November 13, 2024

This Week's Preview
MADISON, S.D. (Nov. 13, 2024)—The Dakota State University Trojan men's basketball team (4-2 overall record) looks to swing back in the winning column as they play a game at the Sanford Sports Complex, followed by a pair of exhibition games against NCAA Division II opponents.

Dakota State is the home team when they face Dordt (Iowa) (4-0 overall record, receiving votes in the NAIA Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national preseason poll) Wednesday evening at Heritage Court at Pentagon (2405 W Benson Road) in Sioux Falls, S.D.  The tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

The Trojans step aside their regular season play as they play a pair of exhibition games at Nebraska-Kearney (0-2 overall record) on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Health & Sports Center (2501 15th Ave.) in Kearney, Neb. and Northern State (S.D.) at Wachs Arena (Barnett Center—15 Street SE) in Aberdeen, S.D. on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Dakota State dropped a 76-48 non-conference contest on the road at rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) in the annual Battle of the Blues traveling trophy at the Corn Palace at Nov. 6.  It was the lone game for the week for DSU.

Dordt remained undefeated after going 2-0 record in the Northwestern (Iowa) Pizza Ranch Classic, defeating North Star's fellow Mayville State (N.D.) 95-85 on Nov. 8 and Viterbo (Wis.) 108-77 on Nov. 9.  Nebraska-Kearney is coming off from a pair of setbacks in the Southwest Minnesota State Classic, falling to Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.) 95-93 in overtime on Nov. 8 and host-team SW Minnesota State 77-73 on Nov. 9.  Northern State also dropped a pair of games to Missouri Wester State 75-61 on Nov. 8 and Emporia State (Kan.) 83-69 on Nov. 10.

Up Next:  DSU plays in the Bellevue (Neb.) Classic next weekend and returns home on Nov. 26 vs. Trinity Bible.

This Week's Quick Hits
+ Dakota State (S.D.) is facing an opponent from the Great Plains Athletic Conference for the second straight game (Dakota Wesleyan, S.D., on Nov. 6 and Dordt, Iowa, on Nov. 13).
+ DSU and Dordt (Iowa) are playing at the Sanford Sports Complex for the third consecutive year in Sioux Falls, S.D.
+ The Defenders had defeated the Trojans 11 straight times, including last year's meeting at the Sanford Sports Complex.  Dakota State is seeking for their first win over Dordt since Jan. 9, 2013, when they won by the score of 83-65 at DSU Fieldhouse.  The Trojans fell short in a closely tight contest at Dordt by the score of 77-76 on Nov. 2, 2021.
+ The Trojans visit Nebraska-Kearney for the first time on Thursday for an exhibition contest.
+ The last time Dakota State visited NCAA Division II Northern State was on Nov. 25, 2014, won by the Wolves 78-52.  The last time DSU defeated NSU was on Nov. 30, 1991, hen the Trojans held on to a 70-68 victory in Aberdeen, S.D.
+ Dakota State plays in their first preseason tournament next weekend in Bellevue, Neb., facing Nobel (Calif.) and Ozark Christian (Mo.). 
+ The Trojans are seeking for their first neutral site victory since Nov. 17-18, 2023, where they swept a pair of games in the Fairfield Inn by Marriott Bruin Classic, defeating Harris-Stowe (Mo.) and Ozark Christian.
+ The last time Dakota State earned an exhibition victory over NCAA Division II was on Nov. 24, 2014, when they defeated the University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) 81-76 at Stewart Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.
 
Noteworthy...
TROJANS AT SANFORD SPORTS COMPLEX:  Dakota State (S.D.) is playing their third consecutive year at the Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls, S.D., versus Dordt (Iowa).  The Trojans had played in the annual NAIA-South Dakota Classic in early November in the late 2010's with Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.), Mount Marty (S.D.), and Presentation (S.D.).  The Trojans highlighted a victory at the Sanford Sports Complex when they defeated Northwestern (Iowa) in an 81-79 thriller on Dec. 9, 2015.

LOOKING AHEAD TO DSU'S HOME STAND:   After playing in the Bruin Classic next weekend, Dakota State kicks off their season-high six-game on Nov. 26 versus Trinity Bible (N.D.).  The Trojans continue their home stand after Thanksgiving as they host Midland (Neb.) on Dec. 4, NCAA Division III Crown (Minn.) on Dec. 9, Mayville State (N.D.) on Dec. 14, Valley City State (N.D.) on Dec. 15, and wrap up their home stand in the New Year on Jan. 4 versus Bellevue (Neb.).

TROJANS AT HOME:  Dakota State is 4-0 record at home this season, averaging 104.3 points per game after hitting a season-high 122 points in a 122-72 victory over Providence (Manitoba) on Nov. 2.  The Trojans held its opponents to 55.5 points per game during the four home contests this season.  DSU was 53 percent from the field and hit 49 3-pointers at DSU Fieldhouse. 
 
