Trojans Look to Use Homecourt to Reestablish Rhythm: Game Preview – #10 Dakota State vs Valley City State
The #10 ranked Trojan Women’s Basketball team (21-5 overall, 9-1 NSAA) returns home for the first of their last two home regular season games with the first game on Friday against Valley City State.
Valley City State
The Vikings (12-12 overall, 6-4 NSAA) are currently riding back-to-back wins in conference this past week. Though they don’t fare so well on the road this year. Sitting with just a 3-5 road record, but two of the wins coming in conference.
Last time these two teams matched up, the Trojans came out on top by a score of 104-67 in Valley City. DSU had an explosive 31-point opening quarter on VCSU and they could never recover. Dakota State forced the Vikings into 22 turnovers in that game.
As of late, the Vikings have gotten their last two wins by 15+ points and shot 44% or better in both games. They’re second in scoring at 74 points per game in the North Star Athletic Association coming into the game.
They’re led in scoring by Ashlyn Diemert who is averaging 16.7 points per game on the season. A true threat from deep at 41.7% shooting from beyond the arc. Along with a pair of players in double figures scoring – Hailey Roberts with 10.6 per game and Adriana Torres with 10 a game.
Dakota State
For the Trojans, they’re looking to bounce back as they return home. They suffered a tough loss to the #12 ranked Mayville State Comets this past Friday. Where they tied a season-low in field goals made (20), had a season-low in 3-pt attempts (16), season-low in assists (4), a season-low in rebounds (28), suffered a season-high in turnovers (31) and a season-low scoring total of just 49 points.
History is on the side of the Trojans as they have won their last 12 meetings against the Vikings, including five straight at home. In their last win over VCSU, DSU’s 104 points is a season-high mark. The Trojans have to get back to playing their brand of basketball – fast, free and fun. They haven’t suffered back-to-back losses since mid-December and this is no time to do so with the tournament around the corner.
The Trojans are led in scoring by Savannah Walsdorf with 16.2 points per game. She also leads Dakota State in 3-pt percentage (39.7%), assists (2.2) and steals (3.1). DSU is averaging 78.9 points per game through 26 games and 79.4 a game in conference play. Walsdorf is set to break another all-time record for DSU vs the Vikings. As she is just one rebound away from sole possession of the all-time lead in rebounds after tying Julie Fiegen at 954 rebounds this past Friday.
Tipoff is set for 5:30pm with the pregame at 5:15pm on Jammin Country 103.
