December 3, 2024

This Week's Preview
MADISON, S.D. (Dec. 3, 2024)—The Dakota State University Trojan men's basketball team (6-4 overall record) continues their season-high six-game home stand with a pair of games this week.  The Trojans look to remain undefeated at DSU Fieldhouse versus Midland (Neb.) (6-4 overall record) Wednesday evening.  The game is set for a 7 p.m. tip-off.

Dakota State welcomes NCAA Division III Crown (Minn.) (4-1 overall record) in their non-conference schedule finale before opening their 15-game North Star Athletic Association slate.  The game is scheduled to tip off at 6 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse.

The Trojans went 1-1 record in the Fairfield Inn by Marriott Bruin Classic, defeating Nobel (Calif.) 92-63 on Nov. 22 and falling to Ozark Christian (Mo.) 83-67 on Nov. 23.  DSU began their six-game home stand with an 82-64 victory over Trinity Bible (N.D.) on Nov. 26.

Midland snapped their three-game losing streak as they defeated Clarke (Iowa) 81-74 on Nov. 29.  The Warriors fell to Concordia (Neb.) 89-78 in the Great Athletic Conference play on Nov. 26.

Crown is coming off their fourth consecutive victory with a 96-81 home win over Luther (Iowa) on Nov. 30.  The Polars lost a 105-71 exhibition game against NCAA Division II Winona State (Minn.) on Dec. 2.

Up Next:  Dakota State begins their 15-game North Star Athletic Association schedule on Saturday, Dec. 14, versus Mayville State (N.D.).  The game is set for 6 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse.  The Trojans close out their 2024 portion of the schedule versus Valley City State (N.D.) on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 5 p.m.

This Week's Quick Hits
+ Dakota State (S.D.) is 5-0 record at home this season, including the most recent home victory versus Trinity Bible (N.D.) 82-64 on Nov. 26.  The Trojans extended their home court winning streak to six games, dating back to last season.
+ Midland (Neb.) has won the last two meetings with Dakota State.  The Warriors held on to defeat the Trojans 90-84 in last year's meeting in Fremont, Neb.
+ DSU is seeking for their first win over Midland since Oct. 29, 2022, where the Trojans earned a 63-61 victory at DSU Fieldhouse.  The last three meetings between DSU and MU had be decided by six points or less.
+ Dakota State defeated Crown (Minn.) in last year's meeting held in St. Bonifacius, Minn.  The Trojans won by the score of 69-59, handing the Polars their third straight setback of the season.
+ The Trojans are seeking for their first win over NCAA Division III team this season.  Dakota State fell short to Crown's conference foe (Upper Midwest Athletic Conference) Martin Luther (Minn.) by the score of 67-63 on Oct. 30.
+ Dakota State had scored at least 80 points in all five home this season, hitting a season-high 122 points against Providence (Manitoba) on Nov. 2.
+ The Trojans are seeking for their first win against Great Plains Athletic Conference foes this season, despite falling to Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) and (RV) Dordt (Iowa) this season.
+ All four games remaining in the 2024 portion of the schedule will be at DSU Fieldhouse during the month of December.

Noteworthy...
TROJANS AT DSU FIELDHOUSE:  Dakota State is 5-0 record at home this season after defeating Trinity Bible (N.D.) 82-64 on Nov. 26.  The Trojans had scored at least 82 points at DSU Fieldhouse, hitting 90-plus points in the first four home games.  DSU hit century points at home twice this season, versus Oak Hills (Minn.) 108-40 in the season opener on Oct. 24 and versus Providence (Manitoba) 122-72 on Nov. 2.  The Trojans are averaging 99.8 points per game at home, thanks to their 50.4 percent field goal shooting.

NORTH STAR CONFERENCE PLAY BEGINS NEXT WEEKEND:  The North Star Athletic Association's 15-game schedule officially kicks off next weekend, with each conference member facing each other three times during the season.  The Trojans open their conference schedule with three straight games at home versus Mayville State (N.D.) on Dec. 14, Valley City State (N.D.) on Dec. 15, and Bellevue (Neb.) on Jan. 4.

DSU RANKS IN THE NSAA CONFERENCE:  According to the NAIA-PrestoStats as Tuesday, Dakota State ranks second in the North Star conference with 83.1 points per game.  The Trojans are also second in the conference in scoring defense, allowing their opponents to 67.3 points per game.  DSU leads the league in field goal shooting defense with 41.7 percent.  Aiden Jensen ranks third in the NSAA in field goal percentage of 61.1 percent, followed by Colby Dillenbeck fourth with 60.5 percent.
 
2024-25 DSU MEN'S BASKETBALL DEVELOPMENTAL TEAM SCHEDULE UPDATE:  The 2024-25 Dakota State University Trojan men's basketball developmental team fell to Minnesota West CC 80-66 on Dec. 2, holding an overall record of 3-2.  The Trojans conclude their 2024 portion on Dec. 12 at Mount Marty (S.D.) and return to action in the New Year on Jan. 13 at home versus Mount Marty.

