FARGO, N.D. – South Dakota, ranked 21^st in the latest USA Today/WBCA Top 25, used a 23-3 run in the first quarter to defeat North Dakota State 80-36 Thursday night at the Scheels Center.

The loss dropped the Bison to 3-13 overall and 0-4 in the Summit League. The Coyotes improved to 16-2 overall and 5-0 in the Summit League with their fifth-straight victory. NDSU returns to action on Sunday, as the Bison host North Dakota. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. at the Scheels Center. The Fighting Hawks are 12-6 overall and 3-2 in the Summit League after a 99-64 loss to South Dakota State on Thursday night.

Ryan Cobbins had a career-high 15 points to lead the Bison, while Nicole Scales added five points off the bench. Ciara Duffy led the Coyotes with a game-high 20 points. Sofija Zivaljevic led the Bison with five rebounds, while Rylee Nudell and Cobbins each had four. Zivaljevic had three assists, while Cobbins added a pair of steals.

The Bison were 11-of-44 from the field and 4-of-19 (21.1%) from 3-point range. The Coyotes, one of the top five shooting teams in the nation, were 29-of-61 (47.5%) from the floor and 10-of-24 (41.7%) from downtown. NDSU was 10-of-12 (83.3%) at the free throw line, while the Coyotes were 12-of-15. South Dakota had a 29-7 advantage in points off turnovers and 30-14 advantage in the paint.

South Dakota opened the game on a 23-3 run over the first 7:22. Late in the quarter, South Dakota led 23-6 before going on a 24-1 run over a 9:19 span to take a 47-7 lead late in the half. A 12-0 run by the Coyotes late in the third quarter gave South Dakota its largest lead at 70-16 with 2:22 left in the third quarter.