VERMILLION, S.D. (Interstat) — The undefeated South Dakota Coyotes look to continue their best start in program history when they host the struggling Arkansas-Pine Bluff Lady Golden Lions in a nonconference women’s basketball game Tuesday at the DakotaDome.

South Dakota (6-0) is off to a program-record six wins to begin the season, including a decisive 85-44 victory over Valparaiso in its last outing. The Coyotes’ early success features a notable 72-71 road win against Kansas State. Elise Turrubiates (13 points) and Angelina Robles (11 points, 5 assists) were key contributors in the win over Valparaiso.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-4) arrives in Vermillion seeking to halt a three-game skid. The Lady Golden Lions are coming off a 73-49 loss at Louisiana Tech this past Tuesday, where Jailah Pelly scored a team-high 14 points. Their lone victory this season was a 69-64 win at Memphis on Nov. 3.

The matchup pits one of the nation’s hottest teams against a Lady Golden Lions squad that has lost its last three games by an average of 27 points. South Dakota’s defense, which has held four opponents under 55 points, will be tested by UAPB’s Pelly and Tyra Taylor, who is averaging 12 points per game.

This is the first-ever meeting between the two programs. South Dakota next plays at Wyoming on Saturday, while Arkansas-Pine Bluff travels to North Alabama on Monday.