VERMILLION, S.D. -- The South Dakota women's basketball team (13-6, 1-3 NCC) will attempt to win its second straight North Central Conference home contest when the Coyotes host struggling Minnesota State, Mankato (9-11, 0-5 NCC) before a regional television audience on KELO-TV at the DakotaDome at 6:08 p.m. on Saturday night. USD, which received a career-high 23 points from Vanessa Yanez, upset 20th-ranked Minnesota-Duluth, 70-66, on Jan. 21. To stay in the NCC race, USD needs a win against the Mavericks, which has opened the league with an 0-5 mark. The Coyotes opened the NCC season with a 68-54 road loss to Augustana on Jan. 7, before falling to second-ranked North Dakota, 73-64, in the Coyotes' home NCC opener on Jan. 14. USD lost to Nebraska-Omaha, 74-60, at Sapp Fieldhouse on Jan. 19 before returning home to post a win over UMD. MSU is hungry for a win after suffering its fourth straight loss and fifth consecutive setback in league play, falling to Augustana, 92-73, at the Taylor Center on Jan. 21. All-NCC center Arin Andrews scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against the Vikings, as she recorded her 26th career double double and her eighth this season.

South Dakota (13-6, 1-3 NCC) G - 5 - Megan Woster, 6'0, Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D. (6.6 ppg, 7.95 apg, 4.1 rpg) G - 22 - Ashley Bjorkman, 5'10, So., Vermillion, S.D. (8.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg) F - 24 - Vanessa Yanez, 5'11, Jr., Wagner, S.D. (11.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg.) F - 32 - Erica Schroeder, 6'1, Jr., Miller, S.D. (4.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg) F - 25 - Bridget Yoerger, 5'11, Fr., Hinton, Iowa (14.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg) Minnesota-State, Mankato (9-11, 0-5) G - 15 - Alanna Wahl, 5'9, Jr., Lakeville, Minn. (8.2 ppg, 4.0 apg) G - 34 - Flecia Foster, 5'8, Fr., Pequot Lakes, Minn. (7.8 ppg, 2.4 apg) F - 21 - Heather Peterson, 6'0, Sr., Blaine, Minn. (8.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg ) F - 10 - Stacie Johnson, 5'4, Sr., Hutchinson, Minn. (6.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg) C - 33 - Arin Andrews , 6'0, Sr., West Concord, Minn. (14.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg)

NCAA Division II Regional Rankings The South Dakota women's basketball team sits 10th in the NCAA Division II basketball regional rankings, which were released on Jan. 24 for the first time this season. The regional rankings will be released every Wednesday through March 1.

North Central Region (D-II record, region record included) 1. North Dakota (19-0, 15-0) 2. St. Cloud State (12-1, 11-1) 3. Minnesota-Duluth (12-4, 9-2) 4. Wayne State, Neb. (12-2, 12-2) 5. Northern State (9-3, 9-3) 6. Concordia St. Paul (10-6, 9-6) 7. Metro State (11-4, 11-2) 8. Regis, Colo. (14-3, 10-2) 9. Augustana (10-5, 8-5) 10. South Dakota (8-6, 7-5).

Broadcast Info The game will be broadcast on Mix 106.3 Radio, KVHT-FM on Saturday with Jeff Culhane providing play-by-play. The game is available on the internet at www.usdcoyotes.com or www.kvht.com or by calling Teamline at 1-800-846-4700 (team code: 6056). Teamline is a fee-based phone service, in which Coyote fans can call to listen to the live broadcast.

About South Dakota South Dakota opened the 2005-06 season with an 11-3 record and has two wins (2-3) in its last five games. The Coyotes are outscoring opponents by a 70.7 to 60.3 margin. However, USD narrowly trails in rebounding at 37.2 to 37.8. The Coyotes are hitting 44 percent from the field on 473-of-1,076 shooting. USD has made 35.2 percent from three-point range, making 161-of-457 shots. USD is connecting on 71.0 percent from the foul line on 237-of-334 shooting. USD opponents are making 37.3 percent from the field, including 30 percent from three-point range. Overall, USD owns a 1,344 to 1,146 points advantage against opponents. The Coyotes outscore opponents, 651 to 524, in the first half, while owning a 693 to 622 advantage during the second half. This season, USD is averaging 18.1 assists, 14.4 turnovers, 8.2 steals and 3.2 blocked shots per game. Individually, freshman Bridget Yoerger (Hinton, Iowa) leads the team with 14.4 points (7th, NCC) and 6.5 rebounds per game (9th, NCC). Yoerger also leads the team in steals with 27 and field goal percentage at 52.2% (109-of-209). Junior Vanessa Yanez (Wagner, S.D.) is averaging 11.2 points per game and leads the team and the NCC with 48 three-point baskets, which is third in the nation. Senior Meghan Woster (Sioux Falls, S.D.) leads the league with 142 assists (7.9/gm).

