The race for the 2026 Summit League Women’s Basketball Championship is heating up, with the tournament set to tip off in one month at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Competition continues tonight as South Dakota State travels to face St. Thomas at 8 p.m. CT.
Dominance and Shifts in the Rankings
North Dakota State currently leads the league with an impressive 18-game winning streak and a perfect 9-0 record in Summit League play. This performance has propelled the Bison to the No. 1 spot in the CollegeInsider Mid-Major Top 25. South Dakota also re-entered the mid-major Top 25 at No. 24 after a key victory over South Dakota State, which caused the Jackrabbits to fall from No. 4 to No. 10 in the rankings.
Key Matchups and Upcoming Games
This week features several important contests, including a Saturday matchup between fourth-place Oral Roberts and tied-for-second South Dakota at 2 p.m. CT. All Summit League games this week will be streamed on the Summit League Network.
North Dakota State’s winning streak is currently the second-longest active streak in the nation, trailing only UConn’s 38-game streak. Junior forward Avery Koenen is a key contributor for the Bison, having recorded 16 double-doubles this season, tied for the national lead.
Recent Results and Standout Performances
South Dakota snapped a seven-game losing streak against South Dakota State with a 73-54 victory, fueled by a season-high 25 points from senior Angelina Robles, who surpassed the 1,000-point mark in her career during the game. Oral Roberts also saw strong performances, with junior Gentry Baldwin scoring a career-high 25 points in a win over North Dakota, and Jalei Oglesby adding 21 points in her seventh 20+ point outing of the season. Kansas City secured a narrow 60-59 victory over Omaha thanks to a game-winning layup from junior guard Emani Bennett.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the schedule for upcoming Summit League games?
The schedule includes games on Wednesday, February 4th, Thursday, February 5th, Saturday, February 7th, and beyond, with matchups including South Dakota State at St. Thomas, South Dakota at Denver, and North Dakota State at Kansas City. A full schedule is available in the source material.
Which teams are currently ranked in the mid-major Top 25?
North Dakota State is currently ranked No. 1 in the CollegeInsider Mid-Major Top 25, while South Dakota is ranked No. 24.
How can fans watch Summit League games?
All games this week can be streamed on the Summit League Network.
As the Summit League season progresses, how will teams adjust their strategies to contend for a championship title?
