January 8, 2021

Photos credit by Karen Giles

MADISON, S.D. – Holding a slim 22-21 lead after the first period in the North Star Athletic Association women's basketball contest Friday evening at DSU Fieldhouse, Dakota State (S.D.) outscored Valley City State (N.D.) 29-13 in the second quarter and cruised to a 90-57 victory.  The Trojans won their seventh straight game and their ninth win in the last ten games.

DSU, receiving votes in the latest NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, raised their overall record to 11-3 and remained undefeated in North Star conference play with a 3-0 record.  It was the first time since the 2015-16 season that the Trojans started their NSAA conference with a 3-0 record.  Valley City State fell to 2-5 overall record and 1-1 NSAA conference record.

Dakota State defeated Valley City State for the second time this season, defeating the Vikings 94-52 last November in the Dakota Clash at DSU Fieldhouse.

The Trojans conclude their three-game home stand Saturday afternoon, hosting Dickinson State (N.D.).  Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.  Valley City State travels to Bellevue (Neb.) on the same day for another NSAA action, tipping off at 3 p.m. at Gordon Lozier Center.

(RV) Dakota State (S.D.) 90, Valley City State (N.D.) 57

• Valley City State opened the game by making five consecutive baskets and went 6-of-8 from the field, gaining a 13-6 lead over the Trojans with five minutes and twenty-five seconds on the clock.
• Maara Nelson scored 10 points during VCSU's opening run, going 5-of-5 from the field. 
• Dakota State answered back with a 7-0 scoring run, capped by Morgan Koepsell's 3-pointer to tie the game at 13-13 with 3:48 remaining in the first period.
• Dani Schwanke drained a 3-pointer as the Vikings regained their lead to 21-20.  DSU's Elsie Aslesen answered back with a lay-up for a 22-21 lead by the end of first quarter.
• VCSU shot a blazing 64.3 percent from the field (9-of-14 field goals) in the first ten minutes of the game.  DSU was 50 percent from the field (10-of-20 field goals).
• Knotted at 28-28, Cheylee Nagel and Jessi Giles hit back-to-back 3-pointer followed by Koepsell's basket to spark DSU's 8-0 scoring run for a 36-28 lead with 4:31 remaining before intermission.
• Dakota State closed the second quarter with a 13-4 outburst, thanks to their six straight made field goals.  Courtney Menning nailed down a basket to give Trojans a 51-34 halftime advantage over the Vikings.
• DSU was 52.5 percent from the field (21-of-40 field goals) in the first half compared to VCSU 51.7 percent (15-of-29 field goals). 
• The Trojans maintained their double-digit lead for the rest of the game.  The Vikings could get no closer than 14 points after a 3-pointer by Emma Nielsen with 9:24 left in the third quarter (DSU led 51-37).
• DSU outscored VCSU 23-15 in the third quarter and 16-8 in the fourth quarter.
• Dakota State recorded its biggest lead of the game at 90-52 with less than three minutes left after a basket by Lex Evans (assisted by Shaylee DeBeer).
• DSU was 41.9 percent from the field in the second half (13-of-31 field goals) and held VCSU to 27.6 percent (8-of-29 field goals).
• Four Trojan players scored in double digits, paced by Jessi Giles with 19 points.  She was 5-of-10 from the 3-point arc.  Savannah Walsdorf added 13 points and pulled down a season-high eight rebounds. 
• Nagel scored a season-high 11 points off the bench for Dakota State.  She also had four rebounds, two assists and stole the ball twice.  DeBeer scored seven points and tied her career-high eight assists.  Koepsell had nine points.  Giles and Menning each had two steals.  Morgan Huber had eight points.
• Nelson led the Vikings with 15 points (7-of-11 field goals).  Schwanke added 10 points and five rebounds.  Adriana Torres had nine points.  Allie Critchley grabbed seven rebounds.
• DSU shot 47.9 percent overall from the field (34-of-71 field goals) compared to VCSU 39.7 percent (23-of-58 field goals).  The Trojans hit 11 3-pointers in 29 tries (37.9 percent), while the Vikings were 6-of-25 3-pointers (24 percent).
• Dakota State converted 11-of-15 free-throws (73.3 percent).  Valley City State was 5-of-8 from the free-throw line (62.5 percent). 
• The Trojans outrebounded the Vikings 43-32, including 13-5 on offensive rebounds.  DSU outscored VCSU 17-0 on second chance points.
• Dakota State outscored Valley City State 20-9 in points off turnovers, 42-18 inside the paint and 41-15 in bench points.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director