October 31, 2024

This Week's Preview
MADISON, S.D. (Oct. 31, 2024)—The Dakota State University Trojan women's basketball team (0-0 overall record, ranked No. 6 in the preseason edition of the NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll) officially opens their 2024-25 regular-season play this weekend in a pair of tournament games.  The Trojans play in the Cattle Classic, hosted by No. 5 ranked Concordia (Neb.), at Friedrich Arena (800 N. Columbia Ave.) in Seward, Neb.

Dakota State faces No. 10 ranked Southern Oregon (0-0 overall record) of the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) in the early battle of the NAIA's Top 10 ranked teams on the first day of the Cattle Classic.  The game is set for 1 p.m.

The Trojans face Oklahoma City (0-0 overall record) of the Sooner Athletic Conference on the second day of the tournament.  Tip-off is slated for 10 a.m.   

Dakota State is coming off from their third consecutive 27-plus victories last season, finishing their 2023-24 season with an overall record of 28-7.  The Trojans made their return trip to the NAIA national quarterfinals, falling to No. 6 ranked Carrol (Mont.).  DSU also won their fourth consecutive North Star Athletic Association Women's Basketball regular-season title.

Southern Oregon was 28-5 overall record last season and advanced to the NAIA national tournament's second round.  Oklahoma City was 6-22 overall record last season.
 
Up Next:  Dakota State continues their early tests as they face a pair of NAIA's Top 10 ranked teams.  The Trojans head to the Corn Palace Wednesday versus No. 9 ranked Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) in the Battle of the Blues at 6 p.m.  DSU plays their home opener on Saturday, Nov. 9 versus No. 5 Concordia (Neb.) at 4 p.m.

This Week's Quick Hits
+ Dakota State (S.D.) plays in the Cattle Classic, hosted by Concordia (Neb.), for the fifth consecutive year.  The annual Cattle Classic usually featured NAIA's Top 25 nationally ranked teams in the tournament.
+ The Trojans officially began their 2024-25 season with a pair of exhibition contests against members of the NCAA Division II and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) on Oct. 25 and Oct. 28.
+ Dakota State will be playing their first-ever meeting with Southern Oregon and Oklahoma City in the Cattle Classic this weekend in Seward, Neb.
+ The last time DSU faced a team from the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) was on March 8, 2023, when the Trojans defeated Eastern Oregon 86-69 in the NAIA National Tournament's second round in Wichita, Kan.
+ Dakota State faced a team from the Sooner Athletic Conference last season in the NAIA National Tournament First Round at DSU Fieldhouse, with the Trojans defeating Science & Arts (Okla.) 86-69 on March 15, 2024.
+ DSU had registered at least 27 victories for four consecutive seasons, including the school program's second most wins during the 2023-24 season with 28 wins. 
+ Dakota State plays in two different regular season tournaments this season, including this weekend in the Cattle Classic.  The Trojans play in the Warner (Fla.) Classic in mid-December during their Christmas break.

Noteworthy...
DSU ATHLETICS' HOME EVENTS GO DIGITAL:  The Dakota State University Trojan Athletics had announced that home events' tickets are online for purchase.  Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online on https://dsuathletics.com/sports/2024/5/23/tickets.aspx.  Contact the DSU Athletics office at 605-256-5229 if you have any questions.  Reserved seats tickets are also available online. 

SAVE THE DATES:  Mark on your calendars for upcoming events during the month of November.  The annual "Battle of the Blues' traveling trophy will be at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D., on Wednesday.  The Trojans won the first traveling trophy meeting last season at DSU Fieldhouse.  Dakota State will be the home team as they welcome the NAIA's defending national champion and current No. 1 ranked Dordt (Iowa) at the Sanford Sports Complex Pentagon on Wednesday, Nov. 13 in Sioux Falls, S.D.  In addition, the DSU Athletics will be hosting their annual Ag Ball game on Feb. 14, 2025, versus Mayville State (N.D.) at DSU Fieldhouse. 

FINAL YEAR IN THE NORTH STAR CONFERENCE:  This year will be the final year competing in the North Star Athletic Association, before moving to the Frontier Conference during the 2025-26 academic year.  Each of the North Star Athletic Association basketball members will be playing a total of 15 conference games, starting in mid-December (Dec. 13-15 weekend).  Each team will be playing three round robin meetings during the season.  Dakota State had won the last four NSAA women's basketball regular-season titles and advanced to the conference tournament's championship game in the past four seasons.

