December 4, 2021

Photos credit by Karen Giles

MADISON, S.D. – No. 18 Dakota State (S.D.) and Bellevue (Neb.) battled back-and-forth in the North Star Athletic Association women's basketball conference season opener Saturday afternoon at DSU Fieldhouse.  Both teams went through 12 ties and seven lead changes, with the lead no greater than six points throughout the game.  The Trojans needed overtime to held off the Bruins 80-72 (only biggest lead of the game by the Trojans) in the rematch of last year's NSAA women's basketball postseason tournament's championship game (ironically, the identical score won by the Trojans at DSU Fieldhouse on Feb. 27, 2021).

Dakota State extended their season-high winning streak to six games, raising their overall record to 10-3 and 1-0 NSAA conference record.  Bellevue fell to 4-7 overall record and 0-1 NSAA conference.  The Trojans had won the last four meetings in the series meeting with the Bruins.

DSU recorded its 25th victory in the last 26 home games at DSU Fieldhouse, dating back to the 2019-20 season.  The Trojans also won their 19th consecutive victory at home versus NSAA opponents since 2019-20. 

Dakota State earned its 21st straight victory over North Star foes since 2020-21 season.

The Trojans take a break until Thursday, Dec. 16 as they conclude their four-game home stand.  Dakota State return to action after their final examinations, hosting No. 12 Northwestern (Iowa) in the battle of NAIA's Top 25 nationally ranked teams.  Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse.

Bellevue stays on the road Wednesday evening for a non-conference contest at Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.).  The game is set for 6 p.m. at Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.

(18) Dakota State (S.D.) 80, Bellevue (Neb.) 72 – FINAL/OT

• Faith Ross and Laura Jurek each hit a 3-pointer to open a 6-0 lead for Bellevue in the first two minutes and forty-four seconds of the game.
• The Trojans ended its scoring drought with a layup by Jessi Giles with 7:03 on the clock (DSU trailed 6-2).
• Giles drained back-to-back 3-pointers to give Dakota State its first lead at 8-6 with 4:33 to go in the first.
• Bellevue led 13-10 by the end of the first quarter.  DSU shot 36.4 percent from the field (4-of-11 field goals) compared to BU 31.3 percent (5-of-16 field goals).
• A total of six times and three lead changes were recorded in the second period.  The lead was no greater than three points by the Trojans (16-13 after a 3-pointer by Cheylee Nagel with 7:48 on the clock and 26-23 after a pair of free-throws by Savannah Walsdorf with less than a minute before intermission).
• Lexi Allen drained a 3-pointer as the Bruins tied up the game at 28-28 with just 30 seconds left before halftime. 
• DSU outscored BU 18-15 in the second quarter.
• Both teams struggled from the field, shooting below 40 percent in the first half.  The Trojans shot 39.1 percent (9-fo-23 field goals) compared to the Bruins 34.4 percent (11-of-32 field goals).
• Walsdorf kicked off the third period by scoring five straight points as DSU stretched its lead to 33-28 with 7:43 on the clock.
• Trailing 43-39, the Bruins closed the third quarter with an 8-2 run capped by Asha Scott's basket.  Bellevue led 47-45 by the end of the third period.
• Dakota State used another fast start in the fourth quarter.  The Trojans scored seven straight points, capped by Courtney Menning's basket for a 52-47 lead with 8:30 left.
• Delaney VanBlaricon hit back-to-back baskets as the Bruins rallied to record the tenth tie of the game at 60-60 with 2:44 left.
• Menning nailed down a pair of free-throws to extend DSU's lead to 65-62 with 23.4 seconds to go.
• Ross drained a 3-pointer on the following possession as the Bruins knotted the game at 65-65 with 10.8 seconds remaining.
• The Trojans were unable convert the scoring opportunity on the ensuing possession as the Bruins regained the ball, calling a timeout with 1.8 seconds to go.
• Elexis Martinez missed a potential game-winning shot as time expired as the ball hit the rim and back rattled back, extending the game into extra period.
• Walsdorf opened the overtime period with a field goal to give DSU a 67-65 lead (4:35 on the clock).
• The Bruins answered on the next possession for the 12th tie of the game at 67-67 with a basket by Martinez.
• Dakota State held Bellevue scoreless for three minutes, sparking a 7-0 outburst.  Elsie Aslesen hit a 3-pointer as the Trojans ballooned their lead to 76-69 with 1:34 left.
• Bellevue could get no closer than five points at 76-71 (1:14 remaining).
• Walsdorf made a lay-up with less than 15 seconds left in overtime, giving the Trojans its largest lead of the game at 80-72.
• Dakota State outscored Bellevue 15-7 in overtime, thanks to their 5-of-6 field goals and 4-of-6 free-throws.  The Bruins were held to 3-of-9 field goals and 1-of-5 from the free-throw line.
• Walsdorf posted a double-double, producing game-highs of 22 points and 11 rebounds (season-high) for Dakota State.  She was 7-of-13 from the field, 4-of-8 from the 3-point arc and converted all four free-throw attempts.
• Giles added 21 points and four rebounds for DSU.  Aslesen scored 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds.  She had three blocked shots.  Menning tallied eight points and five rebounds. 
• Ashlyn Macdonald scored seven points and collected 10 rebounds (tied for season high) off the bench for the Trojans.  Lexi Robson dished out five assists.  Walsdorf and Macdonald each stole the ball three times.
• Four Bellevue players scored in double digits, paced by VanBlaricon with 15 points off the bench.  She was 7-of-11 from the field.  Martinez added 14 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
• Scott scored 13 points for the Bruins.  Ross added 12 points and contributed five assists.  She stole the ball three times.  Laura Jurek had seven points and four rebounds. 
• Dakota State shot 42.2 percent overall from the field (27-of-64 field goals) compared to Bellevue 39.7 percent (29-of-73 field goals).  The Trojans hit 8-of-25 3-pointers (32 percent), while the Bruins were 7-of-22 3-pointers (31.8 percent).
• The Trojans converted 18-of-20 free-throws (90 percent) in the game.  The Bruins struggled from the free-throw line by going 7-of-13 (53.8 percent).
• DSU grabbed a season-high 52 rebounds, collecting 20 more than BU (32 rebounds).  Dakota State outscored Bellevue 17-4 in second chance points.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director