December 19, 2017
MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) faced a nationally-ranked team for the second straight game – fourth time this month – Tuesday evening at DSU Fieldhouse. The Lady T's battled with long-time rival No. 9-ranked Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.), where the Tigers pulled away late in the second-half for a 95-74 non-conference victory.
DSU fell to 5-11 overall record. DWU lifted their overall record to 12-2.
The Lady T's took the first lead of the game at 2-0 after a basket by Britley Plautz with 9 minute, 42 seconds on the clock. The Tigers then scored five straight points to earn a 5-2 lead with 7:41 left in the first-period.
DSU's Kennedy Wagner nailed down a pair of free-throws with less than five seconds before the end of the first quarter, trimming Tigers' lead to 19-15. Dakota State was 5-of-11 from the field (45.5 percent) while Dakota Wesleyan was 8-of-23 field goals (34.8 percent).
DWU outscored DSU 11-2 in second-chance points in the first ten minutes of the game.
After a pair of free-throws by Lady T Cassie Jones to reduce DWU's lead to 19-17, the Tigers answered with a 20-8 scoring run to post the biggest lead of the first-half at 39-25 with less than two minutes to go before halftime.
Plautz made a basket with 38 seconds remaining as Lady T's trailed 41-31 by intermission. DSU was 9-of-22 from the field (40.9 percent) while DWU shot 17-of-43 field goals (39.5 percent). The Tigers drained 7 3-pointers in 15 attempts in the first-half compared to DSU 2-of-4 3-pointers. DSU converted 11-of-16 free-throws while DWU did not attempt a free-throw in the first-half.
DWU opened up with a 12-point lead at 43-31 to kick off the third quarter after a basket by Ashley Bray with 8:23 on the clock.
Wagner completed a 3-point play as part of DSU's 14-5 scoring run that saw DWU's lead shrink to 48-45 with 5:38 remaining in the third period.
The Tigers would outscored the Lady T's 20-10 in the final 5:24 of the third quarter to build up a 68-55 lead.
Dakota State shot a blazing 66.7 percent from the field (10-of-15) in the third period compared to Dakota Wesleyan 57.1 percent from the field (8-of-14 field goals). The Tigers were 4-of-6 from the 3-point arc while The Lady T's were 1-of-4 from the 3-point line.
DSU could get no closer than 11 points on two different occasions in the early fourth quarter – 68-57 after a field goal by Kelley Criddle with 9:03 left and 70-59 after a basket by Plautz with less than eight minutes to go.
DWU maintained their double-digit lead for the rest of the game, outscoring DSU 27-19 in the fourth quarter.
Four different Lady T's scored in double digits, led by Wagner with 15 points. She was 7-of-9 from the free-throw line. Plautz added 14 points on her 7-of-12 field goals. Lindsey Vogl and Jamie Tebben each tallied 11 points. Tebben was perfect 3-of-3 from the field and converted 4-of-6 free-throws. Cassie Jones scored eight points.
Plautz pulled down nine rebounds and recorded two blocks for Dakota State. Raven Patton added six rebounds. Alexis Evans had two blocked shots.
Wagner dished out four assists for the Lady T's. Shelby Vogel and Tebben each added two assists. Plautz, Wagner and Vogel each had a steal.
Amber Bray poured in a game-high 41 points for the Tigers. She was 13-of-19 from the field, including 8-of-11 from the 3-point line and made 7-of-8 free-throws. Sarah Carr posted a double-double of 17 points (5-of-6 field goals and 5-of-5 free-throws) and 12 rebounds. Ashley Bray and Jessica Mieras each added seven points.
Chesney Nagel tallied 11 points, produced 9 assists and collected 6 rebounds for DWU. Mieras had eight rebounds. Amber Bray had six rebounds, two blocks and stole the ball twice.
Dakota State shot the ball well in the game, shooting 50 percent overall from the field (25-of-50). Dakota Wesleyan was 40.5 percent from the field (30-of-74 field goals).
The Tigers drained 13 3-pointers in 24 attempts (54.2 percent) compared to the Lady T's 4-of-12 3-pointers (33.3 percent).
Both teams went to the free-throw 28 times in the game. DWU made 22 free-throws (78.6 percent), while DSU converted 20 free-throws (71.4 percent).
Dakota Wesleyan outrebounded Dakota State 44-31 in the game. The Tigers outscored the Lady T's 16-10 in points off turnovers and 22-8 in second-chance points.
DSU outscored DWU 32-30 inside the paint and 20-11 in bench points.
Dakota State steps aside their regular-season play next week. The Lady T's return back to action after Christmas break as they visit NCAA Division I North Dakota State in an exhibition game on Friday, Dec. 29. Tip-off is slated to start at 7 p.m. at Scheels Center in Fargo, N.D. The game also can be seen live on Midco Sports Network.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
