Saturday, December 5
Kent, Ohio
6 p.m.
North Dakota State
at
Kent State
Photo by: Kim Hill
NDSU Women’s Basketball Goes to Kent State Saturday
12/3/2015 3:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball
NDSU Women's Basketball on Twitter
Full Game Notes (PDF)
NDSU at Kent State | Dec. 5 | 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT)
Live Stats | Live Audio (Free) | Live Video (Free)
Radio - 740 The Fan (Brad Anderson, play-by-play)
NDSU Women's Basketball Goes to Kent State Saturday
The North Dakota State women's basketball team will look to snap a three-game losing streak when it travels to Kent, Ohio, on Saturday, Dec. 5, for a non-league game against the Kent State Golden Flashes.
Series History:
Saturday's game at Kent State will be the second meeting in the all-time series between the Bison and Golden Flashes. In the first meeting in the series last season, the Bison posted a 74-68 win in Fargo.
Scouting Kent State
The Kent State University Golden Flashes are 2-4 overall after falling to Cleveland State at home on Wednesday, 60-49. Through six games, Kent State is led offensively by Jordan Korinek with 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Larissa Lurken (13.2 ppg) and Tyra James (10.8 ppg) are also averaging in double figures for the Golden Flashes. As a team, Kent State is averaging 67.8 points per game but allowing 72.3 per game. The Golden Flashes are being outrebounded, on average, 42.2 to 38.3. Kent State was picked to finish tied for fifth out of five teams in the MAC East preseason poll. The Golden Flashes are under the leadership of fourth season head coach Danielle O'Banion.
Catching Up with the #NDSUBison
The Bison are 2-4 entering Saturday's game at Kent State after falling to Delaware in the San Diego State Thanksgiving Classic on Nov. 29, 62-50. NDSU has dropped its last three games after winning two of its first three contests to open the season. Through six games, Marena Whittle leads NDSU and The Summit League offensively with 19.8 points per game and ranks second on the team and third in the league in rebounding with eight boards per game, while Taylor Thunstedt is averaging 14.5 points per game and shooting a team-best 40 percent from three-point range, going 14-for-35. Brianna Jones is averaging a double-double with 10.7 points and a team and Summit League-best 11.3 rebounds per game, and Emily Spier is averaging 9.5 points per game. Jones' 11.3 boards per game ranks 13th in the latest NCAA national statistics. As a team, the Bison are averaging 66.2 points per game but allowing 72.0 per game from their opponents. NDSU is outrebounding its adversaries, on average, 38-33.
Last Time Out: Delaware Defeats Bison Women, 62-50, in San Diego State Thanksgiving Classic
The Delaware Blue Hens defeated the North Dakota State University women's basketball team, 62-50, on Sunday, Nov. 29, in the San Diego State University Thanksgiving Classic at Steve Fisher Court at Viejas Arena.
Senior Marena Whittle led NDSU with a double-double, scoring 23 points and snagging 10 rebounds, while junior Brianna Jones posted a double-double for the second consecutive game, pulling down a game-high 14 boards to go along with 10 points.
North Dakota State shot 33 percent from the floor in the contest, going 21-for-63, but failed to convert a three-pointer for the second straight game, going 0-for-8 from beyond-the-arc. NDSU outrebounded Delaware, 52-32, but committed 16 turnovers which led to 15 Blue Hen points.
The Bison outscored the Blue Hens in the paint, 30-16.
Hannah Jardine paced Delaware with 23 points on 9-for-11 shooting from the field, including a 5-for-7 performance from three-point range.
The Blue Hens went 23-for-63 from the floor for 37 percent and 9-for-20 from long range for 45 percent and only turned the ball over five times.
Last Time Out Against Kent State: Late Rally Lifts NDSU Women to 74-68 Win over Kent State in Regular Season Opener Friday
The North Dakota State University women's basketball team (1-0) used a late second-half run to come from behind and claim a 74-68 win over Kent State (0-1) in the 2014-15 regular season opener on Friday afternoon, Nov. 14, 2014 at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse. The victory was the first for new NDSU head coach Maren Walseth.
