BISMARCK, N.D. -- Bismarck State Women's Basketball tips off its second season at the NAIA four-year level Wednesday under the direction of
Jason Harris. The Mystics enter the 2026-2027 season with an improved preseason outlook, relying on the core four returners to lead a brand-new roster.
The Mystics were picked 9th in the 12-team Frontier Conference preseason poll released on Oct. 19, a promising improvement after being picked last in the 2025-26 preseason poll. BSC received 44 points in voting by conference coaches, after finishing 9-19 overall and 9-13 in Frontier Conference play in its first season at the four-year level. Home games will be hosted in the spectacular, newly constructed Bavendick Center, which opened its doors on May 6 as the state-of-the-art home of Mystics Athletics.
Sophomore forward
Ashley Martodam was named BSC's representative on the Frontier Conference's 2026-27 Players to Watch list heading into the season.
Returning Contributors
Senior captains Natalie DeCoteau and Piper Harris look to provide vital leadership alongside their consistent statistical impact. Decoteau brings a balanced presence to the floor after averaging 8.0 points and pulling down 133 total rebounds (5.1 RPG) a year ago. Harris, a dependable guard, anchored the backcourt as one of the few Mystics to start every single game last season. She returns as the engine of the offense after dishing out 73 assists to go with 112 rebounds and 32 steals during her durable freshman campaign.
Martodam returns after a stellar breakout year for the Mystics, averaging 10.1 points per game while shooting an efficient 40.3% from the floor.
Harper Harris adds vital perimeter depth to the returning core, having provided a spark off the bench in all 28 games while knocking down 29 three-pointers last winter, while Raegan Honeyman also returns to active duty this season. After spending last year recovering from a redshirt ACL injury, her return adds valuable depth to the rotation.
New Additions
Coach Harris has loaded the 2026-27 roster with a massive, talented freshman class, expanding the squad with fresh faces. The incoming freshman class features an agile rotation of guards
Kadyn Braun, Jada Ottmar, Aubree Jeanotte, McKenna Pipinich, Tatem Votava, and Kelsey Johnson. Looking to establish a physical and consistent style of play near the basket, the Mystics also add five versatile freshman forwards to the rotation:
Hallie Nero, Maciah Heckaman, Mickellyn Walker, Jordyn Rossow, and Suzzy Leier.
Mystics also add further experience through the transfer portal with two more key additions.
Mashae Miller is a redshirt freshman guard from the UMary (N.D.).
Avery Lunde is also a redshirt freshman guard from Minot State (N.D.).
Harris enters his thirteenth season leading the program, holds a 332-223 career record, and is joined by first-year assistant coach
Kennedy Stormer and returning third-year assistant coach
Courtney Olson.
Season Openers
The Mystics will officially open their highly anticipated 2026-27 schedule on Wednesday, Oct. 28, making their home debut inside the Bavendick Center as they welcome the University of Jamestown at 6 p.m. Following the home opener, the squad will immediately hit the road for a pair of non-conference, neutral-site matchups at the New Town Tip-Off Jamboree. They will take on Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) on Friday, Nov. 6, followed by a highly competitive clash against UMary on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the 4 Bears Event Center.
Conference Home Opener
The team returns to their home floor to mark a true milestone for the program on Friday, Nov. 20, at 5 p.m. To tip off Frontier Conference play, the Mystics will host in-state rival Dickinson State University in the inaugural conference game inside the Bavendick Center. Coach Harris and the Mystics are expecting a high-energy environment for the local rivalry game, creating a spectacular atmosphere for fans and the community as conference play gets underway.
The Blue Hawks finished last season with a 7-19 overall record. In their last meeting on January 22, the Mystics captured a crucial 78-68 conference win in the Armory. Ashley Martodam led the charge with a powerful 18-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Natalie DeCoteau provided a spark off the bench with 11 points. The Mystics finished the night, raining down 15 three-pointers to seal the double-digit win.
The first 500 fans to attend the conference-opening game at the Bavendick Center will receive a free Mystics jersey. Fans wanting to secure a spot can purchase tickets at BSCMystics.com/Tickets.
The 2026–27 schedule features 27 varsity games in total, including 12 home contests. Fans wanting to secure season tickets can complete the contact form on the Bavendick Center webpage.
See the women's basketball schedule for more information on how to follow and attend the upcoming games. You can check out the women's basketball
JV schedule here.
Be sure to visit BSCMystics.com and download the MysticNation app to continue to stay up to date with everything going on in Mystic Athletics.
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