November 6, 2015

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The Dakota State University Lady T's played their second game in four days at the De Witt Gymnasium, playing NAIA Division I Graceland (Iowa) on the first day of the Holiday Inn Express Classic hosted by Dordt (Iowa).  The Lady T's shot a blazing 51.5 percent shooting from the field, cruising to a 91-76 victory over the Yellow Jackets.

Dakota State won their second straight game to improve their overall record to 3-1, their best start since 2007-08 when the Lady T's opened up that season with five consecutive victories.  Graceland was playing their season opener.

After three ties and six lead changes in the opening quarter, DSU broke up the 17-17 lead into a 24-18 leading after closing the quarter with a 7-1 scoring spurt. 

The Yellow Jackets trimmed the Lady T's within one point at 38-37 with less than two minutes before halftime.  Dakota State used another strong closing run after scoring the last seven points of the first-half for a 45-37 intermission lead.

DSU shot 51.4 percent from the field in the first twenty minutes of the game (19-of-37) while holding GU to 35.1 percent shooting (13-of-37).

The Yellow Jackets opened the third quarter with a 5-2 run to cut DSU's lead to 47-42 with 8:13 on clock.  From there, the Lady T's went on to score eight straight points and maintained their double-digit lead for the majority of the third quarter.

DSU outscored GU 28-20 in the third quarter, extending Lady T's to 73-57 before the final quarter.

Dakota State recorded their biggest lead of the game at 76-57 with 7:41 left after BreeAna Olson made a shot inside the paint.

Graceland cut down DSU's lead to 82-74 with 2:11 left, but the Lady T's closed out the game with a 9-2 run.

DSU shot a sizzling 54.3 percent from the field (19-of-35) in the second-half.  GU was held to 39.5 percent shooting (15-of-38).

Five Lady T's scored in double digits, while a pair of players posted double-double in the game.  Sharee Galbraith led DSU with 17 points and pulled down 12 rebounds.  Kelsey Little added 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Kendra Lindblad scored 15 points off the bench after shooting 7-of-8 from the field for DSU.  Courtney Hulstein and Kelley Criddle both earned 10 points.  Madison Walford had eight points.  Olson recorded seven points.

Walford earned six boards for the Lady T's.  Galbraith had four blocked shots in the game.  Walford, Lindblad and Jordan Hansen each registered a block.

Lindblad produced six assists for DSU.  Walford and Hansen each added four assists.  Galbraith stole the ball four times.  Olson and Hansen each had three steals.

Sydney Vaughn scored a game-high 26 points and earned a double-double with 10 rebounds for the Yellow Jackets.  Amber Quick added nine points.  Keidra Sears had six assists and three steals.

Dakota State made 38 baskets in 72 attempts in the game, while holding Graceland to 37.3 percent shooting from the field (28-of-75). 

The Lady T's were 14-of-17 from the free-throw line (82.4 percent).  The Yellow jackets struggled at the free-throw line, converting 14 free-throws in 23 attempts (60.9 percent).

DSU outrebounded GU 46-41. 

Dakota State plays their third game at De Witt Gymnasium Saturday as they face Northwest (Wash.).  Tip-off is set for 12 noon on the campus of Dordt College.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director