Jan. 31, 2001

The University of South Dakota (8-10, 3-8 in the NCC) will attempt to end a two-game losing streak when they face Nebraska-Omaha (6-13, 4-7 in the NCC) on Friday, Feb. 2 in Omaha at 6 p.m. The Coyotes and Northern Colorado (8-11, 3-8 in the NCC) face each other on Saturday, Feb. 3 in Greeley at 7 p.m. (CST). Both teams are vying for a spot in the NCC post season tournament and currently are eighth in the NCC. The top seven schools qualify for the Wells Fargo NCC Postseason Tournament on Feb. 27 and March 2-3.

SEASON TO DATE: The Coyotes are 6-4 at home, 2-4 away, and 0-2 at neutral sites. In the NCC, USD is 3-4 at home and 0-4 on the road. The Coyotes are 5-2 in non-conference games this season. South Dakota is 7-2 when leading at half , 1-8 when trailing at the break, 4-0 when winning the rebound battle, 7-7 when South Dakota makes five three-point baskets or more, and 5-2 mark when they make seven or more three-point baskets. The Coyotes are 1-8 when opponents have shot more free throws.

SERIES - NORTHERN COLORADO: Northern Colorado holds a 14-11 series advantage against USD, splitting a pair of games a year ago. On Jan. 5, 2001, the Coyotes defeated Northern Colorado, 77-69 at the DakotaDome. In 1999-00, USD won 75-58 at home (Jan. 8, 2000) before the Bears took a 60-49 decision (Feb. 5, 2000) at Greeley, Colo.

SERIES- NEBRASKA-OMAHA: The Coyotes and Nebraska-Omaha have met 47 times during their series. Nebraska-Omaha, who has a 27-20 series lead, defeated South Dakota, 81-76, at the DakotaDome on Jan. 6, 2001. Last year, the Coyotes lost to UNO, 76-62 at Vermillion (Jan. 9, 2000) and fell to the Mavericks, 68-50, at Omaha (Feb. 4, 2000).

USD PROBABLE STARTERS:

F - 23 - Julia Frie, 6'0", So., Byron, Minn. (12.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg)
F - 44 - Alissa Koronkiewicz, 5'10", Jr., Peshtigo, Wis. (3.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg)
G - 03 - Krista Orsack, 5'10", Fr., Sioux Falls, S.D. (8.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg)
G - 32 - Kelly Koepp, 5'9", Sr., Jordan, Minn. (10.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg)
G - 10 - Kelly Gese, 5'8", Sr., Shoreview, Minn. (10.1 ppg, 5.8 apg, 3.1 rpg)

USD TOP RESERVES:

F - 43 - Amanda Iverson, 6'0", So., Vermillion, S.D. (6.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
F - 42 - Heather Nelson, 5'10", So., Yankton, S.D. (8.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg)
C - 04 - Jodi Schroeder, 6'1", Fr., Tulare, S.D. (5.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg)
G - 13 - Nicole Jaycox, 5'7", So., Sanborn, Iowa (4.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg)

NEBRASKA-OMAHA PROBABLE STARTERS:

F - 32 - Tanya Hammes, 6'2", So., Iowa City, Iowa (11.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg)
F - 40 - Kari Kerkhoff, 6'1, Sr., Manning, Iowa (5.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg)
G - 02 - Andi Sutherland, 5'6", So., Columbia, Mo. (7.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
G - 20 - Jennifer Mitchell, 5'8", Jr., Mankato, Minn. (14.5 ppg, 4.9 apg, 4.3 rpg)
G - 33 - Sara Peterson, 5'8, So., Rochester, Minn. (7.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg.)

