December 12, 2024
This Week's Preview
MADISON, S.D. (Dec. 12, 2024)—The Dakota State University Trojan men's basketball team (7-5 overall record, 0-0 North Star Athletic Association record) opens their 15-game North Star Athletic Association slate this weekend as they continue their season-high six-game home stand at DSU Fieldhouse.
The Trojans host Mayville State (N.D.) (8-3 overall record, 0-0 NSAA conference record) Saturday evening at 6 p.m. It will be the conference season opener for Dakota State, while the Comets will be playing their conference opener on Friday evening at Bellevue (Neb.).
DSU wraps up their 2024 portion of the schedule Sunday evening as they host Valley City State (N.D.) (8-3 overall record, 0-0 NSAA conference). The game is set for 5 p.m. VCSU also plays their conference opener on Saturday evening at Bellevue.
Dakota State went 1-1 record in the previous two games at home, holding on to defeat Midland (Neb.) 73-71 of the Great Plains Athletic Conference on Dec. 4. The Trojans suffered their first home setback of the season, falling short to NCAA Division III Crown (Minn.) 80-77 on Dec. 9.
Mayville State extended their winning streak to six games after their home-and-away victories with NCAA Division III Minnesota-Morris, 93-54 in Mayville on Nov. 26 and 78-73 in Morris on Dec. 3. Valley City State earned a 113-76 home victory over Trinity Bible (N.D.) on Dec. 3
Up Next: Dakota State begins their 2025 year on Saturday, Jan. 4, as they conclude their six-game home stand versus Bellevue (Neb.) in the North Star conference action. The game tips off at 5 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse.
This Week's Quick Hits
+ Dakota State (S.D.) is 6-1 record at home this season. It was the second straight year that the Trojans started their first seven home games at DSU Fieldhouse with a 6-1 home record.
+ DSU and Mayville State (N.D.) split their North Star conference meetings last season (in 2024), with each team winning on their own home court by five points martin. The Trojans won at DSU Fieldhouse 84-79 on Jan. 26, while the Comets won the second meeting at Lewy Lee Fieldhouse 69-64 on Feb. 9.
+ Dakota State swept the North Star season series with Valley City State (N.D.) last season. The Trojans won 81-72 in Valley City, N.D., on Jan. 12 and 95-79 at DSU Fieldhouse on Feb. 16.
+ DSU had won three times in the last four meetings over VCSU, as well as four wins in the last six meetings.
+ Dakota State will host Mayville State and Valley City State for the second time later in the season, returning on Feb. 14-15. The Trojans travel to MSU and VCSU on the weekend of Jan. 31-Feb. 1.
+ DSU is averaging 92.7 points per game on their home court this season. The Trojans shot 47.9 percent from the field at DSU Fieldhouse (242-of-505 field goals) at DSU Fieldhouse.
+ Dakota State is 2-1 record on their current six-game home stand at DSU Fieldhouse, starting with a pair of victories over Trinity Bible (N.D.) 82-64 on Nov. 26 and Midland (Neb.) 73-71 on Dec. 4.
+ The Trojans finished their non-conference schedule with a 7-5 record after their setback versus Crown (Minn.) on Dec. 9.
Noteworthy...
TROJANS WRAP UP NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE: Dakota State concluded their 12-game non-conference schedule on Dec. 9, finishing with a 7-5 record. The Trojans averaged 81.8 points per game during their non-conference schedule, while holding their opponents to 68.7 points per game. DSU also highlighted a 78-76 exhibition game victory at NCAA Division II Nebraska-Kearney on Nov. 14. Dakota State was 6-1 record at home during their non-conference schedule.
A LOOK BACK TO LAST YEAR NORTH STAR CONFERENCE: Dakota State was in a three-way tie for third in last year's NSAA standings with Dickinson State (N.D.), Viterbo (Wis.), and Waldorf (Iowa) with 6-6 conference record each. The Trojans were seeded No. 4 in the postseason tournament and fell short to eventual defending champion and top-seeded Bellevue (Neb.), who finished with an 8-4 conference record. Mayville State (N.D.) was second with 7-5 record and Valley City State (N.D.) seventh with 3-9 conference record.
