Coyotes Take Their Shot Against the Summit League’s Best Thursday

One giant road hurdle separates South Dakota from the end of the Summit League regular season, as the Coyotes come into week eight with two main goals: get at least seven conference, which would be the school's most ever in Summit League play, and keep their momentum going heading into next week's conference tournament.

USD made it three straight wins with close victories over Omaha and Western Illinois at home last week.

Against the Mavericks Thursday, the Coyotes got off to a slow start, but managed to pull out the win late, thanks to a key free throw from Trey Norris.

Center Trevor Gruis came into the game with the flu and head coach Joey James said the illness really affected the senior's performance:

Against the Leathernecks Saturday, the Coyotes again had to dig themselves out of an early hole, and they did with 3-point shooting in the first half and free throw shooting in the second half.

Coach James on his team coming back on a Leatherneck team that beat them by 18 the first time around:

In Fargo Thursday night, the Coyotes battle first place North Dakota State, the most accurate shooting team in the nation, but a team the USD defense held to just 27 percent shooting in the second half in a three point loss at home last month.

With three different players fouling out in the last two games, coach James knows keeping his players in the games this weekend will be crucial:

Tipoff Saturday is 7:00pm in Fargo.