February 16, 2019
BELLEVUE, Neb. – Dakota State (S.D.) jumped to a 4-0 early lead Saturday afternoon with Bellevue (Neb.) in the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) women's basketball regular-season finale at Gordon Lozier Center. The Bruins shot 52.3 percent overall from the field, rolling past Lady T's 83-45.
Dakota State wrapped up their regular-season schedule with an overall record of 4-24 and 3-11 record in league play. Bellevue, receiving votes in the latest NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, lifted their overall record to 20-9 and clinched a share of the league title with Mayville State (N.D.) with 11-3 record.
The Lady T's shut down the Bruins for the first three-plus minutes. Jessi Giles made a basket to give DSU its first lead at 2-0 with 9:46 on the clock. She added her second field goal of the game to extend Dakota State's lead 4-0 with 7:15 left in the first period.
BU went on a 12-3 scoring tear to overtake a 12-7 lead after a 3-point field goal by Shayla Dean with 5:34 left in the first quarter.
Bellevue sprinted to a 25-12 lead after the first quarter. The Bruins widen their lead to 30-12 with 8:25 remaining in the second period.
The Bruins led 43-30 by halftime, thanks to their blazing 54.5 percent field goal shooting in the first-half (18-of-33). The Lady T's were held to 10-of-28 field goal shooting (35.7 percent.
BU outscored DSU 22-2 in the third period to balloon their lead to 65-32. The Lady T's did not make a field goal in the first ten minutes of the second-half, nailing down a pair of free-throws by Giles with 1:11 left in the third quarter (DSU trailed 63-32).
Bellevue maintained control for the rest of the game, securing the victory.
Giles led the Lady T's with 13 points. Olivia Breske and McKenzie Hermanson each added six points off the bench. Alexis Robson scored five points.
Taylor Volesky, Kelley Criddle and Breske each collected six rebounds for DSU. Robson and Hermanson each dished out three assists. Cassie Hand stole the ball twice. Volesky registered two blocked shots.
Jamie Winkler paced the Bruins with a game-high 21 points on her 9-of-13 field goal shooting (3-of-5 3-pointers). Elexis Martinez added 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Dean had 11 points. Dean and Winkler each dished out five assists. Dean stole the ball five times. Faith Ross registered three blocks.
Bellevue went 34-of-65 from the field and held Dakota State to 16-of-52 field goals (30.8 percent). The Bruins were 7-of-15 3-pointers while the Lady T's converted 5-of-20 3-pointers.
BU made 8-of-12 free-throws (66.7 percent). DSU was 8-of-10 from the free-throw line.
The Lady T's outrebounded the Bruins 37-31 in the game. Bellevue recorded 20 steals compared to Dakota State six steals.
Both teams will play again on Tuesday in the opening round of the North Star Athletic Association women's basketball conference postseason tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Gordon Lozier Center.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
