SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Gonzaga women’s basketball’s nonconference schedule is starting to take shape, as it was announced the Zags will play South Dakota State this November.
The Bulldogs and Jackrabbits will meet Nov. 20 at the Sanford Pentagon in a nonconference game. Ticket information will be released at a later date.
“The Sanford Pentagon is a great facility and always puts on high-level events,” Gonzaga head coach Lisa Fortier said in a release. “We have a ton of respect for the South Dakota State program and always look forward to playing quality teams in our nonconference schedule. This should be a very fun, early season game.”
The two teams last met in December 2023 at The Kennel, where Gonzaga earned a dominant 83-58 win. South Dakota State leads the all-time series 3-1.
Last season, Gonzaga captured the West Coast Conference regular-season title for the 20th time, finishing with a 24-11 overall record and a 17-3 mark in WCC play. The Zags fell to Oregon State in the semifinal round of the WCC Tournament and missed the NCAA Tournament. GU received an invite to the inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT), advancing to the quarterfinals before falling to eventual champion Minnesota.
The Zags lost several key players to graduation and the transfer portal this offseason, including Yvonne Ejim, Tayla Dalton, Maud Huijbens and Esther Little to graduation, and Clair O’Connor and Bree Salenbien to the portal. However, GU reloaded through the portal, adding Taylor Smith from Weber State, former Mead High School star and Boise State guard Teryn Gardner, Cal Poly’s Sierra Lichtie, and Zeryhia Aokuso from Saint Mary’s.
South Dakota State won the Summit League championship and earned a No. 10 seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The Jackrabbits upset No. 7 seed Oklahoma State 74-68 in the first round before falling to eventual national champion Connecticut in the second round.
“This is a résumé-building game that is going to stand out on the schedule for both teams,” said Jesse Smith, vice president of operations for Sanford Sports. “The energy in the Sanford Pentagon always rises when the Jackrabbits play here, and Gonzaga is a national brand with a passionate fan base.”