By GREG MENGELT

VERMILLION, S.D. — Host South Dakota outscored Bellarmine 43-26 in the second half of Wednesday’s 78-64 win at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.

Bellarmine led 33-24 after former Providence star Juston Betz made two free throws with 6:09 left the first half. South Dakota (7-4) closed the first half strong but still trailed 38-35 at the half.

Bellmarine (4-7) still led 51-46 after two free throws by senior guard Dylan Penn (Evansville/Memorial) with 10:51 to play. The Coyotes went on a 11-0 spurt that led to a 32-13 South Dakota advantage the rest of the way.

Penn — the Knights’ leading scorer at 15.7 points per game coming in — had a team-bet 19 points in the loss. He was 8 for 19 from the field and had 7 rebounds.

Senior guard CJ Fleming (Cincinnati) had 16 points and junior guard Alec Pfriem (Cincinnati) added 10.

Betz, a senior, had 4 points but led Bellarmine with 10 rebounds and with 4 assists. He also had a steal.

South Dakota senior guard Xavier Fuller had a game-high 20 points and sophomore guard Kruz Perrott-Hunt had 19. The Coyotes have won three of their last four games.

Bellarmine goes to Oxford, Ohio, to face a 5-4. Miami team on Saturday at 2 p.m. That game will air on ESPN3.

Next game: At Miami (Ohio), Saturday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. (ESPN3)