2024-25 DSU MEN'S BASKETBALL DEVELOPMENTAL TEAM OPENS HOME MONDAY:  The 2024-25 Dakota State University Trojan men's basketball developmental team earned their first victory of the season after rolling to a 102-66 home victory over rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) on Nov. 11.  The Trojans continue their home stand Thursday versus Northwestern (Iowa) and Monday versus Dordt (Iowa), both at 7:45 p.m.

DWU rolls past DSU in Battle of the Blues
Mitchell, S.D. (Nov. 6, 2024)—Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) built up a 20-point halftime lead in the second annual Battle of the Blues, rolling past rival Dakota State (S.D.) 76-48 at the Corn Palace.. 

Both teams traded leads in the early going of the game.  After DSU's 5-4 lead, Dakota Wesleyan went on a 15-3 outburst to open a 19-8 lead with 12:05 to go in the first half.  The Tigers maintained their double digit lead for the rest of the game, racking to a 41-21 halftime lead. 

DWU outscored DSU 35-27 in the final twenty minutes of the game to secure the victory.

Eleven different DSU players scored in the game, led by Isaac Sumption with eight points.  Brayden Pankonen added six points and grabbed four rebounds.  Rysley Borman scored five points.  Colby Dillenbeck, Aiden Jensen, Lane Tietz, Ethan Slaathaug, Tyler Becwith, and Trelin Barnett each scored four points.  Jensen collected six rebounds.  Barnett dishced out three assists.   

Dakota Wesleyan shot 42 percent overall from the field (29-of-69 field goals) and held Dakota State to 30 percent (15-of-50 field goals).  The Trojans hit 6-of-26 3-pointers compared to the Tigers 4-of-20 3-pointers.  DWU hit 14-of-19 free throws to DSU 12-of-17 free throws.  Dakota Wesleyan outrebounded the Dakota State 43-30 in the game.

Trojans in the NSAA conference ranks
Madison, S.D. (Nov. 13, 2024)—According to the NAIA-PrestoStats of Wednesday, Dakota State (S.D.) ranks third in the North Star Athletic Association in scoring offense with 88.0 points per game. 

The Trojans lead the league in field goals made with 200 field goals.  DSU also leads the North Star conference in 3-point field goals made with 57 3-pointers. 

DSU is second in the North Star conference in points allowed, limiting their opponents to 62.3 points per game this season.

Colby Dillenbeck ranks third in the NSAA conference in field goal percentage with 71.7 percent.  He is also ninth in the conference with 13.2 points per game for the Trojans.  Aiden Jensen is fifth in the league with 69.4 percent from the field. 

Trelin Barnett and Taine Mitchell average 3.0 assists per game, which is tied for fifth best assists average in the North Star conference. 

Tyler Beckwith averages 0.7 blocks per game for Dakota State, which is tied for fifth best blocks average in the NSAA.

Trojans prepare for Bruin Classic next weekend
Madison, S.D. (Nov. 13, 2024)—Dakota State (S.D.) will play in their only preseason tournament of the season next weekend, hosted by Bellevue (Neb.) at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.  It will be the second straight year that the Trojans play in the Bruin Classic during the month of November, where the Trojans went 2-0 record in last year's classic.

Dakota State defeated Harris-Stowe (Mo.)  and Ozark Christian (Mo.), both in their first ever all-time meetings.   

This year, DSU plays their first-ever meeting with Nobel (Calif.) on Nov. 22 with a 5 p.m. tip-off. 

The Trojans play Ozark Christian for their second all-time meeting on the second day of the tournament.  The game is set for 12 p.m.

Dakota State will also be making their two other trips to Bellevue, Neb. later this season, during the North Star Athletic Association conference play on January and February.  Both teams will play their first NSAA conference meeting on Jan. 4 at DSU Fieldhouse.

2024-25 Dakota State Men's Basketball Team Leaders

• Points/Points Per Game:  Colby Dillenbeck - 79 points (13.2 points per game)
• Field Goal Percentage:  Colby Dillenbeck - 71.7 percent (33-of-46 field goals)
• 3-point Field Goal Percentage:  Brayden Pankonen - 44.1 percent (15-of-34 3-point field goals)
• Free-Throw Percentage:  Brayden Pankonen - 81.3 percent (13-of-16 free-throws)
• Rebounds:  Aiden Jensen - 29 rebounds (4.8 rebounds per game)
• Assists/Assists Per Game:  Taine Mitchell, Trelin Barnett - 18 assists (3.0 assists per game)
• Steals/Steals Per Game:  Brayden Pankonen - 14 steals (2.3 steals per game)
• Blocked Shots:  Tyler Beckwith - 4 blocks (0.7 blocks per game)