Jake Thomas hit eight 3-pointers and finished with 26 points and South Dakota pulled away in the second half to defeat South Dakota Mines 72-61 on Wednesday night.
Louie Krogman added 17 points, including three 3s, for the Coyotes (1-1), who finished 13 of 26 from 3-point range and shot 53.1 percent from the field.
Tanner Friesen had 17 points and Michael Dietz scored 13 to lead the Hardrockers (2-5).
Thomas hit a 3-pointer with 2 seconds left in the first half to give South Dakota a 43-41 lead at intermission and added two more in the first 3 1/2 minutes of the second half as the Coyotes pushed their advantage to 10.
The Hardrockers used a 7-0 run to pull to within 54-50 with 12:41 to play but Thomas ended the threat with yet another 3, and South Dakota held on from there.
