The Game
South Dakota's California trip continues as the Coyotes head to CSU Bakersfield. They will face the Roadrunners for the second time this season, this time in Icardo Center in Bakersfield, California.
 
Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. central time. The game will be available on ESPN+. Fans can also tune into the game on the Coyote Sports Network with John Thayer on KVHT 106.3 FM in Yankton/Vermillion, KQSF 95.7 in Sioux Falls, or by using the Varsity Network app.
 
The Coyotes
South Dakota (7-4) is looking to complete the season sweep of Cal State Bakersfield. The Coyotes' trip to Bakersfield fulfills the same-season home-and-home that brought the Roadrunners to Vermillion on Dec. 9.
 
The Coyotes defeated the Roadrunners 78-73 inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center behind Lahat Thioune's fourth double-double of the season. His 23 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the floor was just one point shy of his career high. Thioune leads the league in double-doubles and in all four rebounding categories: rebounds (90), defensive rebounds per game (6.1), offensive rebounds per game (2.9), and rebounds per game (9.0).
 
Bostyn Holt was also just one point shy of tying his career-high with 15 points on 4-of-11 shooting from the field and 6-of-9 shooting from the free throw line. In familiar fashion, Holt drove in the layup that would help the Yotes defeat the 'Runners. Holt drove in the game-winning layup just before time expired to help South Dakota defeat former Summit foe Western Illinois in Macomb on Dec. 3.
 
The Bruns brothers each put up 12 points last time around against the 'Runners. It was Paul Bruns' fifth-straight double-digit scoring game and Isaac Bruns' fourth double-figure game of the season.
 
The Roadrunners
Cal State Bakersfield (4-6) is looking to snap a two-game skid that started with the 78-73 loss to South Dakota on Dec. 9 in Vermillion. The Roadrunners remain undefeated at home so far this season.
 
In the first meeting this season, Ugnius Jarusevicius checked in for the first time in the second half for the 'Runners and had a team-high 16 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field. Fidelis Okereke also added 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field and grabbed seven rebounds.
 
The Roadrunners were the first team to outrebound the Coyotes this season, a team that was ranked fourth in the NCAA in rebounds per game at the time. CSUB grabbed 38 boards compared to South Dakota's 30 and had 48 points in the paint and 17 second-chance points.  
 
Kaleb Higgins leads the 'Runners on offense with 17.1 points per game, which is double the next closest scorer on the team (Ugnius Jarusevicius, 8.6 ppg). Higgins had 13 points on 6-of-15 shooting from the field and 1-of-4 shooting from the three-point line against South Dakota earlier this season. The senior guard has scored in double-figures in nine of 10 games so far this season and has four 20+ point games.
 
The Series
The first meeting dates back to the 2014-15 season when South Dakota traveled to Bakersfield. The Yotes narrowly defeated the Roadrunners 68-66. CSUB picked up its first win of the series in the 2015-16 season as they defeated the Coyotes 77-67 in Vermillion, the first of three-straight games in Vermillion. Tuesday's meeting marks just the second time South Dakota has made the trek to Bakersfield.
 
One Last Thing
As a squad, the Coyotes lead the Summit League in three statistical categories: three point shooting percentage, rebounding margin, and assists. Thioune's 9.0 rebounds per game leads the league (47^th NCAA) and helps South Dakota grab 42.5 rebounds per game (19^th NCAA).