VERMILLION, S.D. (Interstat) — The South Dakota Coyotes look to solidify their standing near the top of the Summit League when they host the .500 Saint Thomas Tommies in a women’s basketball rematch Wednesday night at the DakotaDome.

South Dakota (15-6, 4-2 Summit) enters with a clear advantage in the conference race, while Saint Thomas (10-10, 3-3) seeks to level its league record. The Coyotes won the first meeting this season, 72-65, in St. Paul on Jan. 10.

The Tommies are coming off one of their best performances of the season, a 72-54 rout of North Dakota on Saturday. Autumn McCall led the way with 15 points, four rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 33 minutes. The junior forward has been inconsistent, however, scoring just two points in 13 minutes in the first game against South Dakota this month.

South Dakota aims to rebound from a rare lopsided loss, a 79-56 defeat at North Dakota State on Saturday. Coyotes guard Jenna Hopp provided a bright spot in that game with 12 points. Hopp, a key contributor off the bench, had a limited role in the previous meeting with Saint Thomas, playing just 10 minutes.

The Coyotes have been strong at home this season, boasting a 9-1 record in Vermillion. Their defense has been a cornerstone, holding opponents to an average of 55.2 points per game at the DakotaDome.

Saint Thomas will need more than McCall’s contributions to pull the road upset. Forward Alyssa Sand is coming off an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double against North Dakota, and Faith Feuerbach added 10 points and three assists.

South Dakota’s balance presents a challenge. In the Jan. 10 victory, four Coyotes scored in double figures, led by Tori Schlagel’s 16 points and nine rebounds.

Wednesday’s contest is the second in a critical three-game homestand for South Dakota, which hosts rival South Dakota State on Saturday. Saint Thomas continues a tough stretch before hosting South Dakota State next Wednesday.