Senior point guard Brooke LeMar led the Bison with a game-high 25 points and five assists, while junior forward Holly Johnson tallied 14 points on 5-for-14 shooting, and junior forward Marena Whittle posted 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
The Bison trailed the Golden Flashes, 59-50, with 7:54 to go in the second-half before LeMar and Whittle sparked a 10-0 run that saw NDSU take a 60-59 lead after LeMar converted a layup with 5:08 remaining. The lead was the Bison's first since a 9-7 advantage early in the first-half. North Dakota State went 7-for-10 from the charity stripe in the final five minutes of the contest to secure the 74-68 triumph.
NDSU shot 38 percent from the field in the contest, going 22-for-58, and went 4-for-12 from three-point range for 33 percent. North Dakota State went 26-for-34 at the free throw line for 77 percent.
The Bison scored 33 points off 27 Kent State turnovers and had 14 steals in the game. NDSU posted 12 assists and only turned the ball over 11 times.
Redshirt-senior CiCi Shannon tallied a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead Kent State.
The Golden Flashes shot 48 percent from the field, going 26-for-54, and were 3-for-8 from behind the arc for 38 percent. Kent State went 13-for-18 at the foul line for 72 percent.
First Half Struggles
Through six games, the Bison are being outscored in the first half, 225-184. NDSU is faring much better in the second half, outscoring its opponents 213-207.
Turnover Woes
North Dakota State has struggled taking care of the basketball so far this season. The Bison are averaging 17.2 turnovers per game and have surrendered an average of 18.2 points off turnovers.
Whittle Crashing the Boards
Marena Whittle holds the career record for defensive rebounding average at NDSU through six games with 5.2 boards per game and ranks eighth in overall career rebounding average with 7.2 per game.
Jones Controlling the Glass
Brianna Jones has led the Bison in rebounding in five of six games this season. The Indianapolis native snagged 19 boards in the season opener against New Mexico State, the most rebounds in a single game since Marena Whittle pulled down 20 boards at Omaha last season, to go along with nine against College of St. Mary, eight against Valley City State , six against Maine, 12 at San Diego State and 14 against Delaware. Jones leads the Bison and The Summit League through six games with 11.3 rebounds per game.
Double-Double Performances
Brianna Jones - 12 rebounds, 10 points at San Diego State, Nov. 27; 14 rebounds, 10 points vs. Delaware, Nov. 29
Marena Whittle - 32 points, 10 rebounds vs. Valley City State, Nov. 19; 23 points, 10 rebounds vs. Delaware, Nov. 29
Getting to the Line
North Dakota State has reached the free-throw line 106 times this season. The Bison lead The Summit League in free-throw shooting, going 75-of-106 from the charity stripe for 71 percent. Emily Spier leads the league in free-throw percentage at 81 percent, and Marena Whittle ranks second at 80 percent.
Thunstedt Ascending the NDSU Career Record Books
Taylor Thunstedt already ranks second in career three-point field goal percentage at North Dakota State as a sophomore, going 69-for-174 for 39.7 percent.
NDSU Women's Hoops Inks Seven High School Standouts on National Signing Day
North Dakota State University women's basketball head coach Maren Walseth announced on Wednesday, Nov. 11, that high school seniors Rylee Nudell (Buffalo, N.D./Maple Valley HS), Tyrah Spencer (Oakdale, Minn./Bloomington Kennedy HS), Anna Goodhope (Sioux Falls, S.D./Sioux Falls Washington HS), Autumn Ogden (Marshall, Wis./Monona Grove HS), Liz Bulver (Belton, Mo./Belton HS), Sarah Jacobson (Fargo, N.D./Shanley HS) and Reilly Jacobson (Waukee, Iowa/Waukee HS) have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their education and play women's basketball for North Dakota State beginning in the fall of 2016.
