VERMILLION, S.D. –  The South Dakota women's basketball program is looking to rebound from Wednesday's game as they are set to host Northern Arizona Saturday morning as a part of the Big Sky-Summit Challenge.
 
The Coyotes and Lumberjacks meet for a second straight year. The game is scheduled for 11 a.m., and fans who show their football ticket for Saturday's game with Tarleton State at the ticket window can redeem a $5 ticket for the women's basketball game.
 
HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG
The Coyotes and Lumberjacks will be on Midco Sports with David Brown and Brad Newitt on the call. The game will be streamed on the Summit League Network on Midco Sports Plus as well. Fans can listen to the game on KVHT 106.3 FM with John Thayer with pregame starting at 10:30 a.m.
 
LAST TIME OUT
In South Dakota's first game of the Big Sky-Summit Challenge, the Coyotes fell at Montana State 77-46.
• For the first time this season, Alexi Hempe led the Coyotes in scoring, totaling 14 points.
• Grace Larkins continues her double-digit scoring streak, stretching it to 11 games with 11 points in the loss.
• Carley Duffney matched a career-high with nine rebounds and Coral Mason tied her career best with three assists. Gabby Wilke set a new career high for points (6). Mason also recorded a career-high three blocks.
 
SCOUTING THE LUMBERJACKS
The Coyotes will face a familiar foe from last year's WNIT run when they welcome Northern Arizona back to the SCSC Saturday morning.
• Northern Arizona has been off to a blazing start to the season, defeating the likes of New Mexico (80-78) and Colorado State (84-80) on the road and earning a home victory over Arizona (92-75).
• Four Lumberjacks average 10+ points per game, led by Sophie Glancey (18.3) and Nyah Moran (16.0) who are both over 15 points per game.
 
SUMMIT LEAGUE PEAK PERFORMER
Through nine games, Grace Larkins has scored at a high-clip, averaging 23.7 points per game, and is this week's Summit League Peak Performer of the Week.
• She has scored over 20 points in six of nine games to start the season, including two 30-point games.
• Larkins leads the Summit League in points (23.7) and assists (5.4) per game, and is fourth in rebounds (8.3) per game.
• Larkins averaged 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 6.5 assists over two games last week to earn the Peak Performer of the Week honor.
 
INSIDE THE NORTHERN ARIZONA SERIES
The Coyotes and Lumberjacks meet for the 4th time in series history.
• Last season, The Coyotes defeated Northern Arizona 79-65 in the second round of the WNIT Tournament. Grace Larkins scored a career-high 34 points and recorded a double-double with 12 rebounds.
• The other two previous matchups were in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, with the Coyotes winning both games.
• Current Coyote assistant coach Amber (Hegge) Cunningham played in both of those games.
• She led the Coyotes with 30 points (one of three 30-point games in her career) and eight rebounds in 32 minutes in the 73-56 win inside the DakotaDome in 2012.
 
YOTES VS. THE BIG SKY
The Coyotes have played 23 games against the Big Sky Conference, including four games last season.
• USD is 16-7 overall against the conference.
• Most recently, the Coyotes fell to Montana State 77-46 Wednesday night.
• The Coyotes went 3-1 against the conference last season.