VERMILLION, S.D.—The University of South Dakota women's basketball team will try to end a losing streak and yet at the same time try to preserve a winning string this week facing Augustana Thursday (Jan. 14) in the DakotaDome and South Dakota State at 5:45 p.m. Saturday in Brookings.
 
The Coyotes have not lost to a South Dakota school since 1977 but they will have to bounce back from a 64-53 setback at Concordia (Moorhead) last Thursday (Jan. 7) and a 57-56 loss to North Dakota, Friday (Jan. 8). USD, which has won three straight games before last weekend's losses, fell to 4-6.
 
"We looked like were asleep for 30 of the 40 minutes against Concordia and things didn't get much better at North Dakota," said Coach Mary Zimmerman.
 
The Coyotes went nearly 11 minutes without scoring and trailed Concordia at halftime, 29-14. The following day USD came out on the short end of a game in which the lead changed nine times in the last seven minutes. Renee Steeve led the Coyotes in scoring both games with 19 and 17 points respectively and Jo Haase added 14 points to a career high 16 rebounds against the University of North Dakota.
 
"Getting our spirits up for these next two games won't be very hard," said Zimmernan. "We haven't played Augustana in a couple of years and State is such a big rival."
 
Steeve continues to lead the Coyotes in scoring, averaging 12.5 points per game and in assists with 26. Deb Petersen is tops in rebounding with 6.6 per game. Pam Olerich is shooting 46.8 percent from the field (36-77), while Jo Haase leads in free throws (14-17 .824) and steals with 25.