The 2016 class brings a tremendous amount of prep success to the Bison. Seven total championships and multiple runner-ups highlight the class and each player's ability to elevate their team's success.
The 2016 class of Bison will be the first recruiting class to play in the newly renovated Sanford Health Athletic Complex beginning in the fall.
NDSU in The Summit League Statistics (as of Dec. 3)
Team:
Points - 6th (66.2/game), Rebounds - 4th (38.0/game), Assists - 8th (11.5/game), Steals - 9th (6.2/game), Blocks - 8th (1.7/game), Field-Goal Percentage - 5th (.419), Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage - T-5th (.325), Free-Throw Percentage - 1st (.708), Turnovers - 7th (17.2/game)
Individual:
Marena Whittle - Points: 1st (19.8/game), Free-Throw Percentage: 2nd (.800), Rebounds: T-2nd (8.0/game), Turnovers: 6th (3.4/game), Steals: 9th (1.8/game); Taylor Thunstedt - Points: 8th (14.5/game), Assists: 9th (3.2/game), Turnovers: 5th (3.5/game); Brianna Jones - Rebounds: 1st (11.3/game), Turnovers: 3rd (3.8/game); Emily Spier - Free-Throw Percentage: 1st (.813)
Bison Women Sixth in Summit League Preseason Poll; Johnson Named Preseason All-League
The North Dakota State University women's basketball team was picked to finish sixth in The Summit League preseason poll unveiled Wednesday night, Oct. 14, by the league office on "Inside The Summit League."
The Bison tallied 250 points in the poll.
Senior forward Holly Johnson, an honorable mention All-Summit League selection last season, was named to the preseason all-league second team after averaging 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in 2014-15. The Minot, N.D., native enters 2015-16 ranked fourth in NDSU career defensive rebounding average with 3.9 boards per game and tied for ninth in career defensive rebounds with 336.
South Dakota State was selected to capture the 2015-16 Summit League women's basketball championship after winning The Summit League tournament last season. The Jackrabbits collected 17 first-place votes and 508 points in a vote of the league's head coaches, SIDs and select media. South Dakota's Nicole Seekamp was tabbed as the preseason Player of the Year.
South Dakota, last season's regular season champion, earned 15 first-place votes and 502 points to place second in the poll. IUPUI was picked third with 379 points followed by Oral Roberts in fourth with one first-place vote and 317 points. Western Illinois came in fifth followed by the Bison in sixth and Omaha in seventh. Denver and Fort Wayne rounded out the poll in eighth and ninth.
Six NDSU Women's Basketball Games to be Televised During 2015-16 Regular Season
The North Dakota State women's basketball team will be featured on television six times during the 2015-16 regular season, NDSU athletics and The Summit League announced Friday, Nov. 6.
The Bison's game at North Dakota on Dec. 12 will be carried on Midco Sports Network (MidcoSN), while NDSU's Summit League contest against South Dakota State at Scheels Arena on Jan. 3 will be televised regionally on MeTV. The television network is available via over-the-air channels in Bismarck (5.2), Minot (10.2), Williston (8.2) and Dickinson (7.2) as well as through additional providers.
The Bison's Feb. 20 league contest at Scheels Arena against Denver will air in high definition on NBC North Dakota and ESPN3, and NDSU's league game at Western Illinois Feb. 25 will be televised on WIUTV and ESPN3.
North Dakota State will also have a pair of Summit League contests carried on MidcoSN and ESPN3 through the league's television package. The game on Jan. 30 at South Dakota and the contest on Feb. 6 at South Dakota State will be broadcast.
Head Coach Maren Walseth
Maren Walseth is in her second season as the head coach of the North Dakota State University women's basketball team.
In her inaugural season at NDSU, she helped guide the Bison to an 11-17 overall record and a 7-9 Summit League mark. North Dakota State finished sixth in The Summit League, the highest finish for NDSU women's basketball since the 2011-12 season.
