Trojans Set to Open North Star Athletic Association Quarterfinals: Game Preview – #10 Dakota State vs Waldorf
The #10 ranked Trojan Women’s Basketball team (23-5 overall, 11-1 NSAA) will now step into postseason play as they will host the No. 7 seed Waldorf Warriors in the North Star Athletic Association Quarterfinals.
This will be the third meeting of the season between the two teams. Both of the initial two meetings the Trojans won by 32. It’s also the second time in the last three seasons that these two teams met in the Quarterfinals of the NSAA Tournament. DSU won that matchup 93-52 in Watertown, SD.
Waldorf
The Warriors (6-19 overall, 1-11 NSAA) have lost 11 of their last 12 games and just one lone win in conference play. A team that has been unable to find its footing all season long and won’t suddenly sprout wings at this point in the year. They’ve been a team who has been searching for a bright spot or two all year.
One bright spot could be their freshman forward, Brooke Dial. She leads their team in scoring with 15.9 points per game and in rebounding with 7.3 rebounds a game. Dial very well could be the only player on this team to receive any conference honor.
This Waldorf team was allowing 77.5 points per game in conference play and only averaged 57.7 on offense. They’re not an efficient team and have lost 11 straight to Dakota State who leads the all-time series 18-2.
Dakota State
The Trojans come into the game not having lost at home in three months. Coming off a weekend that concluded conference play with them posting 199 points in two games. More importantly, getting back to what they do. Playing fast, free, fun and playing for each other.
This group, when locked in, is one of the most dangerous in the NAIA on both ends of the floor. Their best can beat anyone, anywhere, any place and at any time. Last year, the Trojans were unable to claim the NSAA Postseason Title, but aim to avenge last season. It would be their third postseason title in four years.
Dakota State is led in scoring by Savannah Walsdorf with 16.8 points per game. Additionally, Walsdorf is sitting 11th in the NAIA in steals with 3.1 per game this season. She is 22 steals away from the top spot in single-season steals held by Michelle Butash who had 109 in 1996-97. Angela Slattery is also in double figures scoring with 10 a game.
DSU’s second and third quarters have been where the tide turned in the first two meetings between the two teams. With the Trojans allowing the Warriors to stay within striking distance in the early going. Dakota State has yet to force this Waldorf team into 20 or more turnovers as it did every other NSAA opponent besides Dickinson State.
Tipoff is set for 5:30pm in the DSU Fieldhouse with pregame beginning at 5:15 on Jammin Country 103.
