The South Dakota women's basketball team (12-3, 0-0), which has won nine of its last 10 games, will open North Central Conference play against Augustana (11-3, 1-0) at the Sioux Falls Arena at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7.

USD owns a two-game winning streak while the Vikings have won four straight contests, including a 80-64 win in the Vikings' NCC home opener on Jan. 5 at the Elemen Center in Sioux Falls. Augustana (12-3, 1-0) received 18 points each from Alison Adamson and Andrea Seefeldt to offset the 24-point performance of UNO's Karen Thies. The win extended Augustana's home winning streak to 29 games. The last time that USD and Augie met, the Coyotes edged Augustana, 84-83, in the semifinals of the Wells Fargo Finals (NCC Conference Tournament)in Grand Forks, N.D., on March 4, 2005. A year ago, Augustana defeated USD, 64-60, at the Sioux Falls Arena on Feb. 24, 2005.

Broadcast Information The USD/Augie game will be carried on All Sports Radio KVTK 1570 AM (Vermillion, Yankton, S.D.) with Kevin Culhane providing play-by-play. The broadcast will also be carried on the internet at www.usdcoyotes.com and www.kvht.com. In addition, USD games are carried on Teamline at 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.

Pre-Game Gathering: Prior to the game, the USD Alumni Association will host a pre-game gathering at 4:30 p.m. in the Fontenelle Room of the Sheraton Hotel (1211 N. West Avenue) in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Probable Starters South Dakota (12-3, 0-0) G - 5 - Meghan Woster, 6'0, Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D. (5.4 ppg, 8.47 apg, 4.0 rpg) G - 22 - Ashley Bjorkman, 5'10, So., Vermillion, S.D. (9.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg.) F - 24 - Vanessa Yanez, 5'11, Jr., Wagner, S.D. (11.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg.) F - 32 - Erica Schroeder, 6'1, Jr., Miller, S.D. (5.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg) F - 25 - Bridget Yoerger, 5'11, Fr., Hinton, Iowa (15.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg)

Augustana (12-3, 1-0) G - 3 - Alison Adamson, 5'5, Jr., Willmar, Minn. (13.9 ppg, 3.9 apg) G - 12 - Chelsea DeVille, 5'9, Rfr., Watertown, S.D. (7.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg) G - 24 - Andrea Seefeldt, 5'10, Sr., Clark, S.D. (13.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg ) F - 33 - Jessica Klein, 6'0, Sr., Dell Rapids, S.D. (10.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg) F - 43 - Ashley Holiday, 6'2, So., Hayti, S.D. (9.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg)

Coyotes Turn Up Defensive Pressure over Last 10 Games During the last 10 games, defense has been a major reason why USD has put together a 9-1 record. In that 10-game span, USD has limited opponents to 54.3 points per game while putting together a 39.7 to 36.2 rebound advantage. The Coyotes have held opponents to 34.8 percent shooting from the field (196-of-564) and 28.7 percent from three-point range (51-of-178). USD has also forced opponents into 16.5 turnovers a game. In addition, USD is averaging 9.2 steals and 3.5 blocked shots per game. Meanwhile on offense, USD has averaged 75.1 points per game during the 10-game stretch. USD has made 45.6 percent (274-of-601) from the field and 35.6 percent (84-of-236) from three-point range, as well as 71.3 percent from the free throw stripe (119-of-167). Led by Meghan Woster's (Sioux Falls, S.D.) 9.9 assists per game, the Coyotes have dished out 20.5 assists and committed just 13.0 turnovers in the streak. Freshman forward Bridget Yoerger (Hinton, Iowa) has put up 17.1 points and grabbed 5.9 rebounds per contest in the last 10 games.

