Clash on the Ice: Yotes Gear Up to Tangle with the Fighting Hawks

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — South Dakota women’s basketball has one matchup this week as it heads up the Interstate for a clash with North Dakota Wednesday evening in Grand Forks.
 
HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION
The Coyotes and Fighting Hawks are scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip-off in Grand Forks. The game will be accessible to watch on Midco Sports, and on the Summit League Network powered by Midco Sports Plus. Fans can also listen to the Coyote Sports Network as the voice of Coyote women’s basketball, Jerry Palleschi, will provide the commentary on KVHT 106.3 FM and on the Varsity Network App.
 
ABOUT THE COYOTES
• South Dakota has begun to gain momentum as the temperatures drop, winning five out of their last six contests, including a 3-1 start to Summit League play.
• This season, Grace Larkins leads South Dakota and the Summit League in points (24.7), rebounds (9.4), assists (5.7), and minutes (36.8) per game.
• Four of the five Coyote starters have participated in all 18 games this season. Five Coyotes have taken the court as the fifth starter.
 
SCOUTING THE FIGHTING HAWKS
• The Coyotes are on the road for their third away Summit League game Wednesday as they face North Dakota in Grand Forks.
• North Dakota has split their initial two weeks of Summit League play, but recently secured a victory over Denver 69-61 in Grand Forks on Saturday.
• Two Fighting Hawks players average double figures: Kiera Pemberton (16.5) and Jocelyn Schiller (11.4 ppg).
• South Dakota and North Dakota have both faced Omaha, Oral Roberts, and Denver early in the conference season. USD has a record of 2-1 against those teams while UND holds 1-2. Both USD and UND triumphed over Omaha with the same score: 71-66.
 
NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
• Grace Larkins received three player of the week awards for her performance last week: The Associated Press Player of the Week, the USBWA National Player of the Week, and the Summit League Peak Performer of the Week.
• Larkins achieved her third and fourth consecutive double-doubles, averaging 39.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 7 assists.
• Larkins set a school record by scoring 45 points against Omaha, marking the second highest points in a game by a D-I player this season.
 
INSIDE THE NORTH DAKOTA SERIES
• The Coyotes and Fighting Hawks meet for the 79th time in the history of their series.
• Last year, the Coyotes completed the season sweep of UND, winning at home 65-54 and in Grand Forks 69-53.
• The Summit League period of the rivalry has been favorable to the Yotes, who hold a record of 12-1 since UND joined the conference for the 2018-19 season.
• In the previous season’s match at UND, Grace Larkins was one of three Coyotes scoring in double figures, accumulating 13 points, six rebounds, and six assists.
• South Dakota has the same total number of wins historically against the two longstanding North Dakota rival schools (38).
 
LAST TIME OUT
• The Coyotes achieved their initial victory when trailing at halftime on Saturday, overcoming an eight-point deficit to defeat Omaha 71-66.
• Grace Larkins shattered school records in points (45), field goals made (19), and attempts (32) during the win.
• Cassidy Carson notched her second consecutive game in double figures, scoring 11.
• USD is now undefeated (6-0) when restricting their opponent to under 70 points.