FARGO — Putting together a women’s basketball schedule for North Dakota State in the 2004-05 season was more of an open invitation than anything, with no school deemed unworthy of playing. It even included a team in South Dakota that then-head coach Amy Ruley had never heard of. Si Tanka-Huron came to Fargo for a Saturday afternoon game in February, a few months before the college permanently closed.
That season, the Bison achieved 28 wins, starting with an incredible 26-game winning streak before facing a high-major opponent, Texas Christian University.
Why does that matter now?
On Monday, NDSU defeated Saint Mary’s University (Minn.) 94-36 for its ninth straight victory, the longest winning streak since that first Division I reclassification season 20 years ago.
Bison head coach Jory Collins emphasized focusing on the present, especially with Summit League play starting this week. Still, a longest streak in two decades remains a significant achievement.
“That’s something to be proud of,” said Bison forward Avery Koenen. “It doesn’t really surprise me with this team, and I’m just super proud of how we’ve handled everything. To go on the road the last few weeks and come out with those wins is huge.”
Twenty years ago, the Bison had no league after leaving the Division II North Central Conference and played as an independent.
“But we still went after each game as if it were an important conference game,” Ruley recalled.
This year’s team has adopted the same mentality and hasn’t lost since mid-November against the University of Nebraska.
Others are taking notice. NDSU was ranked 15th in the latest mid-major poll, which surveys the 23 Division I leagues outside the Power 4 conferences and four others.
Koenen is averaging a double-double with 18.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Freshman forward Karrington Asp, standing 6-foot-2, has emerged as a strong contributor, averaging 12.4 points and 5.7 rebounds. Guard Marisa Frost is also making an impact, averaging 12.4 points per game.
Perhaps the most significant addition has been transfer guard Jocelyn Schiller, who runs the point and has brought a new level of completeness to the team.
“I liken them to some of our teams of old,” Ruley said. “I feel like they really enjoy playing together. You can see the enthusiasm and camaraderie out there. We have all the pieces.”
Now, those pieces turn their attention to Summit League play, which begins Thursday at Oral Roberts and continues Saturday at the University of Denver. The conference home opener is slated for January 8 against Kansas City.
Oral Roberts enters conference play with a 6-6 record after enduring an early five-game losing streak. Defending champion South Dakota State, with a 10-4 record, is once again the league favorite, while South Dakota is off to an impressive 9-4 start.
“We start Summit League play, and I think it’s pretty obvious what you’re up against and what’s won the league the last few years,” Collins said. “We’re going to have to win a whole bunch of games if we want to be in contention.”
“These are the games that matter a lot more going forward,” added Koenen. “You have to focus on what’s ahead.”
On Monday, the Division III Cardinals of the MIAC came into Fargo with a 9-1 record, but the difference in competition was clear. NDSU, which hadn’t played in 12 days, was sharp from the outset and led 22-2 after the first quarter.
Koenen finished with 19 points and 7 rebounds in 21 minutes, ending a streak of six straight games with a double-double. Five players reached double digits in scoring.
NDSU’s backup guard Abby Graham was held out as a precaution due to a minor injury.
“I think our confidence is really high right now, especially coming off a break and playing that hard,” Frost said.
With momentum and confidence at a high point, North Dakota State looks poised as Summit League play gets underway.
https://www.thedickinsonpress.com/sports/bison-media-zone/womens-sports/bison-women-forge-best-winning-streak-in-20-years