DSU rolls past Nobel (Calif.) in first ever meeting
Bellevue, Neb. (Nov. 22, 2024)—Dakota State (S.D.) shot a blazing 56.6 percent from the field, including hitting 13 3-pointers in 92-63 victory over Nobel (Calif.) in both teams' first ever all-time meeting on the first day of the Fairfield Inn by Marriott Bruin Classic at Gordon Lozier Athletic Center. 

Dakota State shot17-of-31 from the field (54.8 percent) and hit 8-of-18 3-pointers in the first twenty minutes, propelling to their 49-28 halftime lead.  The Knights were held to 33.3 percent from the field (12-of-36 field goals) and did not make a 3-pointer in six tries.

Ten different players scored in the final twenty minutes of the game as Dakota State outscored Nobel 43-35.  The Trojans shot 59.3 percent from the field in the second half (16-of-27 field goals).

Lane Tietz scored 25 points off the bench for DSU, hitting 8-of-10 field goals and 6-of-8 from the 3-point line.  Brayden Pankonen added 18 points from his 6-of-8 field goals, including 5-of-7 3-pointers.  Rysley Borman scored 12 points off the bench, collected five rebounds, and dished out four assists.   

Dakota State was 33-of-58 from the field and 13-of-27 from the 3-point line (48.1 percent).  Nobel shot 40.6 percent (26-of-64 field goals) and only made one 3-pointer in nine attempts.  DSU outrebounded NC 42-27.  The Trojans outscored the Knights 63-18 in bench points.

Ozark Christian (Mo.) holds off Dakota State (S.D.)
Bellevue (Nov. 23, 2024)—Ozark Christian (Mo.) prevented Dakota State (S.D.) on their  second-half comeback, earning an 83-67 victory on the second day of the Fairfield Inn by Marriot Bruin Classic at Gordon Lozier Athletic Center at Bellevue (Neb.).

The Ambassadors led 43-31 by halftime,  thanks to their 53.1 percent  shooting from the field and 7-of-12 from the 3-point line.  The Trojans could get no closer than five points at 66-61 with 7:43 remaining, while Ozark Christian outscored Dakota State 17-6 in the final 6:11 to secure the victory.

Brayden Pankonen led the Trojans with 16 points on his 6-of-10 field goals.  Colby Dillenbeck added 13 points and five rebounds.  Tyler Beckwith tallied 12 points off the bench.  Taine Mitchell had five points and grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds.  Lukas Morgan had four rebounds.  Lane Tietz dished out a season-high six assists. 

Dakota State shot 41.4 percent overall from the field (24-of-58 field goals) compared to Ozark Christian 52.5 percent (32-of-61 field goals).  Both teams pulled down 36 rebounds in the game.

DSU remains undefeated at home with win over TBC
Madison, S.D. (Nov. 26, 2024)—Dakota State (S.D.) used ten (10) different players with at least a point and a rebound, coupled with a team-high 53 rebounds in their 82-64 victory over Trinity Bible (N.D.).  The victory extended their home court winning streak to six games.

Dakota State held a slim 41-38 halftime lead and outscored the Lions 41-26 in the final twenty minutes to secure the victory.  The Trojans shot 47.2 percent in the final twenty minutes of the game (17-of 36 field goals) and limited the Lions to 32.4 percent from the field (11-of-34 field goals).

Lukas Morgan poured in a season-high 21 points off the bench for the Trojans, hitting 7-of-14 field goals and 4-of-7 from the 3-point arc.  He also stole the ball a season-high five times.  Colby Dillenbeck added nine points and grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds.  Tyler Beckwith had nine points and five rebounds.  Taine Mitchell registered five points, eight rebounds, and dished out five assists.

Dakota State outrebounded Trinity Bible 54-40, including 18-9 on the offensive boards.
 
2024-25 Dakota State Men's Basketball Team Leaders

• Points/Points Per Game:  Lane Tietz - 116 points (11.6 points per game)
• Field Goal Percentage:  Aiden Jensen - 61.1 percent (33-of-54 field goals)
• 3-point Field Goal Percentage:  Brayden Pankonen - 41.9 percent (26-of-62 3-point field goals)
• Free-Throw Percentage:  Lukas Morgan - 83.3 percent (10-of-12 free-throws)
• Rebounds:  Taine Mitchell - 54 rebounds (5.4 rebounds per game)
• Assists/Assists Per Game:  Taine Mitchell - 31 assists (3.1 assists per game)
• Steals/Steals Per Game:  Brayden Pankonen, Lane Tietz - 14 steals (1.4 steals per game)
• Blocked Shots:  Tyler Beckwith - 6 blocks (0.6 blocks per game)