DSU RANKS IN THE NSAA CONFERENCE: According to the NAIA-PrestoStats as Thursday, Dakota State ranks third in the league in scoring with 81.8 points per game. The Trojans are second in the North Star conference in scoring defense, allowing their opponents to 68.7 points per game. DSU leads the conference in field goal percentage defense of 41.7 percent.
2024-25 DSU MEN'S BASKETBALL DEVELOPMENTAL TEAM UPDATES: The 2024-25 Dakota State University Trojan men's basketball developmental team is 3-2 record after their 80-66 road setback at Minnesota West CC on Dec. 2. The Trojans at Mount Marty (S.D.) game scheduled for Thursday has been canceled. DSU will return to action on Jan. 13 as they welcome Mount Marty at DSU Fieldhouse at 7:45 p.m.
DSU remains undefeated at home over Lions
Madison, S.D. (Nov. 26, 2024)—Dakota State (S.D.) used ten different players with a least a point and a rebound, coupled with a team-high 53 rebounds in their 82-64 home victory over Trinity Bible (N.D.) at DSU Fieldhouse. The victory also extended their home court winning streak to six games, dating back to last season.
The first half saw series of scoring runs by both teams, with the Trojans holding a 34-23 lead with 6:35 left. The Lions trimmed DSU's lead to 41-38 by halftime.
After trading runs to start the second half, the Trojans outscored the Lions 41-26 in the final twenty minutes of the game to secure the victory.
Lukas Morgan poured in a season-high 21 points off the bench for Dakota State. He was 7-of-14 from the field, including 4-of-7 at the 3-point line. He had five rebounds.
Brayden Pankonen added 15 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Lane Tietz scored 12 points and dished out five assists. He had a season-high five steals.
Colby Dillenbeck scored nine points and grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds.
Tyler Beckwith had nine points and five rebounds.
Dakota State shot 40.3 percent overall from the field (31-of-77 field goals) compared to Trinity Bible 39.1 percent (27-of-69 field goals). DSU outrebounded the Lions 53-40 (18-9 on the offensive boards).
Polars edge out Trojans 80-77 at DSU Fieldhouse
Madison, S.D. (Dec. 9, 2024)—There were a total of 15 ties and nine lead changes, with the lead no greater than eight points in Dakota State (S.D.) non-conference finale with Crown (Minn.) at DSU Fieldhouse. The Polars edged out the Trojans 80-77, handing DSU their first home setback of the season.
Both teams traded leads nine times and tied the game four times in the first half. Crown held a slim 39-38 halftime lead. The Polars opened a 53-45 lead in the second half before the Trojans rallied back to tie the game at 62-62 with 8:26 remaining in the game. After DSU took a 71-67 lead, CC used a 10-1 run to overtake a 77-72 lead with nearly 30 seconds left in the game and held on to the victory.
Colby Dillenbeck led the Trojans with 16 points.
Lane Tietz added 12 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Taine Mitchell had 10 points, seven rebounds, and two steals.
Brayden Pankonen had nine points and three rebounds.
Dakota State shot 37.3 percent from the field (25-of-67 field goals) compared to Crown 36.4 percent (24-of-66 field goals). The Trojans outrebounded Polars 47-38.
Trojans in the NSAA conference ranks
Madison, S.D. (Dec. 12, 2024)—According to the NAIA-PrestoStats as of Thursday,
Colby Dillenbeck ranks fourth in the North Star Athletic Association in field goal percentage. Prior to this weekend's games, he is 60.2 percent from the field (59-of-98 field goals).
Aiden Jensen also ranks eighth in the league with 56.5 percent (39-of-69 field goals).
Brayden Pankonen ranks fifth in the North Star Athletic Association in 3-point field goal percentage for the Trojans. He is 43.6 percent from the 3-point arc, making 41 3-pointers in 94 attempts. He is 10th in the conference with 1.3 steals per game.
Taine Mitchell averages 3.3 assists per game this season for Dakota Sate, which tied for second best assists average in the North Star conference.
Lane Tietz also ranks fifth in the conference with 3.1 assists per game.
Dakota State ranks third in the league in steals per game with 6.7 steals and blocks with 3.1 blocks. The Trojans leads the conference with 19.4 assists per game.
2024-25 Dakota State Men's Basketball Team Leaders