Walseth helped coach the Bison to several milestone victories during the 2014-15 season. The first occurred on Jan. 2, when NDSU claimed a 77-64 triumph over Oral Roberts at Scheels Arena, marking the first win for the Bison over the Golden Eagles since the 2009-10 season. The win also snapped a five-game losing skid to ORU. Just two days later on Jan. 4, the Bison stunned the then defending Summit League regular season champion South Dakota State Jackrabbits, defeating SDSU in front of 1,782 spectators at Scheels Arena, 83-78. The victory was the first over the Jacks since 2010-11 and the first at home since 2004-05.
North Dakota State also captured the Florida Atlantic Thanksgiving Tournament title with wins over Northeastern (Mass.) and NJIT Nov. 28-29 in Boca Raton, Fla.
Under Walseth's leadership, three student-athletes were named All-Summit League, the most since NDSU joined the league in 2007. Senior point guard Brooke LeMar was selected first team all-league, junior Holly Johnson was named honorable mention all-league, and freshman Taylor Thunstedt was voted to the all-newcomer team.
Walseth joined the Bison in April, 2014, after spending seven years as an assistant coach at Big Ten power Penn State University in State College, Pa., where she helped the Lady Lions to three Big Ten championships, four NCAA tournament appearances and two NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.
Prior to becoming an assistant at Penn State, Walseth spent three years as an assistant coach at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. While at Navy, she assisted with recruiting as well as on-court player development and scouting, and was also the academic liaison for the Midshipmen.
A native of Bloomington, Minn., Walseth was a two-time All-Big Ten selection and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree as a forward at Penn State from 1997-2002. She was also a key member of the 2000 Lady Lion team that advanced to the Final Four and claimed the Big Ten conference championship. Walseth also was a member of the 1998 WNIT championship team. She graduated from Penn State in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in communications.
Walseth was drafted by the Sacramento Monarchs in the third-round of the 2001 WNBA draft and spent four years playing professionally. She played for the Washington Mystics of the WNBA in 2002 before spending two years playing professionally in France. Walseth also spent a season with the Women's National Basketball League's (NWBL) Colorado Chill.
Walseth's sister, Annika, played for NDSU during the 2007-08 season.
Full Game Notes (PDF)
NDSU at Kent State | Dec. 5 | 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT)
Live Stats | Live Audio (Free) | Live Video (Free)
Radio - 740 The Fan (Brad Anderson, play-by-play)
NDSU Women's Basketball Goes to Kent State Saturday
The North Dakota State women's basketball team will look to snap a three-game losing streak when it travels to Kent, Ohio, on Saturday, Dec. 5, for a non-league game against the Kent State Golden Flashes.
Series History:
Saturday's game at Kent State will be the second meeting in the all-time series between the Bison and Golden Flashes. In the first meeting in the series last season, the Bison posted a 74-68 win in Fargo.
Scouting Kent State
The Kent State University Golden Flashes are 2-4 overall after falling to Cleveland State at home on Wednesday, 60-49. Through six games, Kent State is led offensively by Jordan Korinek with 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Larissa Lurken (13.2 ppg) and Tyra James (10.8 ppg) are also averaging in double figures for the Golden Flashes. As a team, Kent State is averaging 67.8 points per game but allowing 72.3 per game. The Golden Flashes are being outrebounded, on average, 42.2 to 38.3. Kent State was picked to finish tied for fifth out of five teams in the MAC East preseason poll. The Golden Flashes are under the leadership of fourth season head coach Danielle O'Banion.
Catching Up with the #NDSUBison
The Bison are 2-4 entering Saturday's game at Kent State after falling to Delaware in the San Diego State Thanksgiving Classic on Nov. 29, 62-50. NDSU has dropped its last three games after winning two of its first three contests to open the season. Through six games, Marena Whittle leads NDSU and The Summit League offensively with 19.8 points per game and ranks second on the team and third in the league in rebounding with eight boards per game, while Taylor Thunstedt is averaging 14.5 points per game and shooting a team-best 40 percent from three-point range, going 14-for-35. Brianna Jones is averaging a double-double with 10.7 points and a team and Summit League-best 11.3 rebounds per game, and Emily Spier is averaging 9.5 points per game. Jones' 11.3 boards per game ranks 13th in the latest NCAA national statistics. As a team, the Bison are averaging 66.2 points per game but allowing 72.0 per game from their opponents. NDSU is outrebounding its adversaries, on average, 38-33.