2004-05 Review A year ago, USD recorded a 17-13 overall record, including a 3-9 mark in the NCC. USD returns four starters and nine letter winners from the 2004-05 team. USD won three of its final four games, including two of three in the Wells Fargo/NCC Post Season Tournament. USD defeated upper seeds Minnesota-Duluth and Augustana before dropping an 84-69 decision to NCC regular season and tournament champion North Dakota.

Coyote Notes The Coyotes are 11-2 when leading at halftime this season. USD has broken double digits in made three-pointers seven times this season with a season-best 15 vs. Chadron State on Nov. 15 (82-44 win). USD shot a season-best 52.2 in the win over UMD, hitting on 24-of-46 shots from the field. The Coyotes made 88.9 percent (16-of-18) from the foul line in a 78-52 win over Southwest State on Dec. 3. USD's best three-point shooting performance was the 13-of-26 (50 percent) performance against Mount Marty on Dec. 18.

On Minnesota State, Mankato As a team, MSU is averaging 71.8 points and 39.3 rebounds per game. The Mavericks are shooting 42.5% (521-of-1226) from the field, including 29.4% (79-of-269) from behind the three-point line. They are hitting 71% (314-of-442) of their attempts at the foul line. MSU's opponents are averaging 70.3 points and 35.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 42.5% from the field and 30.9% from three-point range against them. The Mavericks are also averaging 17 assists, 20.8 turnovers, 10.6 steals and 2.0 blocks per game. Arin Andrews leads MSU with 14.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Andrews is also shooting 56.3% from the field. Alanna Wahl is averaging 8.2 points per game, while leading the team with 80 assists. Stacie Johnson leads the team with 23 three-pointers and averages 6.8 points per game. Head coach Lori Fish, who is in her second season, owns a 20-27 overall record.

The USD-MSU Series On the women's side, Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 23-22. However, USD has won six of the last seven meetings. Last season, the two teams each won on its home court with USD defeating MSU, 81-71, at the DakotaDome on Feb. 11.

Yoerger Making Impact in Freshman Season Freshman Bridget Yoerger is putting together an impressive opening act in her initial season on the Coyote women's squad. The Hinton, Iowa native is the only true freshman in the NCC to rank in the top-10 in both scoring and rebounding. She is averaging a team-high 14.4 points (seventh in the NCC) and 6.2 rebounds (ninth in the league) per game. Yoerger has recorded 17 starts in 19 games and averaged 23.8 minutes per game. Until she was limited to eight points against UND, Yoerger had a string of 13-straight (14 overall) double digit scoring games. She has broken the 20-point mark on four occasions, including twice scoring 25 points. Yoerger was named the MVP of the SMSU/U.S. Bancorp/McDonald's Invitational after averaging 19.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. She scored a career-high 25 points in a win against Minnesota-Crookston. At the Classic, she hit 57.1 percent of her field goals and 7-of-9 from the charity stripe. She was named NCC Player of the Week after her play at the Southwest Minnesota State Classic. Overall, Yoerger has hit 109-of-209 field goals for 52.2 percent and 41-of-60 free throws for 68.3 percent. Of her 112 rebounds, she has 46 offensive boards. She has recorded 27 steals and 11 blocked shots this season. Yoerger recorded her first career-double double with 20 points and 10 rebounds in USD's 77-40 win over Mount Marty on Dec. 18.

