Preview: Denver Pioneers at South Dakota Coyotes

VERMILLION, S.D. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum in the Summit League will meet Saturday when the Denver Pioneers visit the South Dakota Coyotes at DakotaDome.

Both squads enter the contest looking to halt recent slides. Denver (8-10 overall) has lost two straight, including an 87-79 road loss to South Dakota State on Thursday. South Dakota (8-9) is coming off a 99-86 defeat at Saint Thomas (Minn.) on Wednesday.

The matchup features a pair of high-scoring guards. Denver’s Carson Johnson is averaging 20.4 points over his last five games, coming off a 27-point performance in 38 minutes against South Dakota State. For the Coyotes, Isaac Bruns has been a consistent force, scoring 23 or more points in four of his last six outings, including a 24-point, 6-rebound effort in the loss to Saint Thomas.

Team defense may be a deciding factor. Denver has allowed an average of 90.3 points in its three conference games this season. South Dakota has surrendered 99 and 84 points in its two Summit League contests.

The Pioneers will rely on Johnson alongside Jeremiah Burke, who added 20 points against South Dakota State. The Coyotes counter with Bruns and forward Cameron Fens, who pulled down 11 rebounds in the midweek loss.

This is the first of two scheduled meetings between the teams this season. They will meet again in Denver on Feb. 19.

Saturday’s winner will gain an early edge in the conference standings as both teams navigate the opening weeks of the league schedule.