Scene Setter

The North Dakota State women’s basketball team returns to the Scheels Center this weekend, as the Bison are set to face Omaha Friday, Jan. 8 and Saturday, Jan. 9. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. both days, with a men’s game to follow as part of the doubleheader. Brian Shawn will have the call on MidcoSN and ESPN+ both days, while he will be joined by Freddy Coleman on Friday and Greg Stemen on Saturday. Keith Brake and Katie Johnson will have the radio call on Bison 1660.

Omaha Series History

The Bison own a commanding 47-19 lead in the all-time series that dates back to a 64-58 Omaha victory on Feb. 8, 1980. NDSU has won three-straight in the series after the Mavericks won five-straight games. NDSU is 6-10 against Omaha since the move to NCAA Division I, including a 4-4 record at home. The Bison are 26-6 all-time against the Mavericks in Fargo and 46-14 in games played as conference opponents.

NDSU ranked in College Insider Mid-Major Top 25 Poll

For the fifth-straight week, the Bison are ranked in the College Insider Mid-Major Women’s Top 25. The Bison dropped to 24th after being ranked 19th the last three weeks. NDSU entered the poll for the first time in school history at 16th on Dec. 8. NDSU has also received a vote in USA Today/WBCA Top 25 Coaches Poll for three-straight weeks beginning on Dec. 15. The vote in the December 15 poll was the first vote as an NCAA Division I school in the poll.

Bison Notes

NDSU split games on the opening weekend of conference play, falling 77-65 on Saturday at Western Illinois before bouncing back with a 93-60 win on Sunday against the Leathernecks.

Senior Emily Dietz had her first double-double of the season, and ninth of her career, on Sunday with 15 points and a career-high 14 rebounds.

NDSU finished the non-conference schedule with a 5-1 record. The five victories are tied for the most for the Bison since joining the Summit League. All five came against NCAA Division I opponents, which is the most in that span.

North Dakota State rallied for a 72-69 win over Kansas on Dec. 21 at Allen Fieldhouse.

The victory over Kansas was the first against a Big 12 school in NDSU history and the first win over a Power Five school since beating Minnesota on Dec. 22, 2006.

Scouting Omaha

The Mavericks are 1-4 on the year, having defeated Northern Colorado 66-64 on Nov. 29.

Omaha has not played since a 69-38 loss at Illinois State on Dec. 17. A non-conference game against Graceland and the opening weekend of league play against Oral Roberts were all postponed or canceled.

Averaging 13.6 turnovers per game, the Mavericks rank 46th in the nation. They also rank 66th with a 3.2 turnover margin.

Junior Mariah Murdie was a second team All-Summit League selection last year and was named the preseason first team this season. Murdie is averaging 7.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in three games this season.

The Mavericks are yet to play a home game, but are scheduled to face South Dakota State next weekend at Baxter Arena.

Deaton is Eligible for 2020-21 Season

On Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 4:28 p.m., the NCAA passed a blanket waiver that allowed all transfers from one NCAA Division I school to another to be eligible this season. The waiver allowed sophomore transfer Kadie Deaton to become eligible, after her waiver had been previously denied. Deaton proceeded to score six points and grab two rebounds in 14 minutes in NDSU’s victory over North Dakota later that night.

Living at the 3-Point Line

North Dakota State is one of six teams ranked in the top 35 in the country in 3-point percentage and 3-point percentage defense. NDSU ranks 18th in 3-point percentage at 40.3, while ranking 34th in 3-point percentage defense at 24.7 percent. Both numbers are the best in the Summit League.

Gaislerova, Cobbins Honored

by The Summit League

Michelle Gaislerova and Ryan Cobbins were honored by the Summit League last year. Gaislerova earned a spot on the All-Summit League Honorable Mention team, while Cobbins was named to the Summit League All-Newcomer Team.

Gaislerova led the Bison with 13.1 points per game in league play, ranking 10th in the league. She ranked seventh in the league in 3-point percentage at 39.4, while leading the Summit League in free throw percentage at 97.4 percent. Her 28 3-pointers were the sixth most in the league.

Cobbins averaged 10.1 points per game in league play, ranking third among newcomers to the league. She also averaged 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game in league play. Cobbins ranked 10th in the league in free throw percentage at 78 percent. 

Gaislerova Joins 1,000 Point Club

Junior Michelle Gaislerova scored 18 points against Purdue Fort Wayne on Feb. 13, becoming the 34th member of the 1,000 point club. Needing just one point to start the game, Gaislerova scored the opening basket of the game. She is the seventh player to have done so with all years being played during the NCAA Division I era.

Gaislerova Makes NCAA History

With her third made free throw against Purdue Fort Wayne on Feb. 13, junior Michelle Gaislerova broke the NCAA Division I women’s record for most consecutive free throws made with 71. Gaislerova extended the streak to 75 before missing her second attempt against North Dakota on Feb. 23. Her total is the third longest streak in all NCAA women’s divisions. 

Bison Add Four on National Signing Day

The North Dakota State women’s basketball team has announced four additions to the roster, beginning in the 2021-22 season. Ellie Dague, a 5-10 guard from Henning, Minn., Katie Hildebrandt, a 6-2 forward from McFarland, Wis., Abbey Kubas, a 5-11 forward from Dickinson, N.D. and Sophie Olson, a 5-10 guard/forward from El Dorado Hills, Calif. are all set to join the Bison.

Dague is ranked the fifth-best guard in Minnesota and the 13th best player overall. She was named to the Minnesota 1A All-State team while averaging 20.7 points and 5.3 rebounds as a junior.

Hildebrandt is ranked the 18th best player and second-best small forward in Wisconsin. She averaged 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game as a junior.

Kubas is ranked the 12th best player and fourth-best small forward in North Dakota. She hit the 1,000 point mark as a junior, while averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds per game.

Olson is ranked the 10th best shooting guard and 43rd player overall in California. She led Oak Ridge High School to the state tournament in 2018 and 2020. Olson is the younger sister of Bison redshirt-sophomore Marie Olson.

The Jory Collins Show

Tune in every Monday night to the Bison Basketball Radio Show with Jory Collins on Bison 1660. Collins and Keith Brake recap the last few games and preview the upcoming schedule. The show airs at 7 p.m. on the following dates: Dec. 7, Dec. 14, Dec. 28, Jan. 11, Jan. 18, Jan. 25, Feb. 1, Feb. 8, Feb. 15, Feb. 22, March 1 and March 15.

On The Horizon

NDSU hits the road next weekend, traveling up I-29 to Grand Forks for a weekend set with North Dakota. The two teams will face each other on Friday, Jan. 15 and Saturday, Jan. 16. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. for both games.