The SeriesThe all-time series is tied at two apiece. USD and ORU have been in the Summit League for two complete seasons together (2011-12, 2014-15) and split the contests both years. Last season, the Coyotes won the home game 93-70. The Golden Eagles handed the Yotes one of three league losses, 81-65, inside the Mabee Center.
The GameThese Summit League foes are each looking for their second league win of the season. South Dakota topped Denver 85-60 in its league opener, while Oral Roberts split its opening weekend on the road at IUPUI and Western Illinois. Wednesday will be Oral Roberts' fourth home game of the season and second Division I opponent at home. South Dakota ranks 82nd in the RPI while Oral Roberts comes in at 172.
South Dakota hopes to avenge an 81-65 loss inside the Mabee Center from a year ago. The Coyotes have won four straight and 10 of their last 11 games. South Dakota is paced by senior guard
Nicole Seekamp who is one of two players in the nation averaging 14 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.5 steals per game. Senior guard
Tia Hemiller is close behind at 12.1 points and a team-high 5.7 rebounds per game. Hemiller's on an 11-game streak of scoring in double figures.
Oral Roberts' 4-10 record is in part thanks to its difficult non-conference slate. The Golden Eagles were at home just three times, while traveling to #4 Baylor, Oklahoma State, Michigan, Arkansas, and Kansas. Oral Roberts snuck away with a 70-63 win over the Jayhawks on the same night the Coyotes upset Illinois 85-76. Three Golden Eagles average above 10 points a contest - Kaylan Mayberry (10.8), Bria Pitts (10.6), and Faith Ihim (10.1). Mayberry scored a career high 25 points in the win over Kansas. She's also averaging 20.5 points, 4.0 steals, and 3.5 rebounds in league play after opening weekend.
The Coyotes prefer a quicker pace with a full-court press, steals, and fast breaks for league-leading 80.4 points per game. Similar to Denver, Oral Roberts settles the ball to run the full offense - averaging 58.4 points per game. With four true guards in starting roles, a third of the Coyotes' shots have been 3-point field goal attempts. South Dakota ranks ninth in the country for triples made with 127 this season and leads the league in accuracy at 39.0 percent. Oral Roberts leads the league in 3-point defense - allowing only 24.8 percent outside the arc.
Last Time OutSouth Dakota topped Denver 85-60 inside the DakotaDome in its league opener on New Year's Day. Four Coyotes reached double figures, led by Seekamp who was one assist shy of a double-double with 17 points and nine assists. Senior guard
Kelly Stewart posted a season best 15 points and sophomore center
Kate Liveringhouse had 11 points and five rebounds. Hemiller had her 11th straight game in double figures at 10 points and grabbed a game-high six rebounds. Denver's Paige Bradley made five 3-pointers, including a half-court shot before the first half buzzer, in the first half to help the Pioneers hang on early.
A Mark on the Record BooksSeekamp has stamped a mark on program record books during her Coyote career. She ranks third for career points (1,662), fourth in assists (476), and third in steals (219).
#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 continues Wednesday with Oral Roberts.