Last Time Out: Delaware Defeats Bison Women, 62-50, in San Diego State Thanksgiving Classic
The Delaware Blue Hens defeated the North Dakota State University women's basketball team, 62-50, on Sunday, Nov. 29, in the San Diego State University Thanksgiving Classic at Steve Fisher Court at Viejas Arena.
Senior Marena Whittle led NDSU with a double-double, scoring 23 points and snagging 10 rebounds, while junior Brianna Jones posted a double-double for the second consecutive game, pulling down a game-high 14 boards to go along with 10 points.
North Dakota State shot 33 percent from the floor in the contest, going 21-for-63, but failed to convert a three-pointer for the second straight game, going 0-for-8 from beyond-the-arc. NDSU outrebounded Delaware, 52-32, but committed 16 turnovers which led to 15 Blue Hen points.
The Bison outscored the Blue Hens in the paint, 30-16.
Hannah Jardine paced Delaware with 23 points on 9-for-11 shooting from the field, including a 5-for-7 performance from three-point range.
The Blue Hens went 23-for-63 from the floor for 37 percent and 9-for-20 from long range for 45 percent and only turned the ball over five times.
Last Time Out Against Kent State: Late Rally Lifts NDSU Women to 74-68 Win over Kent State in Regular Season Opener Friday
The North Dakota State University women's basketball team (1-0) used a late second-half run to come from behind and claim a 74-68 win over Kent State (0-1) in the 2014-15 regular season opener on Friday afternoon, Nov. 14, 2014 at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse. The victory was the first for new NDSU head coach Maren Walseth.
Senior point guard Brooke LeMar led the Bison with a game-high 25 points and five assists, while junior forward Holly Johnson tallied 14 points on 5-for-14 shooting, and junior forward Marena Whittle posted 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
The Bison trailed the Golden Flashes, 59-50, with 7:54 to go in the second-half before LeMar and Whittle sparked a 10-0 run that saw NDSU take a 60-59 lead after LeMar converted a layup with 5:08 remaining. The lead was the Bison's first since a 9-7 advantage early in the first-half. North Dakota State went 7-for-10 from the charity stripe in the final five minutes of the contest to secure the 74-68 triumph.
NDSU shot 38 percent from the field in the contest, going 22-for-58, and went 4-for-12 from three-point range for 33 percent. North Dakota State went 26-for-34 at the free throw line for 77 percent.
The Bison scored 33 points off 27 Kent State turnovers and had 14 steals in the game. NDSU posted 12 assists and only turned the ball over 11 times.
Redshirt-senior CiCi Shannon tallied a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead Kent State.
The Golden Flashes shot 48 percent from the field, going 26-for-54, and were 3-for-8 from behind the arc for 38 percent. Kent State went 13-for-18 at the foul line for 72 percent.
First Half Struggles
Through six games, the Bison are being outscored in the first half, 225-184. NDSU is faring much better in the second half, outscoring its opponents 213-207.
Turnover Woes
North Dakota State has struggled taking care of the basketball so far this season. The Bison are averaging 17.2 turnovers per game and have surrendered an average of 18.2 points off turnovers.
Whittle Crashing the Boards
Marena Whittle holds the career record for defensive rebounding average at NDSU through six games with 5.2 boards per game and ranks eighth in overall career rebounding average with 7.2 per game.
Jones Controlling the Glass
Brianna Jones has led the Bison in rebounding in five of six games this season. The Indianapolis native snagged 19 boards in the season opener against New Mexico State, the most rebounds in a single game since Marena Whittle pulled down 20 boards at Omaha last season, to go along with nine against College of St. Mary, eight against Valley City State , six against Maine, 12 at San Diego State and 14 against Delaware. Jones leads the Bison and The Summit League through six games with 11.3 rebounds per game.
