GAME NOTES: The South Dakota Coyotes will attempt to an extend a three-game winning streak on Friday when they tangle with the Youngstown State Penguins in a non-conference tilt at the DakotaDome.

Youngstown State doesn't have a winning streak to extend, but it has won four of its last five games, including an 89-81 triumph over Robert Morris on Tuesday. The Penguins are 5-4 overall and set to play four of their next five games at home.

South Dakota held on for a 68-65 road win over Cal State Northridge on Tuesday, its second straight close call following a 68-66 win over Cal State Bakersfield. The Coyotes are 3-5 overall and will head back out on the road for their next two games against Creighton and UNLV.

These two teams met for the very first time last season, with Youngstown State pounding out an 85-59 victory.

Bobby Hain and Marcus Keene each scored 24 points in powering Youngstown State past Robert Morris earlier this week. The Penguins connected on 54.1 percent of their attempts from the floor, including a 10-of-24 performance from 3- point range. They also had a 37-29 edge on the boards and scored 38 points in the paint.

Keene (18.7 ppg) can always be counted on to light up the scoreboard at an impressive rate, as he has poured in at least 20 points in each of the last four games, while scoring in double figures in every contest since a seven- point effort in the season opener against Kent State. Hain (14.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg) is a reliable scorer as well, while also serving as the team's top rebounder. In addition to his outstanding offensive effort, he ripped down 14 boards in the win over Robert Morris. Shawn Amiker (12.9 ppg, 7 rpg) helps out in both areas as well. Amiker finished with 12 points and five boards against the Colonials, while Shaun Stewart (5 ppg) came off the bench to net 11 points.

Casey Kasperbauer went off from 3-point range in leading South Dakota past Cal State Northridge, drilling 7-of-11 shots from beyond the arc to finish with 25 points. He also collected seven rebounds, which matched Tyler Larson's effort. Larson had a strong game himself, adding 15 points and six assists to his stat line before fouling out. As a team, the Coyotes made 44.2 percent of their total shots, while earning a 37-31 advantage on the glass.

Kasperbauer's effort against Cal State Northridge was far from the norm, as he is netting only 9.1 points per game and connecting on 39.6 percent of his shots from the floor, including a 32.4 percent success rate from 3-point range. Brandon Bos (16.1 ppg) is more frequently leading the scoring charge, as he has netted at least 20 points in four games and been in double figures in seven of eight contests overall. Larson (14.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg) is the only other player on the team averaging in double figures, and he spearheads the squad's rebounding effort as well.

While Kasperbauer will likely return to Earth in this one, he is still a solid threat from 3-point range. If Bos can rekindle his own offensive powers then the Coyotes should have enough firepower to take down the Penguins.