GAME 22: South Dakota (16-5, 7-1 Summit) vs. North Dakota State (6-15, 1-7 Summit)
When	Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016 | 4:30 p.m. CT
Where	DakotaDome | Vermillion, S.D.
TV	MidcoSN (Jay Elsen, Brad Newitt, Carla Metts)
Watch Online	GoYotes.com (FREE) / ESPN3
Radio	Coyote Sports Network: KVHT 106.3 (John Thayer)
Live Stats	GoYotes.com
South Dakota Links	Game Notes | Roster | Schedule | Stats
North Dakota St. Links	Game Notes | Roster | Schedule | Stats
Summit League Links	Summit League Notes | Website
Social Media	@SDCoyotesWBB | #FeaRed | #GoYotes

The Series
North Dakota State leads the series 41-24, dating back to 1977. South Dakota has an 8-2 edge over North Dakota State in Div. I. The Coyotes have won six straight, including a double-overtime thriller earlier this season.

The Game
South Dakota tips off the second half of Summit League action with North Dakota State. Two weeks ago in Fargo, senior guard Nicole Seekamp hit a clutch jumper as the clock experience in regulation to send the game to overtime. Seekamp then stole the ball away on the Bison's final posession to ensure a Coyote 96-94 victory.

The Coyotes have the 12th-best scoring offense in the nation at 80.1 points per game. Those points are spread across the roster as the Coyotes share the ball incredibly well, ranking sixth nationally in assists. Seekamp is the only player in the nation averaging 16 points, six assists, and three steals per game. Senior guard Tia Hemiller (11.4) and junior guard Caitlin Duffy (10.2) both average in double-figures this season. In league play alone, Seekamp is averaging 19.9 points per game while senior guard Kelly Stewart is averaging 11.8.

The Bison have had a week of much-needed rest since winning their first league game 94-85 over Fort Wayne last Saturday in Fargo. North Dakota State's nine-man roster has been limited to seven or eight active players for all of league play. After two Bison fouled out last time against the Coyotes, there was no bench available for North Dakota State through both overtime periods. Reigning Summit League Player of the Week guard Marena Whittle averages a double-double in 17.9 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Whittle's 10 double-doubles puts her at 20th in the nation. Guard Taylor Thunstedt, who put up 31 against the Coyotes last time out, has made the eighth-most triples in the nation at 63. She's the only other Bison averaging double figures at 17.1 points per game.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day / Think Pink
In honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, the Coyotes will be available for a post-game question and answer session with young female athletes. Email Joe.Thuente@usd.edu to sign up for the question and answer session.

Saturday's game also has a "Think Pink" theme as the Coyotes come together to raise money for the Edith Sanford Breast Center. The Coyotes will be wearing pink and selling pink merchandise.

Last Time Out
Five Coyotes reached double-digit scoring as South Dakota surpassed the triple digits for the second consecutive year in Western Hall. The Coyotes defeated Western Illinois 102-77, led by Stewart's career high 19 points. Seekamp added a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists. Duffy scored 14 points while Hemiller and sophomore center Kate Liveringhouse each had 12. South Dakota outrebounded the Leathernecks 51-25 in the game. The Coyotes had 20 assists to nine turnovers.

Climbing the Coyote Career Charts
Seekamp moved into second in points (1,804) and third in assists (521) on USD's all-time charts last week. She also ranks third in steals (236). She needs 12 assists or 13 steals to tie for second in either category.

Senior center Margaret McCloud has also moved into the program's top-10 for rebounds and blocks. McCloud ranks ninth for rebounds (670) and ninth for blocks (67). She needs one block or one rebounds to tie for eighth in either category.

Hemiller ranks 14th for assists with 278. She needs 36 more this season to crack the top-10.

Only 11 players in program history have 1,000 points and 500 rebounds for their Coyote career. Seekamp is closing in on rebounds (447). Meanwhile, McCloud (950) and Hemiller (867) are closing in on points.

#MarchToTheSummit
After the first half of league play concluded, South Dakota remains a contender for the Summit League regular season title for the second consecutive season. The Coyotes finished 2014-15 with a 13-3 Summit League record and a regular season title. With eight games down, South Dakota and South Dakota State are tied for first at 7-1. The Coyotes handed the Jackrabbits their only league loss, while the Coyotes dropped a road contest at Oral Roberts back in early January.