December 30, 2016
SALINA, Kan. – McPherson (Kan.) stormed to an 11-0 opening lead and never looked back as they defeated Dakota State (S.D.) 66-50 on the second day of the Kansas Wesleyan Classic at Mabee Arena.
Dakota State fell to 3-12 overall record. McPherson, a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, improved to 8-8 overall record.
The Bulldogs held the Lady T's scoreless for first seven-plus minutes of the game, fueling to an 11-0 lead. Cassie Jones ended DSU's scoring drought with a 3-pointer with 2:55 on the clock in the first period (DSU trailed 11-3).
McPherson held a 15-7 lead after the first period.
The Bulldogs outscored the Lady T's 19-8 in the second quarter to widen their lead to 34-15 by halftime. MC shot 44.4 percent from the field (12-of-27) in the first-half while DSU was 24.1 percent (7-of-29).
Dakota State stormed with a 14-4 scoring run to kick off the second-half, trimming MC's lead down into single digit at 38-29 after a fast-break lay-up by BreeAna Olson with 4:37 on the clock in the third period.
DSU could no closer than nine points on two other occasions in the third quarter – 42-33 with 1:12 left and 44-35 with 48 seconds remaining.
The Lady T's outscored the Bulldogs 20-14 in the third quarter, but McPherson maintained a 48-35 lead.
MC held their double-digit lead for the res to the game, outscoring DSU 18-15 in the final ten minutes of the game.
Olson posted a double-double of 12 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for the Lady T's. Britley Plautz added eight points and earned six boards. Jamie Tebben scored seven points and collected nine rebounds off the bench. Shemika Frazier had eight points and stole the ball three times. Jones and Kennedy Wagner each tallied five points.
Wagner produced four assists in the game for Dakota State. Plautz had five blocked shots.
Victoria Gonzalez scored 16 points off the bench for the Bulldogs. Brooklyn Coe added 13 points. Emma Van Donselaar had 10 points. Cami Richardson had seven points.
Brooke Racette had four assists for MC. Danielle Holt, Racette and Gonzalez each registered five rebounds.
McPherson shot 42.4 percent overall from the field (25-of-59) compared to Dakota State 32.7 percent (18-of-55). The Bulldogs went 6-of-18 3-pointers compared to the Lady T's 2-of-19 3-pointers.
DSU converted 12-of-20 free-throws (60 percent). MC made 10-of-14 free-throws (71.4 percent).
The Lady T's outrebounded the Bulldogs 39-33 in the game.
Dakota State stays on the road as they kick off the 2017 portion of the schedule Wednesday evening. The Lady T's visit their long-time rival and No. 8-ranked Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.). Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
