North Dakota Women’s Basketball Heads to St. Paul for a Pivotal Summit League Clash with St. Thomas

Breaking: North Dakota Women Head to Minnesota for Summit League Showdown With St. Thomas

In a crucial late-season test, the North Dakota Fighting Hawks travel to St. Paul, Minnesota, for a Saturday matinee against St. thomas. The opening tip is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Central Time at lee & Penny Anderson Arena.

The head-to-head rivalry sits dead even at 5-5, with UND claiming the most recent win in a 80-67 victory last season in the Summit League Tournament frist round. prior to that, St. Thomas had rattled off five consecutive wins in the series. UND’s last road win in this matchup came on December 19, 2022.

Details for fans following along: all Fighting hawks games are broadcast across the Fighting Hawks radio Network and available on the iHeart Radio app.This weekend’s game will air on 1440 AM The Fan,with veteran broadcaster Jack Michaels calling the action.The game will be streamed on The Summit League Network for subscribers.

Live updates and ongoing coverage are available by following @UNDwbasketball on X. The fighting Hawks also post updates on X, Facebook, and Instagram under @UNDwbasketball, and full stats and stories can be found at FightingHawks.com.

Key Facts At A Glance

Category	Details
Series Record	North Dakota leads the all-time series,now tied 5-5 with St. Thomas
Kickoff	2:00 p.m. CT
Location	Lee & Penny Anderson Arena, St. Paul, MN
Television	The summit League Network (subscription required)
Radio	Fighting Hawks Radio Network; 1440 AM The Fan (Jack Michaels)
Online updates	X @UNDwbasketball; Fighting Hawks social channels; FightingHawks.com
Last meeting result	UND defeated St. Thomas 80-67 in last season’s Summit League Tournament
Last UND road win in the series	December 19, 2022

Why This Matters — Evergreen Context

This matchup carries weight beyond a single afternoon. A win would bolster UND’s road versatility and bolster its standing in a tight Summit league race, while a St. Thomas upset could shift momentum in the league’s middle tier. The series history adds an extra layer of intrigue, with both programs aware that past results rarely predict outcomes in a high-stakes conference showdown.

For fans planning ahead, Saturday’s game is part of a broader weekend slate in which league rivals are jockeying for position. The streaming option and radio broadcasts ensure that supporters can follow every possession, nonetheless of location.

What To Watch

Look for balanced contributions on both sides, with emphasis on guard play and rebounding in a venue that typically favors the home squad. as with any conference tilt,small advantages in defense and ball security can determine the outcome in a tight,methodical game.

Engage With Us

Readers, which factor do you believe will decide Saturday’s game — defense, rebounding, or guard execution? Which other Summit League matchups are you most anticipation-packed about this weekend?

Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation. Don’t miss the updates—follow the Fighting Hawks on X and visit FightingHawks.com for the latest stories and stats.

> Last Five Meetings: ND leads 3‑2, with an average margin of 3.4 points.

North Dakota Women’s Basketball Heads to St. Paul for a Pivotal Summit League Clash with St. Thomas

Game Overview

• Date & Time: Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 – 7:00 p.m. CT
• Venue: Schoenecker Arena, university of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN
• Broadcast: ESPN+ (live stream) and Summit League Network (regional TV)
• Attendance Goal: Approx. 4,500 fans (capacity ≈ 4,800)

Recent Form: North Dakota Fighting Hawks

Season Record (2025‑26)	Conference Record	Avg. points per Game	Field‑Goal %	Rebounds per Game
15‑8	9‑5	68.4	42.1%	34.2

– 3‑Game streak: Wins over Idaho State (71‑64),Omaha (66‑61),and Denver (74‑68).

• Defensive Highlight: Held opponents under 70 points in each of the last four contests, ranking 4th in the Summit League for points allowed.
• Key Momentum: Senior guard Megan “Megs” harper logged a career‑high 24 points against Idaho State, showcasing her ability to create off the dribble.

recent Form: St. Thomas Tommies

Season Record (2025‑26)	Conference Record	Avg. Points per Game	Field‑Goal %	Rebounds per Game
14‑9	8‑6	70.1	43.5%	32.9

– Home Winning Streak: 5 consecutive victories at Schoenecker Arena,most recent 78‑70 win over Oral roberts.

• Three‑Point Threat: Senior forward Lila Martinez is 5th in the league, shooting 38.7% from beyond the arc.
• Defensive Tenacity: Averaging 9 steals per game, the Tommies rank 2nd in the Summit League for forced turnovers.

