Streaks, Stars and Rivalry Renewed as NDSU Faces SDSU

Win streaks collide as North Dakota State looks to snap South Dakota State’s long run of dominance

FARGO (KVRR) –“This is one of those games. This is why you compete,” Collins said. “This is why players do the things they do to put themselves in position to get to play in these high leverage games, and it should be a lot of fun.”

The Bison and Jackrabbits enter Saturday’s matchup riding impressive win streaks. North Dakota State has won 13 straight games and is a perfect 4-0 in Summit League play. South Dakota State brings an identical 4-0 league record, but it is the Jackrabbits’ larger body of work that looms over the rivalry.

South Dakota State has won 67 straight regular season Summit League games and 24 consecutive meetings against the Bison. The last time North Dakota State beat the Jackrabbits was 2015. The last time it happened in Brookings was 2010.

Junior forward Avery Koenen understands the challenge, but also sees it as the next step for the program.

“We have lost to them quite a few times in the past,” Koenen said. “So the next step for our program is winning this game. When we do match up with them, it’s going into it expecting to win. Not in an arrogant way by any means, but just confident in knowing that we can win.”

One of the headline matchups will be inside. South Dakota State star Brooklyn Meyer leads the Jackrabbits, averaging 20 points and seven rebounds per game. She will be matched up against Koenen, who is averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Bison.

“She’s a great player. I think everyone sees that,” Koenen said. “I respect her a ton and what she’s done and what she’s capable of. It’s always fun when you get to go up against someone similar to yourself. I’m really excited. I think we have a great team that can go against that, and our guard work is going to be hard for them to stop too.”

Collins echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that while the star power draws attention, the game will be decided by more than one matchup.

“It’s going to be a great matchup,” Collins said. “It’s two of the best players in the league having phenomenal seasons. But I would tell you there are plenty of other players on both sides who have a chance to have a big impact too.”

And it would not be SDSU versus NDSU without the rivalry element. It is a game circled on the calendar every season, fueled by history and the atmosphere.

“I think going against them, it’s going to be a full house,” Koenen said. “When you have that kind of atmosphere, you get extra juice. I’m excited to see how our team competes.”

North Dakota State and South Dakota State tip off at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 17 in Brookings, South Dakota.