GAME 36: South Dakota (29-6) vs. Western Kentucky (27-6)
When	Sunday, March 27, 2016 | 7 p.m. CT
Where	DakotaDome | Vermillion, S.D.
TV	None
Watch Online	GoYotes.com
Radio	Coyote Sports Network KVHT 106.3 (John Thayer)
Live Stats	GoYotes.com
South Dakota Links	Game Notes | Roster | Schedule | Stats
Western Kentucky Links	Game Notes | Roster | Schedule | Stats
Summit League Links	Summit League Notes | Website
WNIT Links	Tournament Home | Bracket
Social Media	@SDCoyotesWBB | #FeaRed | #GoYotes

WNIT and the Postseason
In its furthest WNIT run in program history, South Dakota has now improved to 5-2 in the tournament. Western Kentucky holds an all-time WNIT record of 16-12. The Coyotes earend the automatic berth to the WNIT with a 15-1 Summit League record. The Hilltoppers are one of three non-automatic qualifiers to remain in the WNIT quarterfinals. Both teams advanced past the third round in dramatic fashion. The Coyotes knocked nearly two minutes off the clock by grabbing offensive rebounds and winding down the shot clock before forcing Northern Iowa into taking an off-balance three at the buzzer to win 51-50. The Hilltoppers inbounded and drilled a three with 0.9 seconds remaining in overtime to defeat Saint Louis.

The Series
This is the first meeting between South Dakota and Western Kentucky.

Scouting South Dakota
South Dakota uses a quick style of play coupled with well-rounded scoring to post the nation's 12th-best scoring offense at 78.4 points per game. The Coyotes are 26-1 this season when scoring at least 70 points in a game. Leading USD is the Summit League Player of the Year, senior guard Nicole Seekamp with 16.3 points, 6.3 assists and 2.6 steals per game. Second team honoree, senior guard Tia Hemiller is close behind with 10.5 points, a team-high 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Senior guard Kelly Stewart, who earned a spot on the Summit League All-Tournament team, has made a large impact in the postseason averaging 13.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in six postseason games. In addition to scoring, the Coyotes are well-rounded in rebounding with a deep bench.

Scouting Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky has a trio of players contributing 65 percent of the team's scoring. The Hilltoppers are led by Conference USA Player of the Year Kendall Noble's average 18.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists. Tashia Brown adds 17.7 points per game and Ivy Brown contributes 11.6 points per game. The Hilltoppers posted wins over NCAA Tournament qualifiers Louisville, Belmont and Middle Tennessee this season.

A record-setting season
The 2015-16 South Dakota squad has broken single-season team records for points (2,744), assists (624), rebounds (1,451) and field goals made-attempted (1004-2220). The Coyotes need 27 steals to take the single-season records in those categories. Additionally, Nicole Seekamp has the school record for career starts with 127 while Tia Hemiller and Margaret McCloud have the school record for career games played at 132.

Seekamp in the record books
Senior guard Nicole Seekamp became the second 2,000 point scorer in USD history last Sunday at Minnesota. The senior also ranks second in assists (605) and steals (263). Seekamp also became the Summit League's all-time assists leader Thursday against Northern Iowa. She ranks fifth in points and seventh in steals in Summit record books. Seekamp needs 26 points to improve to fourth all-time for points.

1,000 Point Watch
Senior guard Tia Hemiller needs six points to reach 1,000 for her career. WIth 610 rebounds, she would become the 14th player in program history with 1,000 points and 500 rebounds. Senior center Margaret McCloud and junior guard Jasmine Trimboli both reached 1,000 points at Fort Wayne on Feb. 25.

Ahead in the Bracket
The winner of Thursday's game will face either Oregon (RPI 85) or UTEP (RPI 37) in the WNIT semifinal.