Walsdorf Leading Trojans Through NAIA Tournament

Tonight, the Dakota State Women’s basketball team will be looking to keep their season alive with a trip to the NAIA Championship on the line.

The Trojans came into the tournament off of their first loss of the 2023 calendar year, after falling to Mayville State in the NSAA Championship. That loss ended the Trojans 15-game win streak, but since the loss they have been ending other teams double-digit win streaks. 

DSU came into the NAIA National Tournament as the sixth seed in the Liston Quadrant, and first matched up against 11-seed Morningside, winning 78-65. From there, the Trojans have been handing out upsets. 

It started against three-seed Eastern Oregon, who saw their 20-game win streak end after falling to Dakota State 86-69. 

When the Trojans advanced to the Round of 16, they saw another team with a long win streak, as Carroll had won 15 straight. That didn’t stop the Trojans from providing the biggest upset in the Round of 16, defeating the number two seed, Carroll College, 82-72.

Then in NAIA Quarterfinals, DSU faced their toughest task yet, trying to end the 23-game win streak held by the one-seed, Indiana Wesleyan. Despite trailing at halftime, the Trojans pulled off the upset in the final moments to advance to NAIA Semifinals with a 71-70 victory. 

Trojans Coach David Moe said he told the team at halftime to just continue to do what they do best.

Throughout the tournament, Junior Forward Savannah Walsdorf has been a big bright spot for the Trojans. She is averaging 20 points and 7.5 rebounds per game throughout the tournament, including three-straight games with 20 or more. 

Against IWU she also came away with four steals.

With the lights shining the brightest, that is when the best players tend to step-up, which Coach Moe knew would need to happen.

In their last three-games, not only has DSU upset their opponents but also have ended a combined 58-game win streak between the three teams.

In the semifinals tonight, the Trojans play Clarke who also lost their conference championship game, but has won 31 games this season and come in as the two-seed in the Duer Quadrant. DSU will look to not only add to their school record 29 wins, but to also advance to their first ever NAIA National Championship game. 

Tonight’s game is scheduled to tip-off at 8pm, can be heard on FM 103.1 or online at AmazingMadison.com.