About South Dakota Overall in 2005-06, the Coyotes are outscoring opponents by a 73.1 to 57.7 margin. USD also leads in rebounding at 38.3 to 37.0 for opponents. The Coyotes are hitting 44.2 percent from the field on 385-of-872 shooting. USD has made 35.4 percent from three-point range, making 134-of-379 shots. The Coyotes are hitting 71.6 percent from the foul line on 192-of-268 shooting. USD opponents are making 36.6 percent (318-of-869) from the field, including 28 percent (69-of-246) from three-point range. Opponents are making 69 percent of their shots from the charity stripe on 160-of-232 shooting. Overall, USD owns a 539 to 407 scoring advantage over opponents during the first half of games. USD also has a 557 to 458 advantage in the second half for an overall scoring margin of 1,096 points to 865 for opponents. This season, USD is averaged 19.1 assists, 14.1 turnovers, 9.3 steals and 3.3 blocked shots per game. A year ago, USD recorded a 17-13 overall record, including 3-9 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 USD is 12-3 for the first time since the 2003-04 squad opened with a 15-1 record. In NCC openers, USD owns a 10-13 record. The Coyotes own a 4-7 record in NCC road openers. The Coyotes are 10-1 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 percent (26-of-50) from the field in a 61-60 win over UC-San Diego on Nov. 25. 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.

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 15.1 points (fifth in the NCC) and 6.3 rebounds (10th in the league) per game. Yoerger, who has recorded 14 starts in 15 games and averaged 23.3 minutes per game, has recorded 13 double digit scoring games, including 12-in-a-row. She has broken the 20-point mark on three 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 at Minnesota-Crookston. At the Classic, she hit 57.1 percent of her field goals and 7-of-9 from the charity strike. She was named NCC Player of the Week after her play at the Southwest Minnesota State Classic. Overall, Yoerger has hit 94-of-174 field goals for 54 percent (eighth in the NCC) and 37-of-56 free throws for 66.1 percent. Of her 94 rebounds, she has 42 offensive boards. She has recorded 25 steals and 10 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 the Nation in Assists; Coyotes Listed in Top 40 in Several Categories Senior point guard Meghan Woster of Sioux Falls, S.D., ranks third in the nation in assists at 8.5 per game. She has 127 assists in 15 games this season with her single game total of 15 vs. William Penn on Dec. 11, 2005, ranking as the best performance in the nation. USD ranks third in made three-pointers per game at 8.9. Ahead of USD is Tusculum at 9.5 and West Liberty at 9.3. In three point field goal percentage, Ashley Bjorkman of Vermillion, S.D., is 29th nationally at 43 percent while Vanessa Yanez of Wagner, S.D., ranks 30th in the nation with 2.7 made three-pointers each game. USD ranks 39th in scoring defense at 57.7 points per game.

Woster Moves Up Career Assists, Blocked Shots Chart Senior point guard Meghan Woster, who is leading the league with 8.47 assists per game, has moved up the USD career assist chart. With 127 assists this season, Woster now has 466 and has moved into third-place on USD's career assists chart, passing Kelly Gese (439, 1996-2001). 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 seven blocked shots this season and has moved into a fourth-place tie with Diane Lutz (1984-89) on USD's career list with 68 blocked shots. Ahead of Woster is Jean Misterek (1983-87), first, 134; Mandy Koupal (2000-04), second, 121; and Amy Heller (1987-91), third, 81. Woster, who is averaging 4.0 rebounds and 5.4 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 hit 23-of-81 field goals for 28.4 percent and 11-of-35 three-point field goals for 31.4 percent. Woster is making 77.4 percent from the foul line on 24-of-31 shooting. She has seven blocked shots and 19 steals. Yanez Continues Move Up Career Three-Point Chart Junior forward Vanessa Yanez of Wagner, S.D., needs two three-point baskets to move into sixth-place and past Anne Knudtson (131, 1994-98) on USD's career three-point shots list. With four three-pointers, Yanez will also pass Krista Orsack (133, 2000-02) for fifth-place all-time. This season, Yanez has knocked down a team-high 40-of-99 three-point shots for 40.4 percent. She leads the NCC with 2.67 made three-pointers per game. Her total of 40 three-point shots is also an NCC-best. Yanez, who is averaging 11 points per game for the Coyotes, has made 130-of-338 (38.4 percent) three-point shots in her career. This season, Yanez has seven double digit scoring games, including a season-high of 20 in the win over Chadron State on Dec. 31, 2006. In that game, she hit a season-high of six three-pointers (11 attempts), which is her best long-distance shooting performance of the season. Yanez has made 59-of-126 field goals for 46.8 percent and 7-of-12 free throws. She has scored 165 points and is averaging 3.5 rebounds per contest. Yanez has started in 13 of the 15 games this season. In her career, Yanez now has 32 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. Krista Orsack (2000-02) 133 6. Anne Knudtson (1994-98) 131 7. Vanessa Yanez (2003-present) 130 8. Erin Bourne (2002-04) 97 9. Mandy Koupal (2001-04) 93 10. Sherri Bitter (1991-95) 81

