The Dakota State University Trojans women鈥檚 basketball team, with a 28-5 record and a No. 7 ranking in NAIA, embarks on the NAIA Women's Basketball National Tournament at Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. As the No. 3 seed in the Naismith Bracket, they face No. 10 seed Indiana Wesleyan (19-13) at 3 p.m. on Thursday. This matchup marks the third consecutive tournament meeting between the teams, where Dakota State previously defeated Indiana Wesleyan both times.

By the Numbers
  • Dakota State has won 28 games this season, tying the school record for wins in a season.
  • They finished their home schedule with a perfect 16-0 record and are 87-6 at home since January 2020.
Yes, But

While Dakota State boasts a strong record and home advantage, they need to overcome the challenge of facing a double-digit seed for the third consecutive game, which can often lead to unpredictability in outcomes.

State of Play
  • The tournament has advanced to the Round of 16 with Dakota State set to compete against Indiana Wesleyan.
  • Freed-Hardeman (No. 1 seed) and Georgetown (No. 5 seed) are also in the Naismith quadrant.
What's Next

If Dakota State wins against Indiana Wesleyan, they will move on to the national quarterfinals on Saturday. Continuing their strong performance could secure them a place in the championship game.

Bottom Line

The Trojans are in a strong position with historical performance on their side, but they must remain focused and adaptable to stay ahead in this competitive tournament landscape.