Top Reserves

G/F - 34 - Erin Wessling, 5'10", Fr., Vinton, Iowa (7.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg)
F - 45 - Rachel Volnek, 6'0, So., Arlington, Neb. (3.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg)
F - 50 - Kara Paul, 6'0, So., Red Oak, Iowa (3.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg)
C - 42 - Anne Bomstad, 6'2", Jr., Apple Valley, Minn. (7.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg)

NORTHERN COLORADO PROBABLE STARTERS:

F - 25 - Melissa Sauter, 6'0", So., Bailey, Colo. (8.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg)
F - 42 - Jill Fadenrecht, 6'2", Fr., Longmont, Colo. (10.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg)
C - 51 - Missy Borell, 6'1", So., Mahtomedi, Minn. (17.8 ppg, 10.6 rpg)
G - 20 - Julie Bentson, 5'7", Jr., Fargo, N.D. (7.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg)
G - 33 - Jeanna Stewart, 5'8", Sr., Milford, Mich. (9.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg)

INSIDE THE GAMES

ABOUT NEBRASKA-OMAHA: The Mavericks have a 6-13 overall record, including 2-6 at home, 3-5 on the road, and 1-2 at neutral sites. In the NCC, the Mavericks are 4-7 in the NCC, including a 1-4 record at home and 3-3 mark on the road. Nebraska-Omaha recorded a 2-6 non-conference record. Opponents hold a 643-587 first half scoring advantage and a 704-691 margin in the second half for an overall advantage of 1,,347 to 1,278. Nebraska-Omaha is averaging 67.3 points per game and allowing 70.9 points per game. The Mavericks have hit 485-of-1,129 (.430) field goals, 103-of-303 (.340) three-point field goals, and 205-of-292 (.702) free throws. Nebraska-Omaha holds a 40.6-39.4 rebound advantage.

SUTHERLAND BREAKS OUT AGAINST COYOTES: In UNO's 81-76 win over South Dakota on Jan .6 at the DakotaDome, Andi Sutherland had her career best game, scoring 21 points. In that game, the sophomore guard from Columbia, Mo., hit five three-point baskets. Junior guard Jennifer Mitchell, who leads UNO in scoring at 14.5 per game, also had five three-point baskets as UNO made 13 as a team. Mitchell also contributed 10 assists.

MITCHELL CONTINUES TO CLOSE ON FLOYD: Jennifer Mitchell ranks second in school history with 125 three-point field goals. She needs 31 more to surpass school record-holder Tricia Floyd (1998-92), who made 155 three-point field goals during her four-year career.

ABOUT NORTHERN COLORADO: The Bears will attempt to end a four-game losing streak when they play the Coyotes on Saturday. Northern Colorado has a 8-11 record, including a 3-8 mark in the NCC. Northern Colorado is 3-4 at home, 4-5 on the road and 1-2 at neutral sites. In conference games, the Bears own a 1-3 record at home and 2-5 on the road. They have a 5-3 non-conference record. When leading at halftime, the Bears are 6-2 and have a 2-8 mark when trailing at the break. Northern Colorado is 0-1 when tied at half and 1-0 in overtime games. UNC is 6-5 when outrebounding opponents and 2-6 when their opponents win the rebound battle. UNC is 2-10 when they shoot worse than their opponents and 0-10 when they are whistled for more fouls that opponents. When the Bears shoot less than 50 percent, they are 8-11. Northern Colorado has hit 433-of-1124 (.385) field goals, 41 of 118 (.218) three-point field goals, and 357-502 (.728) free throws. The Opponents have outscored the Bears by a 1,341 to 1,264 total. Opponents have outscored the Bears 663-587 in the first half a0nd 673-667 in the second half, and UNC holds a 10-5 margin in overtime periods. Northern Colorado is scoring 66.5 points per game while allowing 70.6 points per game. They are out-rebounding opponents 43.3-39.8 per game.

INDIVIDUAL STUFF ON BEARS: Double doubles: Missy Borell has 12 and Jill Fadenrecht has three. 20-point games: Borell has eight, Fadenrecht two and Melissa Sauter has one. Double figure scoring: Borell has 18, Fadenrecht, 10, Sauter, 9, Jeanna Stewart, 6, Julie Bentson, 5, Amber Elliott, Lisa Gangel, 1 and Lindsey Ruff, 1.

