Koenen battles through ankle injury to lead NDSU to Summit League championship game

NDSU beat St. Thomas 63-51 in the conference semifinals

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KVRR) – For the 2nd time in program history, the North Dakota State Bison women’s basketball program is heading to the Summit League championship game. The Bison took down St. Thomas in the conference semifinals 63-51 as the defense got 11 steals.

“I thought we were on point defensively,” said NDSU Head Coach Jory Collins. “You try to have things you hang your hat on regardless of the ball going in. Rebounding and defense is something we try to take a lot of pride in on just things that travel and can go anywhere with you. Because those are effort areas.”

They were led by Summit League Player and Defensive Player of the Year Avery Koenen who bounced back from an ankle injury in the quarterfinals against Omaha. At times Koenen looked like she had discomfort running and jumping with the ankle, but that didn’t stop as she had 31 points, eight rebounds and four steals.

“Avery, coming off her ankle. Everybody was questioning how she was going to be and I think she answered that pretty easily.” said NDSU Coach Collins.

Also returning to the court was Jocelyn Schiller, the sophomore guard that has been out the past two games to an ankle injury. Even though offensively Schiller wasn’t the same for the Bison, her defense and ball movement was very much needed for Coach Collins.

The Summit League championship game is set for Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls. The winner of that game earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I women’s national tournament.