October 29, 2021

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Clarke (Iowa) converted 14-of-16 free-throws in the final quarter Friday evening, kicking off the two-day Holiday Inn Express Tip-off classic with an 85-68 hard-fought victory over Dakota State (S.D.) in the early battle of NAIA's Top 25 ranked teams.  The tournament was held at Kehl Center.

Dakota State, who is ranked No. 13 in the NAIA preseason coaches' poll, fell to 2-1 overall record.  Clarke, a member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) and No. 19 in the national poll, stayed undefeated with a 2-0 overall record.

The Trojans look to bounce back in the winning column Saturday afternoon, taking on another HAAC opponent.  DSU takes on William Penn (Iowa) with a 3 p.m. tip-off at Kehl Center.

(19) Clarke (Iowa) 85, (13) Dakota State (S.D.) 68 – FINAL

• Both teams battled back and forth in the opening quarter.  Jessi Giles drained a 3-pointer to give DSU a 7-6 lead with six minutes, twelve seconds left in the first quarter.
• Emma Kelchen made a jump shot as the Pride stretched its lead to 16-11 with 1:42 on the clock in the first.
• Clarke led 20-15 after the first quarter.  The Trojans struggled from the field, shooting 27.3 percent (3-of-11 field goals).  DSU was perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line in the first period.
• The Pride shot 66.7 percent in the first ten minutes of the game, converting 8-of-12 field goals.
• CU led as many as seven points during the second quarter before DSU trimmed their deficit by halftime.
• Trailing 32-25, DSU went on an 8-3 scoring run capped by Giles' 3-pointer to cut CU's lead to 35-33 with 1:17 left before halftime.
• The Pride led 37-33 by halftime.  DSU was 7-of-15 from the field (46.7 percent). in the second quarter, including 3-of-5 3-pointers.  CU was 7-of-17 field goals (41.2 percent).
• Mya Merschman hit a 3-pointer to give Pride its first double-digit lead of the game at 51-40 with 2:48 to go in the third period.
• Clarke outscored Dakota State 22-15 in the third quarter, ballooning their lead to 59-48.
• The Trojans could get no closer than four points at 64-60 after Courtney Menning's basket with 5:23 remaining. 
• CU closed the game with a monstrous 21-8 run in the final 4:34 of the game.  The Pride made 11-of-12 free-throws in the final 3:56.
• Giles poured in a season-high 29 points on her 12-of-20 field goals, including 3-of-5 3-pointers, and converted 2-of-2 free-throws for DSU.  Walsdorf added a season-high 23 points on her 7-of-15 field goals and 6-of-7 free-throws.  She grabbed five rebounds and stole the ball twice.  Giles and Walsdorf each dished out two assists.  Menning scored four points for Dakota State. 
• Five Clarke players scored in double digits, led by Kelchen with 25 points.  She was 7-of-11 from the field and made 11-of-16 free-throws.  Taylor Haase scored 15 points off the bench on her 7-of-9 field goals.
• Giana Michels tallied 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists for the Pride.  Tina Ubi scored 13 points.  Merschman scored 12 points off the bench.  Nicole McDermott dished out five assists and grabbed six rebounds.  She stole the ball four times.
• Clarke shot 28-of-55 from the field (50.9 percent) compared to Dakota State 24-of-57 field goals (42.1 percent).  The Trojans drained 7-of-16 3-pointers, while the Pride were held to 3-of-14 free-throws.
• CU converted 26-of-32 free-throws (81.3 percent).  DSU went to the free-throw line 16 times, making 13 free-throws (81.3 percent).
• Clarke outrebounded Dakota State 35-25 in the game.
• The Pride outscored the Trojans 42-30 inside the paint and 18-10 in points off turnovers.  DSU outscored CU 12-6 in second-chance points.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director