BORELL A BIG FORCE FOR BEARS: Missy Borell, who had a career high of 27 points vs. Regis University on Dec. 5, 2000 and Colorado Christian on Nov. 25, 2000, is a huge force inside for the Bears. In the Coyotes' 77-69 win at the DakotaDome on Jan. 5, 2001, Borell had 14 points and a career-high 16 rebounds. She has 15 career double doubles including her 12th this season in the loss to North Dakota. She scored 15 points and had 13 rebounds. She is averaging a double, double, scoring 17.8 points and grabbing 10.6 rebounds a contest.

COACHES: South Dakota's Chad Lavin, a 1978 graduate of South Dakota, is in his third (seventh overall) year as head coach at South Dakota with a 108-78 (.580) record. His overall coaching slate is 282-241 (.539). Lavin directed South Dakota to an 82-32 (.719) record and three consecutive North Central Conference basketball championships from 1982-85. Lavin was the head women's coach at the University of Wyoming from 1986-98 where he constructed a record of 175-162 (.519). Lavin's 1996-97 team was recognized for attaining the second-highest grade point average in NCAA Division I. His Wyoming team is one of only two teams to participate in every High Country Athletic Conference and Western Athletic Conference postseason tournaments from 1986-98. Lavin, a three-year letterwinner for the USD men's basketball program, including being named to the academic all-North Central Conference team in 1978, earned a B.S. degree in business management from South Dakota in 1978 and an M.A. in physical education in 1983. Lavin, a former head coach at Dell Rapids High School (22-19) in 1979, was a men's basketball assistant at Mount Marty College in 1981-82. Lavin, who directed USD to three NCAA Division II regional tournament berths was twice NCC Coach of the Year and the South Dakota Sportswriters Women's Collegiate Coach of the Year in 1984-85. His 23-6 record in 1984-85 stands as the best mark in school history. He is married to the former Cindy Little of Castlewood, S.D. Coyote assistants include Becky Flynn, a 1996 graduate of Creighton University and Jay Hennies, a 1965 South Dakota graduate. Flynn starred at Wakonda High School. Hennies played for South Dakota from 1961-65.

UNC's Eric Ledy was hired as the women's basketball coach at Northern Colorado on May 9, replacing Greg Bruce, who took the women's head position at California State-Bakersfield. Ledy, 8-11 (3-8 in the NCC) at UNC this year, compiled an overall mark of 149-140 at UNC, Lake Superior State and Northwood (Mich.). Her assistant coaches include Heather Brite and Melissa Blunt.

UNO's Lisa Carlsen is in her first season at Nebraska-Omaha and is 6-13 (4-7 in the NCC) this season. She has served the past two seasons as an assistant coach for the Mavericks. A graduate assistant coach with the women's team from 1992-94, she became only the sixth coach in Nebraska-Omaha's 29-year history. Before coming to Nebraska-Omaha, Carlsen was the softball head coach at Wayne State College during 1997-98 and at Saint Mary from 1994-97.

THIS AND THAT ON SOUTH DAKOTA WOMEN'S BB:

GESE MOVES INTO 10TH PLACE ON CAREER SCORING CHART: Senior guard Kelly Gese has scored 182 points (10.1 per game) this season for a career total of 1,158, which places her 10th place on the school's all-time scoring chart. Ahead of Gese is Karrie Wallen (1980-84), 1,595, Ann Pancoast (1981-85), 1,591, Shelby Petersen Mayer (1990-94), 1,487, Renee Steeve (1977-82), 1,306, Amy Heller (1987-91), 1,282, Stacy Kracht (1987-91), 1,277, Mitzie Frericks (1982-86), 1,264, Gloria Suntken (1977-81), 1,212, and Jodi Beavers (1991-95), 1,166.

