October 26, 2021
PHOTO GALLERY - Photos credits by Cody Welu, Donald Weidler, Karen Giles
MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) never trailed in the women's basketball home opener Tuesday evening, rolling to a 96-38 victory over in-state-rival Mount Marty (S.D.). The Trojans shot a sizzling 55.1 percent in the game, including a blazing 69.7 percent from the field in the final twenty minutes of the game.
Dakota State, who was unanimously picked to win the North Star Athletic Association women's basketball league title last Monday, stayed undefeated with a 2-0 overall record. Mount Marty was playing their season opening game.
The Trojans head to Dubuque, Iowa Friday and Saturday for a two-day Holiday Inn Express Tip-off Classic against a pair of Heart of America Athletic Conference opponents. DSU takes on host-team Clarke (Iowa), who qualified for the NAIA national tournament's final site last spring, on Friday at 5:30 p.m. On Saturday, Dakota State plays William Penn (Iowa) for a 2 p.m. tip-off. The tournament is being played at Kehl Center.
Dakota State (S.D.) 96, Mount Marty (S.D.) 38 – FINAL
- Jessi Giles scored the game's first three points to give Dakota State a 3-0 lead with eight minutes, ten seconds on the clock.
- Mount Marty only closest margin was one point after a basket by Aubrey Twedt with 7:22 remaining in the first quarter (DSU led 3-2).
The Trojans went on a 13-0 scoring tear, capped by steal and lay-up by Angela Slatterly for a 16-3 lead with 4:38 to go in the first period.- A 3-pointer by Elsie Aslesen ballooned DSU's lead to 25-10 near the end of the first quarter.
- Dakota State shot 55.6 percent in the first quarter (10-of-18 field goals) and held Mount Marty to 33.3 percent (4-of-12 field goals).
- DSU maintained its double-digit lead for the rest of the game. The Trojans outscored the Lancers 14-8 in a low scoring affair in the second quarter, extending their lead to 39-18 by halftime.
- Dakota State kicked off the third period by making eight consecutive baskets by four different scorers – Giles, Aslesen, Courtney Menning and Lexi Robson. The Trojans sparked a monstrous 20-0 scoring surge to widen their lead to 59-18 with 6:28 left after Menning's steal followed by a lay-up.
- The Lancers were held to three points in the third quarter, while the Trojans exploded for 35 points to grab a 74-21 lead.
- Dakota State was 14-of-18 from the field (77.8 percent) in the first ten minutes of the second half and held Mount Marty to 1-of-9 field goals (11.1 percent).
A lay-up by Shaylee DeBeer gave DSU's its biggest lead of the game at 93-34 with 2:27 remaining.- DSU outscored MMU 22-17 in the fourth quarter and 57-20 in the second half.
- Four DSU starters scored in the double digits, paced by Giles with 21 points. She was 8-of-13 from the field, including 3-of-5 from the 3-point arc. She also stole the ball seven times, dished out five assists, and grabbed four rebounds.
- DSU's Aslesen also went 8-of-13 from the field for 19 points. She pulled down eight rebounds and registered five blocked shots. Menning tallied 14 points, six assists, and three steals. Robson scored 11 and recorded five steals.
- McKenzie Hermanson scored nine points off the bench after draining three 3-pointers for DSU. DeBeer added eight points and grabbed six rebounds.
- Carlie Wetzel led the Lancers with seven points. Twedt added five points and five rebounds. Macy Kempf scored five points and grabbed six rebounds off the bench. She recorded four blocked shots.
- Dakota State shot 38-of-69 from the field, including 12-of-31 from the 3-point line. Mount Marty was 13-of-44 field goals (29.5 percent) and 3-of-17 from the 3-point arc (17.6 percent).
- MMU struggled at the free-throw line, making 9-of-19 free-throws (47.4 percent). DSU converted 8-of-13 free-throws (61.5 percent).
- Dakota State outrebounded Mount Marty 41-29.
The Trojans stole the ball 20 times compared to the Lancers two steals.- DSU outscored MMU 24-0 in fast-break points, 44-6 in points off turnovers, and 50-12 inside the paint.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
