The Game
South Dakota hosts No. 22 Missouri State at 7 p.m. Monday night inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion.
 
The Coyotes
Let's call it "No Sleep November" as the Coyotes (5-0) continue through the rigors of one of the toughest nonconference slates in program history. After starting off the season with three of its first four games on the road, South Dakota's home slate includes three NCAA Tournament teams right off the bat. The Coyotes are coming off a pair of Power 5 victories at the Pac-12's Utah (84-81 OT) and against the SEC's Missouri (72-56). Before a Nov. 29 meeting with the Big Ten's Ohio State is one of the nation's premier mid-majors this season, Missouri State. To date, the Coyotes have come out on top in four nail-biters decided in single-digits. All five Coyote starters are averaging double-figures through the first five games.
 
The Bears
No. 22 Missouri State is off to a hot start this year (5-1), thanks in part to a run in the Preseason WNIT. The Bears finished runner-up in the tournament to No. 7 Oregon State, falling 80-69 in Corvallis. MSU boasts road wins at Oklahoma (in the Preseason WNIT semifinal game) and at No. 23 Minnesota in the season opener. Senior guard Alexa Willard, who was the 2019 Missouri Valley Tournament MVP as the bears defeated Drake to advance to the NCAA Tournament, has averaged 19.8 points in the first six games while shooting 54 percent. Junior guard Brice Calip joins her in double-figures with 13.6 points per game.
 
The Series
This marks the second meeting in program history with Missouri State, with the first coming a year ago in Springfield. The Coyotes won 85-74 behind 23 points from Ciara Duffy and 20 from Allison Arens. Hannah Sjerven scored 17 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked seven shots in the game to go on to earn Summit League Player of the Week accolades. South Dakota's win sent the Bears to 1-5. Missouri State went on to win 24 of their last 27 games, advancing to the NCAA's Sweet Sixteen.
 
One Last Thing
In mid-major matchups this season, the Summit League preseason favorites (South Dakota) own victories over the Horizon League favorites (Green Bay) and the Missouri Valley favorites (Drake). Next on deck is the Valley's second pick in the preseason poll, Missouri State.