South Dakota and North Dakota State tip-off in the quarterfinals of the Summit League Tournament at 2:30 p.m. Saturday inside the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The Game
In a quick turnaround with less than 10 days since the previous meeting, second-seeded South Dakota and seventh-seeded North Dakota State face off again. This marks just the second time the two programs will meet in Sioux Falls and the first meeting since 2013. The third quarter was huge for the Coyotes during the regular season series as USD's defense held the Bison to a combined 14 points in the period in the two games.

The Coyotes
No. 25 South Dakota (26-4, 14-2 Summit) is the Summit's top defense in a league filled with high-powered offenses. The Coyotes have held 18 opponents under 60 this season, including a five-game streak of holding foes to 50 or fewer points. South Dakota brought home four of six major Summit League awards, highlighted by senior guard Allison Arens as the Summit League Defensive Player of the Year. Arens joined junior guard Ciara Duffy on the all-Summit League first team again, while sophomore center Hannah Sjerven and sophomore guard Chloe Lamb were honorable mention selections. Sjerven brought home the league's Sixth Woman of the Year and Transfer of the Year awards as well. USD head coach Dawn Plitzuweit was named the Summit League Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season. Plitzuweit is the first South Dakota head coach to reach 20 wins in three-straight seasons, let alone her first three. The Coyotes' 26 regular season victories ties the program record from 2008.

The Bison
North Dakota State (7-21, 4-12 Summit) enters the Summit League Tournament as the seven-seed for the third consecutive season. The Bison dropped the opening round to South Dakota State a year ago inside the Denny. Sophomore guard Michelle Gaislerova leads the Bison with 14.8 points per game and has hit 74 triples this season. She got hot behind the arc in the last meeting with the Coyotes, knocking down 6-of-9 from 3-point range.

The Series
North Dakota State leads the all-time series 42-30, but the Coyotes have been victorious in 12 of the last 13 meetings. South Dakota swept the regular season series, winning 67-41 in Fargo and 76-57 at home in Vermillion. The two teams have met in Sioux Falls just once since the Coyotes joined the Summit League. That meeting came in 2013 with the Yotes coming out on top, 73-53.

One Last Thing
After averaging nearly nine 3's through the first 14 league games, the Coyotes had just six combined (four vs. North Dakota State, two vs. North Dakota) triples in their last two games. South Dakota instead dominated the inside game, outscoring the two teams by a combined 90-32 in the paint.

Mick and John: Summit League Tournament Preview
John Thayer of the Coyote Sports Network and Mick Garry, a special contributor to GoYotes.com, sat down to discuss the Coyote men's and women's basketball teams at the Summit League Tournament in Sioux Falls. Check out their takes on what to watch for as you head to the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.