January 9, 2015

Photos credits by Kaden Huntrods

MITCHELL, S.D. – Nationally-ranked Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) shot 53.4 percent overall from the field Saturday afternoon in a 90-78 non-conference women's basketball victory over Dakota State (S.D.) at the Corn Palace. The Tigers completed a season series sweep over the Lady T's (DWU defeated DSU 65-60 in the first meeting last November at DSU Fieldhouse).

Dakota State fell to 10-7 overall record.  Dakota Wesleyan, ranked No. 5 in the latest NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25, improved to 15-2 overall record.

The Lady T's took the first lead of the game at 3-0 after Courtney Hulstein drained a three-pointer with nine minutes, three seconds on the clock in the opening period.

Knotted at 11-all, the Tigers closed the first quarter with a 10-3 scoring run for a 21-14 lead.

DWU outscored DSU 24-19 in the second quarter to extend their lead to 45-33 by intermission.  Dakota State shot 50 percent in the first twenty minutes of the game (14-of-28) compared to Dakota Wesleyan 48.5 percent (48.5 percent). 

The Tigers were 4-of-7 3-pointers and 9-of-10 free-throws in the first-half, while the Lady T's were 2-of-4 three-pointers and 3-of-5 free-throws.

Dakota State stormed back in the game after starting the third quarter with a 10-4 scoring run to cut Dakota Wesleyan's lead to 49-43 with 8:23 on the clock.

The Tigers regained their double-digit lead at 57-47 with 6:04 remaining in the third period and maintained control for the rest of the game to secure the victory.

DSU could get no closer than seven points at 83-76 after a 3-pointer by Hulstein with 2:29 remaining in the game.

Both teams scored 45 points in the second-half.

Hulstein tied her career-high with 24 points for the Lady T's.  She was 9-of-12 from the field, including 3-of-4 from the 3-point line, and converted all three free-throw attempts.  BreeAna Olson added 17 points (7-of-11 field goal shooting).  Kendra Lindblad had 10 points.

Sharee Galbraith scored eight points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out four assists for DSU.  She recorded three blocked shots, and maintained the sole possession for third most career blocked shots in the Lady T's basketball record book with 156 blocks.  Madison Walford added three blocked shots.

Olson earned five rebounds for Dakota State.  Hulstein and Kennedy Wagner each had four rebounds. 

Hansen produced five assists for DSU.  Wagner added four assists.  Galbraith, Lindblad, Hulstein and Wagner each stole the ball twice.

Five DWU starters scored in double digits, led by Erica Herrold with 25 points (9-of-13 field goals).  Kristin Sabers added 21 points.  Ashley Bray had 19 points.  Amber Bray and Rylie Osthus each scored 11 points. 

Bray collected eight rebounds for the Tigers.  Sabers had six rebounds. 

Osthus dished out six assists for Dakota Wesleyan.  Sabers had five assists and stole the ball four times.

DWU shot 31-of-58 from the field in the game, compared to DSU 28-of-59 (47.5 percent).  Both teams made seven 3-pointers.

The Tigers went to the free-throw line 32 times, making 21 free-throws (65.6 percent).  The Lady T's were 15-of-19 free-throws (78.9 percent).

DWU outrebounded DSU 35-25 in the game.  The Tigers outscored the Lady T's 13-2 in second-chance points.  DSU's bench outscored DWU's bench 15-3.

Dakota State continues their six-game road trip as they return back to North Star Athletic Association conference play Tuesday evening.  The Lady T's travel to Hanson Fieldhouse in Forest City, Iowa to take on Waldorf (Iowa) in the second conference meeting of the season.  Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. in Forest City, Iowa.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director