Woster Ranks Third in Assists and Fourth in Blocked Shots Senior point guard Meghan Woster, who is leading the league with 7.9 assists per game, continues to move up the USD career assist chart. With 151 assists this season, Woster, who ranks third in the nation, now has 490 assists and sits third on USD's career assists chart. Directly ahead of Woster is Jodi Pipes (1988-92), who is second all-time with 507 assists; with Katie Dailey (1981-85), first, with 665 assists. Woster has nine blocked shots this season and has moved into fourth-place on USD's blocked shots chart with 70. Ahead of Woster are Jean Misterek (1983-87), first, 134; Mandy Koupal (2000-04), second, 121; and Amy Heller (1987-91), third, 81. Woster, who is averaging 4.1 rebounds and 6.6 points per game, has six double-digit assists games, including a career-best 15 in the win over William Penn on Dec. 11, 2005. She has a season-high of 15 points vs. York on Nov. 19. She has scored double digits in three of her last four games, including 14 points vs. UMD and North Dakota. Yanez Moves into Fifth on Career 3-Point Chart Junior forward Vanessa Yanez of Wagner, S.D., has moved into fifth-place on USD's career three-point shots list with 138 made three-pointers. Directly ahead of Yanez is Jenni Flynn with 145 and former standout Julia Frie, who finished her career (1999-2003) with 150 converted treys. Yanez recently passed Anne Knudtson (1994-98) and Krista Orsack (133, 2000-02). This season, Yanez has knocked down a team and NCC-high 48 three-pointers. She has hit an NCC-best 2.53 three-point shots per game. Yanez, who is averaging 11.2 points per game for the Coyotes, has made 138-of-411 (33.6 percent) three-point shots in her career. This season, Yanez has nine double digit scoring games, including a season-high of 23 in the win over Minnesota-Duluth on Jan. 21, 2006. She has a season high of six (11 attempts) three-point field goals in a win over Chadron State on Dec. 31, 2005. She has scored 20 points twice this season. Yanez has made 76-of-163 field goals for 46.6 percent and 13-of-19 free throws. She has scored 213 points and is averaging 3.5 rebounds per contest. Yanez has started in 17 of the 19 games this season. In her career, Yanez now has 34 double digit scoring games and two double doubles.

Three-Point Field Goals - USD Career Chart 1. Shelby Petersen (1990-94) 271 2. Heather Nelsen (1999-2003) 180 3. Jenni Flynn (2003-present) 161 4. Julia Frie (1999-2003) 150 5. Vanessa Yanez (2003-present) 138 6. Krista Orsack (2000-02) 133 7. Anne Knudtson (1994-98) 131 8. Erin Bourne (2002-04) 97 9. Mandy Koupal (2001-04) 93 10. Sherri Bitter (1991-95) 81

South Dakota Game-by-Game Review for '05-06 Yanez Scores 23 Points to Lead South Dakota Women's Basketball Team to 70-66 Win over 20th-ranked Minnesota-Duluth Forward Vanessa Yanez tied a career-high with 23 points and led the South Dakota women's basketball team (13-6, 1-3 NCC) to a 70-66 upset win over 20th-ranked Minnesota-Duluth (16-4, 3-2 NCC) in North Central Conference action on Jan. 21 at the DakotaDome. The Coyotes defeated UMD for the second straight time, including a 77-69 win over the Bulldogs in the conference tournament last spring. Yanez, a junior forward from Wagner, S.D., hit 8-of-10 field goals, including 4-of-6 three-pointers to lead the Coyotes to its' first NCC win of the season. She also made three free throws and had two blocked shots. Two other USD players scored in double figures, including senior guard Brittany Bessert of Fort Collins, Colo., who had 11 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Bessert hit 7-of-11 free throws, including several crucial foul shots in the final minute of play. Meghan Woster, a senior from Sioux Falls, S.D., provided 14 points and nine assists.

South Dakota, who played without freshman standout Bridget Yoerger, also received eight points, nine rebounds and three steals from sophomore forward Ashley Robinette of South Sioux City, Neb. Sophomore forward Janielle Bryan of Bellevue, Neb., provided a spark off to bench by scoring eight points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field. Minnesota-Duluth, who played without the services of All-American forward Lindsey Dietz, received 22 points and seven rebounds from Katie Winkelman. In addition, Kim Wagers scored 12 points while Justine Axtell had eight points and eight rebounds. Alissa Paully provided 10 points for UMD. South Dakota had a solid shooting night, which was crucial to the Coyotes success against UMD. The Coyotes made 52.2 percent from the field, hitting on 24-of-46 field goals. USD also made 7-of-15 three point field goals for 46.7 percent and knocked down 15-of-20 free throws for 75 percent. Meanwhile, UMD hit 27-of-58 field goals for 46.6 percent, including 7-of-16 three-point shots. UMD struggled at the foul line, making just 5-of-13 charity tosses. UMD won the rebound battle, 32-30. In a game in which the lead exchanged 15 times, the visiting Bulldogs grabbed a quick 5-0 lead at the 18:32 mark after Winkelman scored inside. The Coyotes responded with a 6-0 run as Robinette's two free throws at the 15:50 mark provided USD with its' first lead of the game. Yanez hit a three-pointer that gave USD a 15-14 lead at the 8:40 mark. Later, USD moved its advantage to 21-18 (5:37) after Bessert hit a free throw. After UMD tied the game (21-21) at the 4:21 mark, USD used an 8-0 to take a 29-21 lead with 1:42 to play in the first half. UMD answered with the final two baskets of the half as USD led, 29-25, at the break. UMD gradually cut into the Coyotes' advantage and eventually took a 43-39 lead at the 12:05 mark. But, Yanez continually came up with big shots to keep the Coyotes close to UMD. Yanez hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 49-49 at the 8:52 mark. The lead exchanged hands three times before a lay-up by Woster gave USD a 58-56 lead with 4:59 to play in the game. USD built the lead to 64-57 on three foul shots by Yanez at the 2:54 mark. UMD cut the lead to four points on several occasions and was within three-points (69-66) with eight seconds to play. Bessert hit a free throw with five seconds left to seal the Coyotes' win.

