December 29, 2015

SALINA, Kan. – Trailing 51-47 before heading into the final quarter Tuesday afternoon in the RibCrib-Kansas Wesleyan Women's Basketball Classic at Mabee Arena, Dakota State (S.D.) outscored McPherson (Kan.) 24-9 for a 71-60 victory.  The Lady T's won their second straight game, thanks to a sizzling 53.8 percent shooting in the second-half.

Dakota State raised their overall record to 9-5.  McPherson, a member of Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC), fell to 5-11 overall record.

The Lady T's quickly opened up the game with a 6-0 lead from three different scorers – Courtney Hulstein, Sharee Galbraith and Madison Walford in the first 1 minute, 49 seconds of the game.  The Bulldogs answered back with an 8-0 scoring run to grab their first lead of the game at 8-6 with 5:43 left in the first quarter.

MC continued their scoring run, extending their lead to 21-11 with 1:36 left in the opening quarter.  BreeAna Olson drained a 3-pointer to trim the Bulldogs lead to 21-14 by the end of the first quarter.

Down 25-18 in the second quarter, Dakota State used a strong close with a 14-2 outburst for a 32-28 halftime lead.  The Lady T's outscored MC 18-7 in the second period.

A three-point play by Hulstein and a basket by Kendra Lindblad ballooned DSU's lead to 37-28 to kick off the third quarter.  The Bulldogs responded with an 11-2 to knot the game at 39-39 with less than six minutes to go in the third period.

With DSU leading 47-46, the Bulldogs scored the five points in the final 1:01 of the third quarter to overtake a 51-47 lead.  McPherson outscored Dakota State 23-15 in the first ten minutes of the second-half.

The Lady T's used another fast opening start, a 6-0 run to regain their lead at 53-51 after a 3-pointer by Galbraith with 8:26 remaining in the game.

McPherson held their last lead of the game at 54-53 with 7:25 left before Dakota State closed out the game strong.  The Lady T's exploded for 18 points in the final 7:18, while holding the Bulldogs to just six points.

MC was held scoreless in the last 2:20 of the game, securing the victory for DSU.

Galbraith led the Lady T's with 22 points on her 8-of-14 field goal shooting and converted all five free-throw attempts.  Olson added 14 points (5-of-7 field goals, including 2-of-2 from the 3-point line).  Cassie Jones scored nine points off the bench by going perfect 3-of-3 from the field (1-of-1 3-pointer) and 2-of-2 free-throws.  Hulstein had eight points.  Walford and Lindblad each tallied six points.

Galbraith pulled down eight rebounds for Dakota State.  Hulstein added six rebounds.  Walford had two blocked shots.  Galbraith, Lindblad and Hulstein each recorded a block.

Lindblad tied her career-high seven assists for DSU.  Kennedy Wagner produced five assists.

Olson stole the ball four times for the Lady T's.  Jones added three steals. 

Bailey Brown tallied 23 points for the Bulldogs (7-of-13 field goals, 4-of-5 3-pointers and 5-of-5 free-throws).  Ashton and Amanda Allen each added 10 points.

Bruner grabbed seven rebounds and recorded two blocked shots for MC.  Allen had six rebounds. 

Regan McClellan led McPherson with five assists.  Brown had five steals, while McClellan added four steals.

The Lady T's shot 46.3 percent overall from the field, converting 25 baskets in 54 attempts.  The Bulldogs were 39.3 percent from the field (22-of-56).  Both teams made five 3-pointers in the game.

DSU was 16-of-20 free-throws (80 percent) compared to MC 11-of-18 free-throws (61.1 percent).

McPherson outrebounded Dakota State 33-31 in the game.

The game featured five ties and 12 lead changes.

Dakota State concludes the RibCrib-Kansas Wesleyan Women's Basketball Classic Wednesday afternoon, facing another foe from KCAC conference and host-team Kansas Wesleyan.  Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. at Mabee Arena in Salina, Kan.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director