The SeriesSouth Dakota leads the all-time series 4-2. Since Denver joined the Summit League in 2013-14, the Coyotes are 4-1. South Dakota has won four straight, sweeping the Pioneers last season and defeating them in the Summit League Championship in 2014.
The GameThe Coyotes open Summit League play by hosting Denver inside the DakotaDome Friday. Denver dropped its first Summit League contest to South Dakota State, 76-39, at Denver on Wednesday. South Dakota boasts an RPI of 63, while Denver's is 278.
South Dakota remains ranked in the nation's top-30 for assists, triples, steals, rebounds, and scoring offense. The Coyotes are well-rested over the holidays, coming off a road win at Illinois on Dec. 22. Senior guard
Nicole Seekamp is the only player in the country averaging above 14.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 steals per game. Senior guard
Tia Hemiller is on a 10-game streak of scoring in double digits for the Yotes. She became the 20th player in program history with 750 points and 500 rebounds at UND.
While the Coyotes stick with a fast-paced game consisting of steals and fast breaks for a league-leading 80.1 points per game, Denver prefers to slow the pace down with the lowest scoring offense in the league at 53.6 points per game. With the fast pace, the Coyotes give up an average 69.1 points per contest while Denver's defense only allows 63.8. Denver freshman Samantha Romanowski leads the Pioneers this season at 11.3 points per game, while preseason all-league pick senior Paige Bradley contributes 11.1 points a contest. Sophomore Jordan Alt attacks the boards with 7.7 a game for the Pioneers and her 100 this season ranks 81st in the nation.
Last Time OutSouth Dakota defeated Illinois, 85-76, on Dec. 22 for the program's fourth win against a Big Ten team in history and the first Power Five upset of the season. Senior guard
Nicole Seekamp scored a game-high 21 points, handed out six assists, grabbed five boards, and had three steals. Senior guard
Tia Hemiller tallied 20 more points and grabbed seven rebounds. Freshman guard
Jaycee Bradley had 17 of South Dakota's 38 first-half points for a new career high. Senior center
Margaret McCloud was the fourth Coyote in double figures, contributing 11 points.
Climbing the Record BooksSenior guard
Nicole Seekamp continues to climb the program record books in several categories. She ranks third for career points (1,645), fourth in assists (467), and is fourth in steals (216). She needs one steal to tie Ann Pancoast (217) for third.
Senior guard
Tia Hemiller also made her mark on the program at North Dakota. She became the 20th player in program history to reach 750 points and 500 rebounds. Senior center
Margaret McCloud is the only other active Coyote to have achieved this feat.
#MarchToTheSummitSouth Dakota finished 2014-15 with a 13-3 Summit League record and regular season title. The Coyotes only dropped road contests to Oral Roberts, IUPUI, and South Dakota State. The title defense begins Friday with Denver.
