November 9, 2019

Photos credits by Donald Weidler

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) used its balanced scoring offense attack with 11 players scoring at least two points and producing at least an assist, holding off McPherson (Kan.) 95-83 Saturday afternoon at DSU Fieldhouse.

The Trojans ended its four-game losing skid, earning its first win of the season (1-4 overall record).  McPherson, a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, played its first-ever game at DSU Fieldhouse and fell to 4-2 overall record.

Dakota State stays home Tuesday evening, hosting Trinity Bible (N.D.) at DSU Fieldhouse.  Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Dakota State (S.D.) 95, McPherson (Kan.) 83 – FINAL

• McPherson committed turnovers on three straight possession, followed by a missed field goal to allow Dakota State to open the game with a 7-0 lead with eight minutes, twenty-seven seconds on the clock.  The Trojans were 3-of-4 from the field during the scoring stretch, with four points scored from Olivia Breske and a 3-pointer by Jessi Giles.
• The Bulldogs rallied back to knot the game at 14-14 after a 14-7 run after a free-throw by Britney Jarvis with 4:18 left in the first quarter.
• Holding a slim 22-21 lead, the Trojans went on a 7-0 scoring in the final 1:42 to extend their lead to 29-21.  Morgan Koepsell ended the first period with a basket (assisted by Savannah Walsdorf). 
• Both teams shot well above 60 percent from the field in the first ten minutes of the game.  The Trojans were 12-of-18 from the field (66.7 percent), including 5-of-9 from the 3-point line.  The Bulldogs shot 64.3 percent (9-of-14 field goals) and 2-of-4 3-pointers.
• McPherson kicked off the second quarter with a 12-2 scoring run to earn a 33-31 lead after a basket by Brittany Roberts with 5:18 on the clock.  Lindsey Vogl answered with a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, giving DSU a 34-33 lead with 5:04 left in the second.
• With DSU leading 41-35, the Bulldogs closed the second quarter with an 8-1 run to grab a slim 43-42 halftime edge.  McPherson outscored Dakota State 22-13 in the second quarter.
• The Bulldogs was 52.9 percent from the field (18-of-34) in the first-half.  The Trojans were 44.1 percent (15-of-34 field goals) and converted 7-of-17 3-pointers in the first twenty minutes of the game.
• After falling behind by six points at 48-42, The Trojans used a 9-0 outburst with a 3-pointer by Vogl followed by four straight points by Koepsell and a basket by Walsdorf.  The Trojans led 51-48 with 6:05 left in the third period.
• Trailing 57-53, Dakota State went on a 17-6 scoring run in the final 3:27 to earn a 70-63 lead over McPherson.  The Trojans shot a blazing 52.9 percent from the field (9-of-17) and 4-of-7 from the 3-point line while holding the Bulldogs to 9-of-23 field goals (39.1 percent).  DSU outscored the Bulldogs 28-20 in the third period.
• Sidney Fick hit a pair of free-throws to give Trojans its first double-digit lead of the game at 73-63 with 9:13 remaining in the game.
• Dakota State maintained control for the rest of the game.  The Bulldogs could not get no closer than five points at 79-74 with 6:07 left. 
• A 3-pointer by Walsdorf (assisted by Ashlyn Macdonald) gave DSU its biggest lead of the game at 87-74 with 4:19 remaining.
• Dakota State secured the game by using a 5-0 run in the final 1:03.  The Trojans outscored the Bulldogs 25-20 in the final quarter.
• Four DSU players scored in double digits, paced by Vogl with 16 points after making four 3-pointers and converted all four free-throw attempts.  Walsdorf scored 15 points off the bench (6-of-11 field goals).
• Koepsell tallied 14 points and pulled down nine rebounds for Dakota State.  She also posted a season-high five blocks.  Giles added 12 points.
• Macdonald and Breske each had nine points for the Trojans.  Fick, Courtney Menning and Lex Evans each had five points.
• Giles, Breske and Evans each pulled down five rebounds for DSU.  Menning stole the ball four times.  Fick, Giles and Macdonald each had three steals.
• Fick produced five assists for the Trojans.  Menning and Walsdorf each added three assists.  Giles, Macdonald and Shaylee DeBeer each had two assists.
• Dakota State produced season-highs in field goals made (29), 3-point field goals made (13), free-throws made (24), assists (23), blocks (9), steals (17) and points scored (95).
• Roberts registered a double-double of 28 points and pulled down 16 rebounds for the Bulldogs.  Kenajah Upchurch added 111 points.  Jarvis had nine points.  Danielle Holt and Elle Gillen each had eight points.  Gillen dished out a game-high eight assists.  Holt, Roberts and Maison Moseley each had three steals.
• Dakota State shot 29-of-63 from the field (46 percent) and 13-of-29 from the 3-point arc (44.8 percent).  McPherson was 46.7 percent from the field (35-of-75) and 5-of-18 3-pointers (27.8 percent).
• The Trojans converted 24-of-35 from the free-throw line (68.6 percent).  The Bulldogs were 8-of-15 free-throws (53.3 percent).
• McPherson had one more rebound than Dakota State (41-40).  The Trojans outscored the Bulldogs 30-20 in points off turnovers and 44-26 in bench points. 

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director