Series Notes In 26 games against Augustana, South Dakota women's head coach Chad Lavin has a 17-9 record, including a 2-1 mark in 2004-05. Lavin directed the Coyotes to an 84-83 win in the Wells Fargo Finals (semifinals) last spring in Grand Forks, N.D. USD also defeated Augustana, 81-57, at the DakotaDome on Jan. 8, 2005, before dropping a 64-60 decision to the Vikings on Feb. 24, 2005, at the Sioux Falls Arena. Overall, USD owns a 34-24 series advantage against Augustana.

About Augustana in 2005-06 The Vikings, who currently own a four-game winning streak, has compiled an 12-3 mark and opened the NCC season with a 80-64 win over Nebraska-Omaha (12-3, 0-1). The Vikings picked up the win with 18 points from both Alison Adamson and Andrea Seefeldt. Karen Thies led UNO with 24 points. Adamson leads the Vikings in scoring at 13.9 points per game. She has a team-best 36 (96 attempts) three-point field goals on 37.5 percent shooting. She is a 68.4 percent foul shooter (26-of-38). Andrea Seefeldt averages 13.6 points per game and she has hit 34.3 percent from three-point range on 35-of-102 shooting. A third Augustana starter, Jessica Klein, also averages double digits at 10.5 points per game. Ashley Holiday leads the team with 7.3 rebounds per game. Overall Augustana averages 77.3 points while allowing 58.5 points per game. They have hit 40.8 percent (427-of-1047) of their field goals, including 32.4 percent (122-of-376) from three-point range. At the foul line, Augustana has made 61.8 percent (183-of-296) of its shots. The Vikings own a 43.3 to 42.7 rebounding advantage over its opponents. The Vikings averaged 19.5 assists, 14.5 turnovers, 13.4 steals and 6.1 blocked shots per game.

On Augustana Head Coach Dave Krauth In his 17th season at Augustana, Dave Krauth has compiled a career mark of 321-153, which places him first on the Augustana career victory list for head coaches. He has directed eight 20-win seasons. His teams have produced 33 All-NCC performers, three league MVPs, while twice leading the nation in scoring (1990s). Seven of his teams have earned invitations to the NCAA Division II national playoffs. He was the NCC Coach of the Year in 1990 and the South Dakota Sportwriters Coach of the Year in 1994. Krauth has also been named the South Dakota Basketball Coaches Association Women's College Coach of the Year in 1989-90, 1990-91 and 2004-05. Prior to taking the Augustana job, he was a teacher and coach at Tri-Valley High in Colton, S.D.; and Roosevelt High in Des Moines, Iowa. He compiled a high school mark of 347-143 while guiding eight teams to the state tournament. He is a 1974 graduate of the University of Sioux Falls and also earned a master's degree from SDSU in 1983. He and his wife, Sandy, have two daughter Julie and Katie.

