VERMILLION, S.D. – The University of Denver women's basketball team kicks off its final road trip of the regular season on Thursday night when the Pioneers take on #23 South Dakota at 6 p.m. MT.

DU rides a two game winning streak and sits at 14-11 overall and 7-5 in the Summit League in head coach Jim Turgeon's second season at the helm. The Pios best win of the 2018-19 season came against the Coyotes back on January 3^rd when the Crimson and Gold won 104-99, marking just the third win over USD in program history. Denver, who has been off since February 13^th will look to build off of an 82-62 win over Purdue Fort Wayne that featured five double-digit scorers. Madison Nelson leads the team in points with a 15.5 average but Lauren Loven (14.9 points per game), Samantha Romanowski (12.0 points per game) and Claire Gritt (10.9 points per game) all supply double-figures for the nation's 11^th highest-scoring team. Along with scoring offense, the Pioneers rank inside the top-50 in an additional eight statistical categories including 3-point FG percentage (4^th), 3s per game (11^th), 3s made (11^th) and blocks per game (11^th).

#23 South Dakota is 23-3 overall and 11-1 in the Summit League in Dawn Plitzuweit's third season as head coach. After falling to Denver in the second game of the league play, USD has ripped off 10 wins in a row including a thrilling double-OT win over in-state foe South Dakota State. Plitzuweit, the former Grand Valley State and Northern Kentucky head coach has led South Dakota to its first AP Top-25 ranking in school history as the Coyotes broke into the polls last week at #24. After moving up one spot to #23 USD will look to even the season series and extend its winning streak to 11-straight. Ciara Duffy leads South Dakota, averaging 15.0 points per game while Allison Arens (11.5 points per game), Hannah Sjerven (11.0 points per game), Chloe Lamb (9.8 points per game), Madison McKeever (8.5 points per game) and Taylor Frederick (7.9 points per game) all average at least seven points while providing a balanced offensive attack. Despite blowing out most opponents during their streak, the Coyotes have won two close games against Oral Roberts 76-72 and 75-64 proving their ability to win in different styles of games.

DENVER ATHLETICS TICKETS: For all Denver Athletics ticket inquiries, call 303-871-GOAL (4625), or visit DenverPioneers.com.

PIONEER MOVEMENT: 
Fans interested in making a donation to the women's basketball program can do so by clicking here. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.  

Play4Kay Game: 
Join us and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund in fighting and bringing awareness to breast cancer across the world. Players, coaches and fans will be uniting in an effort to extend and improve the lives of all women battling cancer by raising money for research and assisting the underserved. You can help us by participating in the National Free Throw Challenge benefitting the Kay Yow Cancer Fund using this link - https://pledgeit.org/denver-play4kay?fbclid=IwAR0or0WCxuC0yp-tiyaa64FktKHAHRAvUdpB_jozPP2OcIMkRxCQ9P-aMUY.

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