VERMILLION, S.D. — The Coyotes return to the Sanford Coyote Sports Center Thursday to take on St. Thomas Thursday night in the home conference opener.
 
HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG
It is Agriculture Day and USD Sioux Falls Day Thursday in the SCSC. You can also watch online on the Summit League Network powered by Midco Sports Plus. Fans can listen to the voice of Coyote women's basketball, Jerry Palleschi on KVHT 106.3 FM or on the Varsity Sports Network with pregame starting at 6:30 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE COYOTES
• The Coyotes have their conference home opener Thursday night, as South Dakota hosts St. Thomas in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
• So far this season, Grace Larkins leads South Dakota and the Summit League in points (22.9), rebounds (9.0), assists (5.5), and minutes (36.7) per game.
• Four of the five Coyote starters have started in all 16 games this season. Five Coyotes have made starts as the fifth starter.
 
SCOUTING THE TOMMIES
• Both South Dakota and St. Thomas are coming off losses in conference play Saturday.
• The Tommies lost to North Dakota State 73-59 Saturday and fell to Kansas City 76-69 in the conference opener Thursday.
• Three St. Thomas athletes average double figures: Jo Langbehn (15.8), Jade Hill (15.3 ppg), and Amber Scalia (13.8).
• Thursday is the start of a three-game road trip for the Tommies, who head to Oral Roberts and Omaha next week.
 
PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
• For the second time this season, Grace Larkins has earned the Summit League Peak Performer of the Week award.
• Larkins averaged 29 points, 12.5 rebounds, and five assists.
• Grace Larkins recorded her 20th and 21st career double-doubles at Denver and Oral Roberts.
• She became the 4th player in USD history to eclipse 1,700 points and 700 rebounds in her career, joining Mandy Koupal, Amber (Hegge) Cunningham, and Hannah (Sjerven) Slater.
 
INSIDE THE ST. THOMAS SERIES
• The Coyotes and Tommies meet for the 8th time in series history.
• Last season, the Coyotes earned three wins in three tries against St. Thomas
• All-time, the Coyotes are 6-1 against St. Thomas and 2-1 at home against the Tommies.
• These two met in the Summit League Tournament last season, and Grace Larkins poured in 29 points and eight rebounds and Carley Duffney added 13 points and seven boards in a USD victory.
 
SUMMIT LEAGUE SUCCESS
• The Coyotes have nine total Summit League titles, five regular season and four tournament titles.
• The Coyotes are 184-60 against Summit League (previously Mid-Continent) opponents all-time.
• The Coyotes have a winning record against 13 of the 14 opponents.
• The Coyotes have more wins against Omaha (23) than any other Summit League opponent.
• The Coyotes haven't had a losing record in conference play since joining the Summit League during the 2011-12 season.