2024-25 DAKOTA STATE JUNIOR VARSITY TEAM OPENS MONDAY:  The 2024-25 Dakota State University Trojan women's basketball junior varsity squad will be opening their season on Monday at Dordt (Iowa).  The Trojans start their home schedule on Nov. 11 versus Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.), kicking off their three-game home stand.  DSU have 13 games scheduled on their 2024-25 junior varsity schedule through, concluding on Feb. 17 at home versus Morningside (Iowa) at DSU Fieldhouse.

DSU is unanimous pick to win 2024-25 NSAA title
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 21, 2024)—Dakota State (S.D.) is the league head coaches' pick to win the 2024-25 North Star Athletic Association Women's Basketball regular-season title.  Coaches can vote for their own team, awarded on a 6-1 basis.. 

The Trojans collected six first place votes and 36 points to claim the top spot in the preseason poll.  DSU finished their 2023-24 season with an overall record of 28-7, including a trip to the NAIA national quarterfinals.  DSU hosted its first ever NAIA national tournament first and second rounds, defeating Science & Arts (Okla.) and Indiana South Bend.

Mayville State (N.D.), who shared the league title with DSU last season with 11-1 record each, finished second in the poll with 26 points.  Jamestown (N.D.) was third with 24 points, followed by Bellevue (Neb.) fourth with 18 points, Valley City State (N.D.) fifth with 13 points, and Dickinson State (N.D.) sixth with nine points. 
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The NSAA conference season begins on the weekend of Dec. 13-15. 

Trojans post highest ranking in NAIA Division I era
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 23, 2024)—Dakota State (S.D.) cracked into the NAIA's Top 10 Preseason Poll for the second straight year, posting the highest ranking since the 2007-08 season.  In addition, it was the highest ranking for Dakota State during the NAIA Division I era.

The Trojans are ranked No. 6 in the 2024-25 NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll after collecting 432 points.  DSU finished another successful season with an overall record of 28-7, including a trip to the national quarterfinals for the third time in the past four seasons.

Dakota State's highest ranking came in during the 2007-08 season where they were ranked No. 5 during the regular season (during the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball era).  The Trojans were ranked No. 9 in the final ranking last season and hosted their first ever NAIA Women's Basketball national Tournament First and Second Rounds at DSU Fieldhouse.

Dakota State put together an impressive 51-3 league regular-season record (.944  winning percentage) during the past four seasons.  The Trojans won 59 times in the last 63 home games at DSU Fieldhouse.

2024-25 DSU women's basketball roster breakdown
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 31, 2024)—David Moe will be entering his eighth season as the Dakota State women's basketball head coach.  He is assisted by third year coach Jacob Leier and student assistant coach Carter Malone.

Dakota State have 16 players listed on their 2024-25 varsity basketball roster.  North Star Athletic Association Women's Basketball First Team All-Conference selection, NSAA All-Defense Team, and NSAA Defensive Player-of-the-Year junior Tabor Teel returns to the team.  Seniors Angela Slattery, NSAA All-Conference Honorable Mention recipient, and Lilli Mackley also return to the team.  Junior Caitlin Dyer will be taking her redshirt season after her ACL injury in last year's national tournament in Sioux City, Iowa.

Also returning to the Trojans' varsity team from last year's teams are senior Olivia Ritter, juniors Brooke Gunderson, Kristine Biniek, sophomores Molli Thornton, Bria Wasmund, Macey Wathen, Cierra Watkins, and Angelina Chapple.  Newcomers to the Trojan women's basketball team are transfer senior Tia Murray, and freshmen Kenzi Simmons, Ella Carstensen, and Hamtyn Heinz.

The 2024-25 Dakota State women's basketball junior varsity squad includes Eliza Oltmanns, Alyssa Koffler, Zoe Nelin, Lillie Ross, Kyla Schmidt, Kirstie Munsen, and Lily Williams.

2024-25 Dakota State Women's Basketball Returning Team Leaders

• Points/Points Per Game:  Angela Slattery - 366 points (10.5 points per game)
• Field Goal Percentage:  Tabor Teel - 57.5 percent (134-of-233 field goals)
• 3-point Field Goal Percentage:  Bria Wasmund - 36.6 percent (34-of-93 3-point field goals)
• Free-Throw Percentage:  Angela Slattery - 75.3 percent (58-of-77 free-throws)
• Rebounds:  Tabor Teel - 235 rebounds - (6.7 rebounds per game)
• Assists/Assists Per Game:  Bria Wasmund - 70 assists (2.1 assists per game)
• Steals/Steals Per Game:  Angela Slattery - 58 steals (1.7 steals per game)
• Blocked Shots:  Tabor Teel - 70 blocks (2.0 blocks per game)