Coyotes host Jacks in big Summit contest Wednesday

by Zach Borg, Weekend Sports Anchor
January 29, 2013 7:13 PM


There's no extra incentive needed when it comes to the Jacks and Yotes....

...but this year's second meeting has it anyway.  The winner will be at the top of the Summit League.

"To come out of there with a win means that we're in great position.  Now there's a couple teams that have a couple games that they have to make up on us.  The challenge is USD is really good," SDSU Head Coach Aaron Johnston says.

The Jacks open the second half of conference play in first place, one game ahead of a U-S-D team they beat 72-60 in Brookings January 6th.

"They defend really well.  They don't give up many easy baskets.  They have three or four players that are playing very well offensively right now and it's just a hard team to play against.  Last time we shot it really well and we were fortunate.  This time we'll have to be better defensively," Johnston says.

Since that defeat the Yotes have won four of five.  It's beginning to look a lot like last year, when USD won 9 of their last 10 games, including a 59-53 overtime win over the Jacks.

"Players that are returning, you know, got a taste of that success.  It was kinda bittersweet last year to have a great run and we felt like we were on such a hot streak that maybe even we could have won the tournament for as well as we were playing.  But, you know, last year is last year and this year is this year.  Hopefully we'll reap our rewards," USD Senior Alexis Yackley says.

And it should also lead to another classic at the Dakota Dome.  In Vermillion Zach Borg, KDLT Sports.