November 6, 2020

Photo credit by Concordia (Neb.) Sports Information department

SEWARD, Neb. – Dakota State (S.D.) wrapped up their challenging week, facing their third NAIA's 'Top 25' nationally-ranked team in four days.  The Trojans fell short to No. 20-ranked Carroll (Mont.) by the score of 69-65 at Walz Arena in the 21st annual Cattle Classic, hosted by Concordia (Neb.).

Dakota State fell to 2-2 overall record, going 2-1 record this week versus NAIA's Top 25 nationally ranked teams.  Carroll, a member of the Frontier Conference, made their 2020-21 season debut Friday.

The Trojans remains on the road next week, traveling to Bultman Center to take on Northwestern (Iowa) of the Great Plains Athletic Conference.  Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Orange City, Iowa.

(20) Carroll (Mont.) 69, Dakota State (S.D.) 65 – FINAL

• Dakota State and Carroll struggled offensively in the first ten minutes of the game, going through one tie and two lead changes.  The Saints opened with 4-0 lead before Jessi Giles scored five straight points as Trojans earned their first lead with six minutes, thirty-one seconds on the clock (DSU led 5-4).
• The lead was no bigger than four points, as the Saints held a 12-8 lead by the end of the first period.  CC was 5-of-14 from the field (35.7 percent) compared to DSU 33.3 percent (3-of-9 field goals). 
• The Trojans and Saints stayed in a closely tight battle for the majority of the second quarter.  Both teams went through five ties and six lead changes before Carroll closed the period strong.
• Leading 25-24, CC went on to score six straight points in the final 1:37 to widen their lead to 31-24 by halftime.  Jaidyn Lyman hit a basket before the halftime expired.
• Carroll was 13-of-32 from the field (40.6 percent) in the first half.  Dakota State was 8-of-21 field goals (38.1 percent) in the first twenty minutes.
• Dakota State could get no closer than one point at 35-34 after a pair of free-throws by Lexi Robson with 7:17 on the clock in the third.
• CC then went on a 10-2 scoring tear in a span of four minutes to increase their lead to 45-37, capped by a 3-pointer by Emma Madsen with 3:17 left in the third period.
• The Saints led 49-42 after three quarters.  Both teams scored 18 points in the period.
• Sienna Swannack made a field goal to give CC its biggest lead of the game at 59-47 with 5:07 remaining in the game.
• Trailing 62-53 with 3:46 left, Dakota State went on to score seven straight points to cut CC's lead to 62-60 after a 3-pointer by Savannah Walsdorf with 2:11 left.  The Trojans could get no closer for the rest of the way, as the Saints secured the victory.
• DSU outscored Carroll 23-20 in the final quarter.
• The Trojans were 9-of-18 from the field in the second half (50 percent) and converted 17-of-23 free-throws (73.9 percent).  The Saints were 14-of-31 field goals (45.2 percent) and 5-of-8 free-throws (62.5 percent).
• Walsdorf scored 17 points off the bench for Dakota State.  She was 4-of-8 from the field, including 3-of-5 from the 3-point line.  She made 6-of-8 free-throws.  Giles added 16 points (5-of-9 field goals, including perfect 4-of-4 from the 3-point arc and 2-of-2 free-throws).  Walsdorf and Giles each stole the ball twice.
• Elsie Aslesen tallied 10 points and grabbed four rebounds for the Trojans.  Morgan Koepsell had seven points, three rebounds and registered two blocks.  Courtney Menning contributed four assists. 
• Christine Denny posted a double-double of 20 points and pulled down 12 rebounds.  She shot 8-of-17 from the field.  Jamie Pickens scored 12 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished five assists.  Swannack had nine points and four assists.  Lyman stole the ball six times.
• Dakota State shot 43.6 percent overall from the field (17-of-39 field goals) compared to Carroll 42.9 percent (27-of-63 field goals).  The Trojans were 8-of-15 from the 3-point arc (53.3 percent), while the Saints were 5-of-18 3-pointers (0-of-10 in the first twenty minutes of the game, 5-of-8 in the second half).
• DSU converted 23-of-33 free-throws (69.7 percent).  CC was 10-of-14 free-throws (71.4 percent).
• The Saints outrebounded the Trojans 31-27 in the game.  Dakota State outscored Carroll 31-14 in bench points and 11-7 in second chance points.  CC outscored DSU 26-12 in points off turnovers and 26-16 inside the paint.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director