Double-Double Performances
Brianna Jones - 12 rebounds, 10 points at San Diego State, Nov. 27; 14 rebounds, 10 points vs. Delaware, Nov. 29
Marena Whittle - 32 points, 10 rebounds vs. Valley City State, Nov. 19; 23 points, 10 rebounds vs. Delaware, Nov. 29
Getting to the Line
North Dakota State has reached the free-throw line 106 times this season. The Bison lead The Summit League in free-throw shooting, going 75-of-106 from the charity stripe for 71 percent. Emily Spier leads the league in free-throw percentage at 81 percent, and Marena Whittle ranks second at 80 percent.
Thunstedt Ascending the NDSU Career Record Books
Taylor Thunstedt already ranks second in career three-point field goal percentage at North Dakota State as a sophomore, going 69-for-174 for 39.7 percent.
NDSU Women's Hoops Inks Seven High School Standouts on National Signing Day
North Dakota State University women's basketball head coach Maren Walseth announced on Wednesday, Nov. 11, that high school seniors Rylee Nudell (Buffalo, N.D./Maple Valley HS), Tyrah Spencer (Oakdale, Minn./Bloomington Kennedy HS), Anna Goodhope (Sioux Falls, S.D./Sioux Falls Washington HS), Autumn Ogden (Marshall, Wis./Monona Grove HS), Liz Bulver (Belton, Mo./Belton HS), Sarah Jacobson (Fargo, N.D./Shanley HS) and Reilly Jacobson (Waukee, Iowa/Waukee HS) have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their education and play women's basketball for North Dakota State beginning in the fall of 2016.
The 2016 class brings a tremendous amount of prep success to the Bison. Seven total championships and multiple runner-ups highlight the class and each player's ability to elevate their team's success.
The 2016 class of Bison will be the first recruiting class to play in the newly renovated Sanford Health Athletic Complex beginning in the fall.
NDSU in The Summit League Statistics (as of Dec. 3)
Team:
Points - 6th (66.2/game), Rebounds - 4th (38.0/game), Assists - 8th (11.5/game), Steals - 9th (6.2/game), Blocks - 8th (1.7/game), Field-Goal Percentage - 5th (.419), Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage - T-5th (.325), Free-Throw Percentage - 1st (.708), Turnovers - 7th (17.2/game)
Individual:
Marena Whittle - Points: 1st (19.8/game), Free-Throw Percentage: 2nd (.800), Rebounds: T-2nd (8.0/game), Turnovers: 6th (3.4/game), Steals: 9th (1.8/game); Taylor Thunstedt - Points: 8th (14.5/game), Assists: 9th (3.2/game), Turnovers: 5th (3.5/game); Brianna Jones - Rebounds: 1st (11.3/game), Turnovers: 3rd (3.8/game); Emily Spier - Free-Throw Percentage: 1st (.813)
Bison Women Sixth in Summit League Preseason Poll; Johnson Named Preseason All-League
The North Dakota State University women's basketball team was picked to finish sixth in The Summit League preseason poll unveiled Wednesday night, Oct. 14, by the league office on "Inside The Summit League."
The Bison tallied 250 points in the poll.
Senior forward Holly Johnson, an honorable mention All-Summit League selection last season, was named to the preseason all-league second team after averaging 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in 2014-15. The Minot, N.D., native enters 2015-16 ranked fourth in NDSU career defensive rebounding average with 3.9 boards per game and tied for ninth in career defensive rebounds with 336.
South Dakota State was selected to capture the 2015-16 Summit League women's basketball championship after winning The Summit League tournament last season. The Jackrabbits collected 17 first-place votes and 508 points in a vote of the league's head coaches, SIDs and select media. South Dakota's Nicole Seekamp was tabbed as the preseason Player of the Year.