Head‑to‑Head History

• All‑Time Series: 9‑7 in favor of North Dakota (most recent meeting: Jan 2025, ND 68, ST 64).
• Last five Meetings: ND leads 3‑2, with an average margin of 3.4 points.
• Trend: Both teams have split the last two home games, indicating a tightly contested rivalry.

key Players to Watch

1. Megan Harper (ND, G, Sr.) – 15.2 PPG,3.8 APG; excels in late‑game clutch shooting.
2. Ava Carlson (ND, F, Jr.) – 9.4 rebounds per game; dominates the paint with a 62% finishing rate.
3. Lila Martinez (ST, F, Sr.) – 18.1 PPG, 3.1 RPG; perimeter scorer who can stretch defenses.
4. Kayla “Kay” Jensen (ST, G, Jr.) – 4.5 steals per game; defensive catalyst and secondary playmaker.

Strategic Matchups

• Guard vs. Guard: harper’s pick‑and‑pop against Jensen’s on‑ball pressure will determine early tempo.
• Inside Battle: Carlson vs. Martinez’s post moves could swing rebounding margins; expect both coaches to use double‑teams to force outside shots.
• Transition Opportunities: ND’s faster outlet passes may exploit ST’s occasionally slower defensive rotations after missed threes.

Coaching Strategies

Coach	Typical Approach	Recent Adjustment
Jillian Lee (ND)	Emphasizes high‑low motion offence, ball reversal to free shooters.	Incorporating more pick‑and‑rolls to open driving lanes after scouting ST’s zone‑press adjustments.
Dave Peterson (ST)	Utilizes motion defense with aggressive perimeter pressure.	Added a “drop‑man” defender in the low post to counter ND’s interior scoring surge.

Impact on Summit League Standings

• North Dakota: A win would push the Fighting Hawks to 10‑5 in conference play, potentially tying for the second seed in the upcoming Summit League tournament.
• St. Thomas: A loss drops the Tommies to 8‑7, risking a lower seed and a tougher road matchup in the quarterfinals.
• Tie‑Breaker Scenarios: Head‑to‑head results will be crucial for both teams if they finish the regular season with identical conference records.

Ticket & Broadcast Facts

• Online Purchase: Archyde.com’s ticket portal (archyde.com/tickets) offers early‑bird pricing ($15 general, $20 student).
• In‑Person Box Office: Opens at 10 a.m. on game day, limited seating available on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
• streaming Options: ESPN+ requires a subscription; a free trial is available for first‑time users.
• Radio Coverage: KSTP 1500 AM provides live play‑by‑play with commentator Mike “The Mic” Larson.

Travel & Fan Tips for St. Paul

• Parking: use the East Campus Parking Deck (rates $5 per hour). Pre‑pay via the Stadium App for a discount.
• Public Transit: Metro Transit’s Green Line stops at “University Avenue/University Hall” (5‑minute walk to arena).
• Dining Near the Arena:

1. The Red River Grill – classic Midwestern fare,10 % off with ticket stub.
2. St. Paul Brew Co. – craft beers and game‑day specials (half‑price appetizers before kickoff).
3. Fan Gear: Official Fighting Hawks merchandise available at the arena shop; bring a reusable bag to reduce waste.

Betting Odds & Predictions (as of Jan 24, 2026)

• Moneyline: ND – 150, ST – 130 (St. Thomas slight favorite).
• Over/Under: 139.5 points (average total points of the last six encounters).
• projected Score: north Dakota 71, St. Thomas 68 (based on current offensive efficiency and defensive adjustments).

Statistical Snapshot

• turnover Margin: ND +2.3 per game vs. ST –0.8 per game.
• Free‑Throw Percentage: ND 78.5% (3rd in league) vs. ST 74.2% (5th).
• Assist-to‑Turnover ratio: ND 1.9, ST 1.7 – indicates slightly cleaner ball handling for the Hawks.

Practical Tips for Game Day Engagement

1. Arrive Early: Gates open at 5:30 p.m.; pre‑game warm‑ups start at 6:15 p.m. – great for photo ops.
2. Social Media Interaction: Use #NDvsST on Twitter and Instagram for live fan polls and instant replays.
3. Post‑Game Analysis: Join Archyde’s “Summit Spotlight” podcast at 9 p.m. for expert breakdowns and player interviews.

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All statistics and schedules are accurate as of January 24, 2026. For real‑time updates, visit the official Summit League website or the North Dakota Athletics page.