The SeriesSouth Dakota leads the all-time series 7-3. The Jaguars were one of three teams to defeat the Coyotes in last year's regular season title run. South Dakota has won all four home games in the series dating back to 2011-12.
The GameSouth Dakota remains tied at the top of the Summit League standings after a win over Fort Wayne Thursday. IUPUI dropped a double-overtime game at South Dakota State which knocked them a step down from the four-way tie for first. South Dakota, South Dakota State, and Oral Roberts all lead the away with a 5-1 record.
South Dakota leads the league in points per game (79.7), field-goal percentage (44.9 percent), rebounds (41.4 rpg), rebounding margin (8.9), assists (18.4 apg), and steals (10.4 spg). The Coyotes have the 13th-best scoring offense in the country highlighted by senior guard
Nicole Seekamp who is the only player in the nation averaging 16 points, six assists, and three steals per game. Teammates
Tia Hemiller (11.5) and
Caitlin Duffy (10.4) are also averaging in double-figures for the Coyotes.
IUPUI dragged South Dakota State to double-overtime Thursday night and eventually fell 68-66. Three Jaguars average in double figures including center Mikale Rogers (12.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg), guard Danielle Lawrence (11.8 ppg), and forward Akilah Sims (11.8 ppg). Sims was a pre-season Summit League pick, but has missed to recent Summit League games. She came off the bench at SDSU, scoring five points and grabbing five rebounds in 17 minutes of action. IUPUI allows opponents just 57.8 points per game, the lowest in the league. The Jaguars' opponents have been held to 38.0 percent from the field and 26.4 from outside the 3-point line.
Climbing the Coyote Career ChartsSeekamp hit a 3-point field goal with 2:17 remaining in the third quarter to reach 1,762 career points. The bucket pushed her past Amber Hegge for second on USD's all-time scoring chart. Seekamp also currently ranks fourth in assists (506) and third in steals (229). She needs one assist to tie Jodie Pipes for third.
Senior center
Margaret McCloud has also moved into the program's top-10 for rebounds and blocks. McCloud ranks ninth for rebounds (686) and ninth for blocks (67). She needs one block or five rebounds to tie for eighth in either category.
Hemiller ranks 14th for assists with 277. She needs 37 more this season to crack the top-10. Hemiller joined McCloud earlier this season as one of 20 players in program history to notch 750 points and 500 rebounds.
1,000 Point WatchMcCloud, Hemiller, and junior
Jasmine Trimboli are each closing in on the 1,000-point mark for their careers. McCloud has 942 and Hemiller has 846 in four seasons as Coyotes. Trimboli has 937 after spending two seasons at Iowa Western CC and scoring 105 in a Coyote uniform.
#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. This season, the Coyotes are in a three-way tie and needs a win over IUPUI to remain at the top.