South Dakota, last season's regular season champion, earned 15 first-place votes and 502 points to place second in the poll. IUPUI was picked third with 379 points followed by Oral Roberts in fourth with one first-place vote and 317 points. Western Illinois came in fifth followed by the Bison in sixth and Omaha in seventh. Denver and Fort Wayne rounded out the poll in eighth and ninth.
Six NDSU Women's Basketball Games to be Televised During 2015-16 Regular Season
The North Dakota State women's basketball team will be featured on television six times during the 2015-16 regular season, NDSU athletics and The Summit League announced Friday, Nov. 6.
The Bison's game at North Dakota on Dec. 12 will be carried on Midco Sports Network (MidcoSN), while NDSU's Summit League contest against South Dakota State at Scheels Arena on Jan. 3 will be televised regionally on MeTV. The television network is available via over-the-air channels in Bismarck (5.2), Minot (10.2), Williston (8.2) and Dickinson (7.2) as well as through additional providers.
The Bison's Feb. 20 league contest at Scheels Arena against Denver will air in high definition on NBC North Dakota and ESPN3, and NDSU's league game at Western Illinois Feb. 25 will be televised on WIUTV and ESPN3.
North Dakota State will also have a pair of Summit League contests carried on MidcoSN and ESPN3 through the league's television package. The game on Jan. 30 at South Dakota and the contest on Feb. 6 at South Dakota State will be broadcast.
Head Coach Maren Walseth
Maren Walseth is in her second season as the head coach of the North Dakota State University women's basketball team.
In her inaugural season at NDSU, she helped guide the Bison to an 11-17 overall record and a 7-9 Summit League mark. North Dakota State finished sixth in The Summit League, the highest finish for NDSU women's basketball since the 2011-12 season.
Walseth helped coach the Bison to several milestone victories during the 2014-15 season. The first occurred on Jan. 2, when NDSU claimed a 77-64 triumph over Oral Roberts at Scheels Arena, marking the first win for the Bison over the Golden Eagles since the 2009-10 season. The win also snapped a five-game losing skid to ORU. Just two days later on Jan. 4, the Bison stunned the then defending Summit League regular season champion South Dakota State Jackrabbits, defeating SDSU in front of 1,782 spectators at Scheels Arena, 83-78. The victory was the first over the Jacks since 2010-11 and the first at home since 2004-05.
North Dakota State also captured the Florida Atlantic Thanksgiving Tournament title with wins over Northeastern (Mass.) and NJIT Nov. 28-29 in Boca Raton, Fla.
Under Walseth's leadership, three student-athletes were named All-Summit League, the most since NDSU joined the league in 2007. Senior point guard Brooke LeMar was selected first team all-league, junior Holly Johnson was named honorable mention all-league, and freshman Taylor Thunstedt was voted to the all-newcomer team.
Walseth joined the Bison in April, 2014, after spending seven years as an assistant coach at Big Ten power Penn State University in State College, Pa., where she helped the Lady Lions to three Big Ten championships, four NCAA tournament appearances and two NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.
Prior to becoming an assistant at Penn State, Walseth spent three years as an assistant coach at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. While at Navy, she assisted with recruiting as well as on-court player development and scouting, and was also the academic liaison for the Midshipmen.
A native of Bloomington, Minn., Walseth was a two-time All-Big Ten selection and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree as a forward at Penn State from 1997-2002. She was also a key member of the 2000 Lady Lion team that advanced to the Final Four and claimed the Big Ten conference championship. Walseth also was a member of the 1998 WNIT championship team. She graduated from Penn State in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in communications.
Walseth was drafted by the Sacramento Monarchs in the third-round of the 2001 WNBA draft and spent four years playing professionally. She played for the Washington Mystics of the WNBA in 2002 before spending two years playing professionally in France. Walseth also spent a season with the Women's National Basketball League's (NWBL) Colorado Chill.
Walseth's sister, Annika, played for NDSU during the 2007-08 season.
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/ Women's BasketballSunday, March 22
Friday, March 20
Thursday, March 12
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