GESE CHASING ASSISTS, STEALS LEADERS: With 104 assists (5.8 per game) this season, Gese has 397 for her career, which is fifth on the school's all-time assist list. Gese already owns two of the top 16 single season assists totals in school history and one more assist will make it three of the best total in school history. She had 105 assists in 1996-97 and 119 assists in 1997-98. Katie Dailey holds th single-season school record for assists with 212 assists in both the 1982-83 and 1984-85. Dailey is now the head coach of Sioux Falls College, a team South Dakota will face Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. in the DakotaDome. In addition, Gese is currently 15th all-time in career steals with 118 (21 this season). Immediately ahead of Gese is Gloria Suntken (1977-81), 126.

COYOTE NUMBERS: Click here for full season statistics.

ORSACK MOVING UP SINGLE SEASON 3-PT LIST: With 41 three-point baskets this season, freshman Krista Orsack has the ninth best total in school history. Shelby Petersen Mayer has the Coyotes' best single season mark for three-point field goals with 89 during the 1991-92 season. In fact, Mayer has the four best single season totals in Coyote history. The other three totals include 71, 1992-93, 63, 1993-94, and 48, 1990-91. Two members of the current Coyote squad had 48 three-pointers a year ago. They include sophomore Heather Nelson and sophomore Nicole Jaycox while Julia Frie had 45.

NELSON MOVING UP CHARTS: In just a year and half, Nelson (25 in 2000-01) has moved into fifth place on the career three-point field goals list with 73. The others in the top five include: Shelby Petersen Mayer (1990-94), 271, Anne Knudtson (1994-98), 131, Sherri Bitter (1991-95), 81, and Jodi Beavers (1991-95), 74. Nicole Jaycox has 21 three pointers this year which gives her 69 for her career which is sixth most in school history. Frie is seventh best all-time with 57 three-point baskets including 12 this season.

PLAYER PROFILES

Kelly Gese: A senior guard from Shoreview, Minn., Gese has 10 double figure-scoring games in 2000-01 and a total of 45 during her career. She scored career high 27 points in a 55-50 win over Southwest State during the 1998-99 preseason. Her season high is 18 points in the Coyotes' 77-69 win over Northern Colorado on Jan. 5, 2001. She had her career high assist game (11) in the Coyotes 81-56 win over Grand Canyon on Nov. 25, 2000. It was also her only double double (10 points, 11 assists) of the season.

Kelly Koepp: A senior point guard from Jordan, Minn., Koepp has 10 double figure scoring games this season and a total of 28 for her career. She had a career high of 38 points, a Coyote single game record, in the 96-54 win over Huron on Dec. 10, 1999. Her season high is 21 points in the 77-69 win over Northern Colorado on Jan. 5, 2001. Koepp has broken the 20-point barrier seven times in her career at South Dakota. She has a season high of seven rebounds in the 76-48 loss to North Dakota in Grand Forks on Jan. 12, 2001.

Julia Frie: A sophomore forward from Byron, Minn., Frie has 14 double figure scoring games including a season high of 23 points in the 81-76 loss to Nebraska-Omaha on Jan. 6, 2001. Frie's career high is 31 points in 74-62 win over Concordia in the opening game of the 1999-2000 season. She has 35 double figure scoring games in her two years at South Dakota. Frie has broken the 20-point barrier seven times. She grabbed her career high in rebounds with 12 vs. Central Oklahoma on Nov. 24, 2000 (61-54 loss).

Krista Orsack: A freshman shooting guard from Sioux Falls, Orsack has earned a spot in the starting line-up with solid play, including eight double-figure scoring games. She has a career high of 19 in the recording breaking 113-39 win over Minnesota-Morris on Dec. 2. Her rebound high is five vs. Minnesota-Morris on Dec. 2. On four occasions, Orsack has hit a career-high four three-point baskets (Grand Canyon, at Augustana, UNO, Morningside) during the 2000-01 season. She has made three three-pointers five times this season.

Jodi Schroeder: A freshman center from Tulare, S.D., Schroeder has three double figure scoring games, including a career high of 10 vs. Mount Marty (Nov. 21, 2000), Grand Canyon (Nov. 25, 2000) and South Dakota State (Jan. 26, 2001).

