With one week to go before we reach the halfway point of the 2014 Summit League schedule, South Dakota has a chance to do something they've have yet to experience in the conference this year - put together a win streak.

The Coyotes (10-10/1-4) finally got a Summit League win last Saturday against Omaha in the DakotaDome after starting with three straight conference losses on the road.

The much needed return home didn't cure South Dakota's defensive woes last Thursday night against Western Illinois, as the Leathernecks became the latest team to take advantage of USD from long range, burying 13 3-pointers in a 10-point win.

USD head coach Amy Williams liked her team's strong start against WIU, as the Coyotes opened a six-point lead thanks to a pair of Tia Hemiller 3-pointers in the first 5:00:

Against Omaha Saturday, South Dakota put together one of the most complete halves of basketball they've played all season: 42 points, 4 3-pointers, plus-7 on the boards, holding the Mavericks to 32 percent shooting, while forcing 14 turnovers, all en route to a 26-point halftime advantage and an eventual 24-point win.

Coach Williams on the Omaha win:

Nicole Seekamp - University of South Dakota Coyotes
University of South Dakota
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The big question for USD once again is the status of guard Nicole Seekamp, who's missed the last two game with an ankle injury, and hasn't been 100% for a few weeks.  Coach Williams says Seekamp's recovery is still a work in progress:

NDSU vs. USD Women's Basketball
(Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
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It's back on the road this week, starting with a Thursday match-up with North Dakota State in Fargo.

The Bison (5-15/1-4) and Coyotes (along with Omaha) are tied for last in the league, but both are better than they're records indicate.

NDSU is the worst shooting team in the Summit League (35%), but has three players (Brook Lemar, Holly Johnson, and Marena Whittle) who average in double figures.  Beyond those three, the Bison have little depth.

Whittle is also imposing on the defensive end of the floor.  She's 2nd in the conference in blocked shots, 3rd in rebounding.

Coach Williams says NDSU is no pushover:

Tipoff is 7:00pm Thursday in Fargo.  The Coyotes move down I-29 to play at South Dakota State Sunday afternoon in Brookings.

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