Peoria, Ill. - After a tough road loss to Missouri to open up the 2022-23 season, the Bradley Braves (0-1) return home to Renaissance Coliseum for another quality non-conference matchup, this time, the Coyotes of South Dakota (1-1), representatives of the Summit League.
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NEW LOOK COYOTES
South Dakota is coming off one of the more impressive runs by a mid-major program for the 2021-2022 season, making it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, including wins over (RV) Ole Miss and #5 Baylor.
Notably gone from that team is head coach Dawn Plitzuweit. The former Coyotes leader has now taken the helm at Big 12 member West Virginia.
South Dakota loses their entire starting lineup from that Sweet 16 team, while returning six role players.
Grace Larkins is the leading returning scorer for South Dakota. After averaging 6.5 points per game last season, Larkins has risen to that expectation and some, averaging 19 points per game through the two contests thus far.
TIGERS ROAR IN SEASON OPENER
Bradley traveled to the SEC's Missouri Tigers on Thursday evening in the 18th all-time meeting between Bradley and an SEC opponent.
The Braves could not find their way out of a shooting funk, while seemingly every shot was falling for the Tigers.
Missouri's presence in the low post proved to be a big difference maker in the game's result, with the Tigers collecting 36 points in the paint to Bradley's two.
A definite bright spot on the Braves were the efforts of both
Alex Rouse (nine points) and
Isis Fitch (nine points). Rouse's efforts would even lead to the need for stiches on the area above her right eye. Both Rouse and Fitch added four rebounds, which would stand as team highs.
The Braves had practically no answer for the Tigers' post player, Jayla Kelly. Kelly found her way around the post on occasions, both with ease and on athletic moves underneath.
While Kelly did finish with 13 points, it was Lauren Hansen that proved to be the biggest defensive challenge for Bradley. Hansen finished with 17 points and three three-point shots.
Bradley couldn't shake the turnover bug, committing 24 by game's end. Meanwhile, Missouri would cough the ball up all of 10 times.
Missouri coach Robin Pingeton and the Tigers certainly couldn't have complained about their three-point shooting. After going 1-13 in their season-opener, the Tigers fired back with a 10-23 clip against Bradley.
VALLEY CONNECTIONS APLENTY
Vermillion, South Dakota may be roughly 500 miles away, but that doesn't mean there aren't individuals familiar with Bradley outside of the Bradley - South Dakota series.
Coyotes head coach Kayla Karius is the wife of former Bradley Men's Basketball assistant coach Rick Karius. Karius was also an assistant coach at Drake for the 2021-22 season.
USD assistant coach Ty Margenthaler was an assistant on the Hilltop from 2000-2006.
Assistant coach Gabby Johnson held the same position at Valparaiso from 2018-2021.