Nicole Jaycox: A sophomore from Sanborn, Iowa, Jaycox has three double figure scoring games this season and 10 in her career. Her season high is 12 points vs. Minnesota-Morris on Dec. 2. Her season high in rebounds is also against Minnesota-Morris. Jaycox has a career high of 18 points in the 77-64 win over Minnesota State-Mankato at the DakotaDome last year. She has a career high of nine rebounds in the 68-50 loss to the Mavericks at the Dome a year ago. She has a career high of six assists in the 81-75 loss to St. Cloud State at the DakotaDome late in the 1999-2000 season.

Amanda Iverson: A sophomore forward from Vermillion, Iverson has a career high of 16 points vs. Augustana (82-70 Coyote loss) on Jan. 27 and vs. Morningside (72-50 win at the DakotaDome). In the Augie game, Iverson recorded her first career double double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. She has four double figure scoring games this season and seven in her career. Her career high in rebounds is 12 in the Coyotes 77-57 win over Morningside last in the 1999-2000 season.

Heather Nelson: The Yankton sophomore has recorded seven double figure games this season, which gives her 26 for her career. She has a career high of 26 points in both the 74-61 win over Wayne State (Dec. 18, 1999) and in 75-58 win (Jan. 8, 2000) over Northern Colorado during her freshman season. She has two career double doubles and has a career rebound high of 11 vs. St. Cloud State (71-68 loss at St. Cloud on Jan. 28, 2000).

Alissa Koronkiewicz: She has a career high of 14 rebounds vs. Jamestown during 1998-99. Her season high in rebounds is 10 vs.. Minnesota-Morris on Dec. 2. She scored a career-high nine points in the 81-56 win over Grand Canyon on Nov. 25.

NCC TEAM NOTES (As of Jan. 30): The 113 points South Dakota scored vs. Minnesota-Morris is the second best scoring game among NCC league members this season. South Dakota's 43 field goals in that game is also a NCC high as were the 13 three point shots made and 35 assists in a game. The Coyotes' 36 free throws and 51 free throw attempts vs. St. Cloud are also NCC highs.

COYOTES AMONG NCC LEADERS:

* Julia Frie is 2nd in free throw shooting at 83.6 percent (51-61). Frie is 8th in defensive rebounds at 4.61 per game (83). Her 6.4 rebounds per game ranks 14th in the NCC. She ranks 12th in scoring at 12.7 points per game. Frie is 15th in the NCC in field goal percentage at .466 per game (83-178).

* Kelly Gese leads the conference in assist/turnover ratio at 2.81 (104 assists, 37 turnovers). She is second in assists (104) at 5.9 per game. Gese is 3rd in free throw percentage at 83.6 (53-64).

* Kelly Koepp is 23rd in scoring at 10.6 per game.

* Krista Orsack is first in the NCC in three-point field goals made with 2.28 (41) per game. She is 8th in 3-point field goal percentage at .363 (41-113).

* Heather Nelson is 8th in 3-point field goals made 1.47 per game (25).

* South Dakota is first in assist/turnover ratio, 1.49 (292 assists, 196 turnovers), second in free throw percentage, .720 (270-375), second in 3-point field goals made, 6.17 per game (111), fifth in field goal percentage defense, .380 (415-1,092), and fourth in turnover margin, 4.28 (196 for South Dakota and 273 by opponents).

                          NCC OVERALL
 1. North Dakota         10-1  18-1
 2. North Dakota State    9-2  19-3
 3. Augustana             8-3  14-5
 4. St. Cloud State       7-3  14-4
 5. South Dakota State    6-5  12-7
 6. Nebraska-Omaha        4-7   6-13
 7. Minn. State, Mankato  3-7   6-14
 8. Northern Colorado     3-8   8-11
 8. SOUTH DAKOTA          3-8   8-10
10. Morningside           1-10  4-15