Coach Lavin Is Coaching 12th Season Coach Lavin, who has guided South Dakota to four NCC titles at South Dakota, is in eighth season (12th overall at USD) coaching the women's basketball program. He is coaching in his 24th collegiate season, overall. USD is 12-6, 0-3 NCC, in 2005-06. Lavin directed the Coyotes to a 17-13 record overall and 3-9 in the NCC in 2004-05.

Lavin has a 216-123 (.637) record at South Dakota. He sports a 391-283 (.580) overall record. In NCC play, he owns a 92-76 (.548) mark. At the DakotaDome, Lavin owns a 122-39 record (.758). Since his return to USD in 1998, the Coyotes own a 133-87 record (.607), including a 55-63 mark in the NCC.

At USD, he has coached three-time All-American and two-time national player of the year Mandy Koupal, 22 All-NCC players, 19 Academic All-NCC performers, and three NCC MVPs (Karrie Wallen, 1982-83; Ann Pancost, 1984-85; and Mandy Koupa1, 2001-2004). He has coached three Academic All-Americans, including USD's only CoSIDA College Division Academic All-American of the Year (Mandy Koupal) in 2003-04.

Two years ago, Lavin directed USD to a 25-8 record (9-5 in the NCC, 4th) and to its second straight NCAA Division II Playoff appearance. The Coyotes were the Division II Bulletin Preseason No. 1-ranked team. USD was ranked as high as third and finished 16th-ranked in the USA Today/WBCA Coaches Poll. He was named the Russell Athletic/WBCA North Central Region Coach of the Year in 2002-03, directing the Coyotes to a school-record 27-5 record. He was also named the NCC Coach of the Year for the third time in his career. The Coyotes won the NCC with a 14-2 record (tied with SDSU), and advanced to the national playoffs. USD finished second at the North Central Regional Championship, winning two before losing the regional title game. The Coyotes were ranked No. 9 in the final NCAA Division II poll, capturing one first-place ballot. Twice, his teams (2004-05, 2002-03) have won Division II three-point shooting titles. In his career, he has directed five teams to 20-win seasons with 11 other teams winning at least 17 games. During his coaching tenure, Lavin has five of the top six seasons of all-time with his 2002-03 squad owning a school-record 27-5 mark. On Jan. 11, 2002, Lavin won his 300th game with an 89-77 win over then No. 1 ranked North Dakota. A native of Clear Lake, S.D., Lavin was the head women's basketball coach at the University of Wyoming for 12 years from 1986-98, constructing a record of 175-162, including the High Country Athletic Conference title in 1989-90. He has been the NCC Coach of the Year in both 1984 and 1985, the year he was the South Dakota Collegiate Coach of the Year. Lavin was the High Country Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 1987 and 1990. Lavin's 1996-97 team was recognized for 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 post-season tournament from 1986-98. A three-year letter winner for the South Dakota men's basketball team, Lavin was academic All-NCC in 1978. He earned a B.S. degree in business management from USD in 1978 and an M.A. degree in physical education in 1983. Lavin, a former head coach at Dell Rapids High School (22-19) in 1979 and men's basketball assistant at Mount Marty from 1981-82, took over the USD women's basketball program in 1982. He promptly led the Coyotes to a four-year record of 82-32 (.719) and three NCC titles He is married to the former Cindy Little of Castlewood, S.D.