November 10, 2018

Photos credit by Karen Giles

McPHERSON, Kan. – A total of four ties and 12 lead changes with lead no bigger than seven points by both teams were recorded during the women's basketball non-conference clash between Dakota State (S.D.) and McPherson (Kan.) Saturday afternoon at McPherson Sports Center.  The Bulldogs held off the Lady T's 62-58 to remain undefeated in five games this season.

Dakota State fell short for their first win of the season, falling to 0-5 overall record.  McPherson, a member of Kansas Athletic Collegiate Conference, lifted the overall record to 5-0.

After McPherson opened up with a 2-0 lead, Alexis Robson and McKenzie Hermanson each hit a 3-pointer to give DSU a 6-2 lead with five minutes and fifty-two seconds on the clock in the first quarter.

With Lady T's leading 10-8, the Bulldogs held DSU scoreless in the final 1:55 of the first period.  McPherson closed with a 7-0 run to earn a 17-10 lead, including a 3-pointer by Taylor Osborn with no time left.

Dakota State kicked off the second quarter by going 3-of-3 from the field as part of their 11-0 run to regain their lead.  Hermanson completed a 4-point play to give Lady T's a 21-17 lead with 6:54 to go before intermission.

Down 24-23, the Lady T's used a 7-0 run with five points from Robson and two points from Jessi Giles to take a 31-24 lead with less than three minutes to go in the second period.

DSU held a 32-28 halftime advantage, thanks to 22-11 outburst over MCP in the second quarter.

Dakota State shot 40.7 percent from the field (11-of-27) in the first twenty minutes of the game compared.  McPherson was held to 31.3 percent from the field (10-of-32).   

The Lady T's and Bulldogs went back and forth in the third quarter with five lead changes and a tie.  A free-throw by Brittni Harlow gave the Bulldogs a slim 43-42 advantage by the end of the third period.

Giles nailed down a 3-pointer as the Lady T's knotted the game for the fourth time at 49-49 with 5:09 remaining.  The Bulldogs went on a 5-1 scoring run to widen their lead to 55-50 with 4:07 to go.

McPherson committed a technical foul with 3:17 remaining as Ashlyn Macdonald made both free-throws as DSU trimmed their deficit to 55-52.  She added a free-throw as the Lady T's trailed 55-53.

Dakota State could get no closer than one point after Giles hit a free-throw with 3:01 left (DSU trailed 55-54).

Trailing 60-56, Hermanson made a basket with less than 15 seconds to go as the Lady T's cut Bulldogs' lead to 60-58.  After pair of free-throw misses by MCP's Asya Tims, the Bulldogs grabbed the rebound by Brooke Deluca and was fouled.  She secured the game by making both free-throws with less than 10 seconds to go.

McPherson outscored Dakota State 19-16 in the final quarter. 

The Lady T's were held to 22.6 percent from the field in the second-half (7-of-31 field goals).  The Bulldogs were 45.8 percent from the field (11-of-24 field goals).

Robson paced the Lady T's with 13 points and stole the ball four times.  Giles and Hermanson each added 10 points.  Macdonald tallied eight points.

Giles dished out a game-high six assists for DSU.  She pulled down eight rebounds.  Cassie Hand produced three assists.  Macdonald had six rebounds.

Tims led the Bulldogs with 16 points on her 7-of-8 field goal shooting.  Brooke DeLuca added 10 points.  Brittany Roberts had nine points and ten rebounds.  Danielle Holt had 11 rebounds.

Both teams struggled from the field, shooting less than 40 percent.  McPherson shot 37.5 percent overall (21-of-56) and 5-of-14 from the 3-point line.  Dakota State was 31 percent (18-of-58 field goals) and 7-of-23 3-pointers.

MCP converted 15-of-30 free-throws (50 percent), while DSU was 15-of-25 from the free-throw line (60 percent).

The Lady T's had a slight rebounding edge over the Bulldogs (43-42).  DSU's bench outscored MCP's bench 23-17.

Dakota State stays on the road Tuesday evening, seeking for their first win of the season.  DSU visits Trinity Bible (N.D.) in a non-conference action at Ray Ulmer Fieldhouse.  Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. in Ellendale, N.D.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director