Trojans Set to Host NAIA Top 15 Matchup: Game Preview – #11 Dakota State vs #13 Mayville State
The #11 ranked Trojan Women’s Basketball team (17-4 overall, 5-0 NSAA) will round out their three-game home stretch with a Top 15 matchup in the DSU Fieldhouse with the #13 ranked Mayville State Comets.
The two teams met earlier this season in the Dakota Clash and the Trojans came out on top 63-59 in a neutral site game. Though since that matchup, the Comets have not lost a game. Both teams sit atop the conference and the winner of this game will stand alone.
Mayville State
The Comets (15-2 overall, 4-0 NSAA) are a high powered offense and are riding a 10-game winning streak. They nearly slipped up against Viterbo on Jan. 12, but ended up coming out on top by seven. This team likes to get up and down the floor and will move the basketball. As well as a solid team on the road where they are 8-0. Their only two losses are at a neutral site.
Another area where their offense stems from is the ability to get to the free throw line and make their foul shots. They shoot 25.5 free throws per game in North Star Athletic Association play. Which is a slight uptick from their already high rate of 21.4 free throw attempts per game for the entire season.
They’re led in scoring by senior Jordan Zrust at 19.4 points per game. She is the main one that sees the free throw line for MSU, along with being their most efficient shooter from there as well. Zrust’s 89.3% free throw percentage ranks 24th in the NAIA and her total makes from the line (100) is tied for 12th in the NAIA. Behind Zrust in scoring is junior Mackenzie Hughes with 16.8 points per game on 50% shooting from the field.
Dakota State
Dakota State comes into the game on a win streak themselves at nine games. Playing some of their best basketball of the season both at home and on the road. DSU is on a five-game home winning streak against the Comets, with the streak beginning back on Nov. 20, 2020.
This DSU team is clicking on both ends of the floor as conference play heats up. They have a calmness about themselves on the floor that will be vital in a game like this. The Trojan defense has turned up in conference most notably forcing teams into 20.6 turnovers per game. Mayville State averages 14.3 turnovers per game in conference play, which ranks second behind the Trojans (12.2).
The Trojans sit amongst the tops of some NAIA rankings as well. Having the 20th best scoring offense in the NAIA at 80.4 points per game. Tabor Teel is 25th in the NAIA in field goal percentage (58.3) along with sitting fifth in blocks (39) and Savannah Walsdorf ranks 5th in the NAIA in steals (63).
Walsdorf leads the Trojans in scoring with 16.1 points per game. Walsdorf is also the leader in 3-pt percentage (41.1) and assists (2.4). One other Trojan scores in double figures and it’s Angela Slattery with 10.5 points per game.
It’ll be vital for DSU to keep the Comets off the foul line and avoid giving them easy baskets. The task will be tall knowing the rate at which Zrust and the Comets see the charity stripe.
Tipoff is set for 5:30pm in the DSU Fieldhouse with pregame beginning at 5:15pm on Jammin Country 103.
