January 9, 2025

This Week's Preview
MADISON, S.D. (Jan. 9, 2025)—The Dakota State University Trojan men's basketball team (7-8 overall record, 0-3 North Star Athletic Association record) continues their busy North Star Athletic Association schedule as they play their first conference road contests this weekend in North Dakota.  DSU also concludes their first round robin of NSAA conference action.

The Trojans make their first stop at Scott Gymnasium (1104 2nd Street W) Friday evening to take on the conference's leader Dickinson State (N.D.) (8-7 overall record, 3-0 NSAA conference record).  The game is set to tip off at 8:30 p.m. (Central Time)/7:30 p.m. (Mountain Time) in Dickinson, N.D.

Dakota State then travels to Newman Arena (1004 7th Street NE) Saturday evening to take on Jamestown (N.D.) (7-9 overall record, 2-1 NSAA conference record).  The game is set for 5 p.m. in Jamestown, N.D.

The Trojans dropped their fourth straight game, closing their season-high six-game home stand with a 64-47 setback to Bellevue (Neb.) in the North Star conference action at DSU Fieldhouse on Jan. 4.

Dickinson State is coming off from a 2-0 record on the road last weekend in the North Star Athletic Association.  The Blue Hawks held on to defeat Mayville State (N.D.) 89-85 in double overtime on Jan. 3.  DiSU followed up with a 72-51 victory over Valley City State (N.D.) on Jan. 4.  Jamestown also went 2-0 record on the road, defeating VCSU 85-81 on Jan. 3 and MSU 87-72 on Jan. 4.

Up Next:  Dakota State begins their second round robin of North Star conference play next Friday, visiting Bellevue (Neb.).  The game is set for 7:30 p.m. at Gordon Lozier Athletic Center in Bellevue, Neb.

This Week's Quick Hits
+ Dakota State (S.D.) is seeking for their first North Star Athletic Association victory this season after falling short in the first three conference contests at DSU Fieldhouse.  The last time DSU won a conference game was on Feb. 16, 2024, when the Trojans defeated Valley City State (N.D.) 95-79 at DSU Fieldhouse.
+ The Trojans and Dickinson State (N.D.) split their two meetings last season, with each team winning on the road.  Dakota State won the first meeting 59-53 on Jan. 13, 2024, in Dickinson.  The Blue Hawks defeated the Trojans 85-70 in the second NSAA conference meet on Feb. 17, 2024, in Madison.
+ DSU's series meeting with Jamestown (N.D.) returns for the first time since Dec. 7, 2021, when the Jimmies defeated the Trojans 81-71 at DSU Fieldhouse.
+ The Trojans are seeking for their first win over UJ since Dec 1, 2017, the last year (season) when Jamestown played in the North Star Athletic Association.  DSU is also looking for their first win in Jamestown since Feb. 3, 2016, which was played at the Civic Center.
+ Dakota State will face Jamestown and Dickinson State for the second time later this month, when the Trojans return home on Jan. 24-25 after their three-game road stretch.
+ The North Star Athletic Association concludes their first round robin play this weekend.  The second round robin takes place next weekend, when the Trojans visit Bellevue (Neb.) for the second NSAA meeting this season next Friday.
 
Noteworthy...
DAKOTA STATE-JAMESTOWN SERIES:  Dakota State (S.D.) and Jamestown (N.D.) all-time series return this Saturday for the first time since 2021-22 season.  The last time both teams played in the NSAA conference was during the 2017-18 season with both teams splitting the season series.  DSU and UJ faced each other in the NSAA postseason tournament's championship game for three consecutive years from 2014 through 2016, with the Trojans going 2-1 record against the Jimmies in the championship games.

A LOOK BACK TO DSU-DICKINSON STATE SERIES:  Dakota State was 12-11 record in the last 23 meetings with Dickinson State (N.D.) since Jan. 24, 2015.  The Blue Hawks had won four times in the previous five meetings, including the most recent victory at DSU Fieldhouse on Feb. 17, 2024.  When DiSU joined the NSAA conference in 2014-15, the Trojans had won five straight meetings over the Blue Hawks.

SAVE THE DATES:  Dakota State will hold a cancer awareness night when they return home on Jan. 24 versus Jamestown (N.D.).  The alumni weekend will also be held on the weekend of Jan. 24-25 (host Dickinson State, N.D., on Jan. 25).  After three straight games, the Trojans return home on Feb. 14 for the annual Ag Ball contest versus Mayville State (N.D.).  DSU concludes their regular-season home schedule on Feb. 15 as they host Valley City State (N.D.) as they honor their seniors prior to their warm-ups.
 
