), compared to 7-for-21 (33.3 percent) for Winona.

Winona opened the second half on a 10-0 run, holding USD without a point for more than seven minutes in taking a 29-26 lead.

The Coyotes fought their way through the cold spell, thanks to their defense, to tie the game at 34-34.

USD regained the lead at 43-42 the 2:42 mark when Kinder sank two free throws.

Winona took the lead after a Wurtz jumper and never relinquished it, although the Coyotes got as close as 49-48 when Mosley hit a free throw.

The Coyotes had a chance to tie or take the lead in the final seconds but a turnover ended the threat. Wurtz hit two free throws to ice the game for Winona.

Mosley added eight points and six rebounds for USD, while Roche had five points. Kinder added five assists for USD, while Mosley had two steals.

USD opens the regular season on Sunday, Nov. 15 in Sioux Falls, S.D. against Wisconsin-Green Bay. Game time is 3 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Arena.

Courtesy: USD Sports Information.