Last Time - USD 84 Augustana 83 in Wells Fargo Finals Jenni Flynn hit a 23-foot three-point field goal with 0.8 seconds to play to lift the South Dakota Women's Basketball Team (17-12) to an 84-83 come-from-behind win over Augustana in the semifinals of the Wells Fargo North Central Conference Tournament at the Betty Engelstad Center in Grand Forks, N.D. on Friday. Flynn of South Sioux City, Neb., had a double double with 28 points and 11 rebounds. But it was Flynn's long range mastery that proved critical to the Coyotes' success. She made 8-of-10 from three-point range, including six three-pointers in the final 4:38, helping USD to a 20-9 run to end the game. Ashley Robinette, also from South Sioux City, Neb., had a double double with 20 points and 16 rebounds. Forward Vanessa Yanez of Wagner, S.D., had 10 points while junior Brittany Bessert of Fort Collins, Colo., contributed nine points and five rebounds. Junior point guard Meghan Woster had nine points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Augustana was led by Lindsey Fischbach, who had a double double for the Vikings with a career-high 36 points and 16 rebounds. Erin Johnson added 17 points and Andrea Seefeldt supplied 11 points. USD trailed, 51-36, with 15:17 to play before outscoring the Vikings, 48-32, during the remainder of the game to claim an unlikely win. With 1:04 to play against Augustana, Flynn was again on fire, hitting her fifth three-pointer of the game to cut the lead to five, 78-73. Overall, USD made 27-of-82 field goals for 32.9 percent, including 13-of-37 for 35.1 percent from three point range. USD made 17-of-24 from the foul line for 70.8 percent. Augustana was 33-of-75 from the field for 44 percent, including 7-of-19 from three-point range for 36.8 percent. The Vikings made 10-of-17 free throws for 58.8 percent. Both teams had 53 rebounds. USD committed just eight turnovers to 13 for Augustana.

South Dakota Picked Fourth in NCC Coaches Poll The South Dakota Women's Basketball Team, which finished with a 17-13 record a year ago, has been picked to finish fourth in the North Central Conference, according to a vote of the league coaches. South Dakota received 22 points (four fourth-place and three sixth-place votes) which tied Minnesota-State, Mankato (three fourth place, three fifth-place and a seventh-place vote). North Dakota, which won the regular season title (10-2) and also claimed the conference tournament championship, was the favorite of the league coaches to capture the 2005-06 crown. UND picked up 48 points (six first-place and one second-place vote) while St. Cloud State was second with 42 points (one first-place, five second-place and a third-place ballot). Minnesota-Duluth, which was second a year ago, is picked to finish third with 36 points (one second and six third-place votes). After USD and MSU, Augustana (two fifth, two sixth, and three seventh-place ballots) and Nebraska-Omaha (two fifth, two sixth and three seventh-place ballots) are picked to finish in a tie for sixth with 13 points.

Coach Lavin Is Coaching 12th Season at South Dakota Coach Lavin, who has guided South Dakota to four North Central Conference titles at South Dakota, is in eighth season (12th overall) coaching the women's basketball program. He is coaching in his 24th collegiate season, overall. USD is 12-3 in 2005-06. Lavin directed the Coyotes to a 17-13 record overall and 3-9 in the NCC in 2004-05. Coach Lavin has a 215-120 (.639) record at South Dakota. He sports a 390-280 (.582) overall record. In NCC play, he has a 91-73 (.555) NCC mark. At the DakotaDome, Lavin owns a 121-38 record (.761). Since his return to USD, the Coyotes own a 132-84 record (.610), including a 54-60 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, three 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. 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. His 1984-85 team recorded the second-best record in school history at 23-6. 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 South Dakota men's basketball team, he was academic All-NCC in 1978. Lavin 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.

Quick Take on USD in NCC Stats Senior guard Meghan Woster of Sioux Falls, S.D., leads the NCC with 8.47 assists per game. Woster is also second in assist/turnover ratio at 3.10 (127 assists, 41 turnovers). Freshman forward Bridget Yoerger is fifth in the NCC with 15.1 points per game. Yoerger also ranks 10th in rebounding with 6.3 per game, including 2.80 offensive rebounds per game (fifth in the league). Vanessa Yanez leads the NCC in made three-point field goals at 2.67 with an NCC-best 40 threes on the season. USD's Ashley Bjorkman is third in made three-pointers at 2.47 per game, converting 37-of-86 for 43 percent, which ranks fifth in the NCC. The Coyotes rank first in the league in made three-pointers, knocking down an average of 8.93 a game. USD led the nation in the category a year ago. USD has hit 134 this season in 15 games. USD ranks third in the league in three-point field goal percentage at 35.4 percent. USD is second in three-point field goal defense at 28 percent. USD is also second in assist/turnover ratio at a ratio of 1.55 (286 assists to 212 turnovers).