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.  DSU will return to action on Monday evening as they welcome Mount Marty at DSU Fieldhouse at 7:45 p.m., and head to Northwestern (Iowa) on Jan. 20.

Bellevue (Neb.) defeats Dakota State (S.D.) in NSAA action
Madison, S.D. (Jan. 4, 2025)—Bellevue (Neb.) shot 55.8 percent from the field to kick off the New Year 2025 with a 64-47 victory over Dakota State (S.D.) at DSU Fieldhouse in the North Star Athletic Association men's basketball action. 

After the Bruins opened the game with a 2-0 lead, the Trojans went on a 10-0 scoring run thanks to four straight baskets made.  Brayden Pankonen capped the scoring run with a 3-pointer to grab a 10-2 lead with 17:06 to go in the first half.

Bellevue then went on a 12-4 scoring run and led 33-24 by halftime.  Dakota State could get no closer than seven points on two different occasions as the Bruins secured the victory.  BU outscored DSU 31-23 in the final twenty minutes. 

Lane Tietz led the Trojans with 13 points on his 6-of-11 field goals.  He had four rebounds.  Aiden Jensen added eight points off the bench.  He also registered three rebounds and two blocks.  Colby Dillenbeck and Pankonen each had six points.  Dillenbeck stole the ball three times.  Taine Mitchell dished out four assists.  Tyler Beckwith, Isaac Sumption, Lukas Morgan, and Hayden Anderson each had three points.

Bellevue was 24-of-43 from the field (55.8 percent) compared to Dakota State 18-of-49 field goals (36.7 percent).  Both teams made six three-pointers in the game.

Trojans in the North Star conference ranks
Madison, S.D. (Jan. 9, 2025)—According to the NAIA-DakStats statistical website as of Thursday, Dakota State ranks second in the North Star Athletic Association in scoring defense during the league play.  The Trojans held its opponents to 71.0 points per game.  DSU is also second in field goals allowed with 80 field goals made.

The Trojans are third overall in conference for scoring offense, averaging 78.0 points per game this season.  Dakota State is second in the NSAA conference with 40.9 rebounds per game.  DSU is also second in the league with plus-7.1 rebounds margin.  The Trojans also ranks third in the conference with plus 4.3 rebounding margin during league contests.

Dakota State leads the North Star conference in assists per game, averaging 15.0assists per game this season. 

DSU is second in the NSAA conference in field goal defense overall, limiting their opponents to 42.4 percent field goal shooting (389-of-917 field goals). 

The Trojans average 6.0 steals per game during the NSAA conference action.

DSU individuals in the NSAA conference ranks
Madison, S.D. (Jan. 9, 2024)—Colby Dillenbeck leads Dakota State (S.D.) with 59.8 perfect from the field goal this season, ranking him fourth best field goal in the North Star Athletic Association.  Prior to the games this weekend, he was 70-of-117 from the field for the Trojans. 

Taine Mitchell ranks sixth in the league in rebounds per game, averaging 5.5 rebounds per game for the Trojans.  He is also second in the NSAA conference with 3.5 assists per game.

Brayden Pankonen and Lane Tietz average 1.2 steals per game, which rank them tied for 10th best steals per game in the league for Dakota State.   Tietz is 11th in the NSAA conference in scoring with 11.7 points per game, while his teammate Dillenbeck averages 11.5 points per game (13th in the NSAA conference).

Dillenbeck averages 4.6 rebounds per game this season for the Trojans, which is ninth best rebounds average overall in the league.  Aiden Jensen averages 4.0 rebounds per game, ranking him 13th best in the league.

2024-25 Dakota State Men's Basketball Team Leaders

• Points/Points Per Game:  Colby Dillenbeck - 175 points (11.7 points per game)
• Field Goal Percentage:  Colby Dillenbeck - 59.8 percent (70-of-117 field goals)
• 3-point Field Goal Percentage:  Brayden Pankonen - 38.8 percent (33-of-85 3-point field goals)
• Free-Throw Percentage:  Brayden Pankonen - 80.8 percent (21-of-26 free-throws)
• Rebounds:  Taine Mitchell - 83 rebounds (5.5 rebounds per game)
• Assists/Assists Per Game:  Taine Mitchell - 52 assists (3.5 assists per game)
• Steals/Steals Per Game:  Lane Tietz, Brayden Pankonen - 18 steals (1.2 steals per game)
• Blocked Shots:  Tyler Beckwith - 6 blocks (0.4 blocks per game)