SAN JOSE, Calif.—South Dakota's on a five-game win streak that includes three home games, one true road game, and a neutral site game.
The Coyotes (5-3) have had at least four players reach double figures in each win. Working as a team, South Dakota ranks in the top-30 in the nation for triples made, assists, scoring offense, and rebounding.
South Dakota faces San Jose State (1-5) for the first time in program history. The Spartans have had a tough non-conference slate with South Dakota as the fifth opponent to reach the WNIT in 2014-15. The Preseason Mountain West Newcomer of the Year Dezz Ramos leads the Spartans with 17.4 ppg.
Summit League Preseason Player of the Year senior guard
Nicole Seekamp carries an impressive stat line herself. Her 15.2 points per game is sixth in the Summit League. She's also averaging 6.5 assists per game, which tops the league and ranks 16th nationally. Her 3.0 steals per game puts her at 32nd in the nation.
Junior guard
Caitlin Duffy has made 27-of-53 beyond the arc, which is the fifth-most made 3-point field goals in the nation. Duffy ended Saturday's game versus Portland State tied for second nationally, but dropped to fifth after Sunday's games.
The Coyotes are starting four guards this season and shooting a lot of 3-point field goals.
South Dakota is 40.1 percent outside the perimeter as a collective, which ranks 10th in the nation and leads the league. South Dakota's 77 made 3-point field goals ranks sixth nationally. The Coyotes are averaging 9.6 triples per game.
South Dakota also has the 24th-best scoring offense in the country at 79.8 points per game.
When it comes to sharing the ball, the Coyotes are 13th in the nation for both assists and assists-per-game. South Dakota has 152 assists and 19.0 apg.
When the triples don't fall, the Coyotes are also one of the best rebounding teams in the country. South Dakota's rebounding margin is 13.1 over its opponents, with the Yotes averaging 45.9 rebounds per game.
With a 54-22 halftime lead versus Portland State last time out, the Coyote reserves saw a lot of minutes.
All 13 Coyotes on the roster scored a bucket and the trio of freshmen had career-high games. Six Coyotes scored in double figures – Seekamp (18), senior guard
Tia Hemiller (12), Duffy (11), freshman guard
Allison Arens (10), freshman guard
Jaycee Bradley (10), and sophomore center
Kate Liveringhouse (10). South Dakota's bench had a total 51 points in the win.
Tonight's tip-off is set for 9 p.m. CST. Fans can watch online here, listen via Coyote Sports Network with John Thayer on KVTK 1570, and follow live stats here.
