January 15, 2022

PHOTO GALLERY - Photos credit by Cody Welu and Karen Giles

MADISON, S.D. – Nationally-ranked Dakota State (S.D.) shook off their slow start in the opening quarter Saturday late afternoon, earning their 19th straight North Star Athletic Association women's basketball regular-season contest with an 82-61 victory at DSU Fieldhouse.  It was the third annual Ag Ball festivities, a way of showing our appreciation to one of the most economic groups (agriculture) in our area.

Dakota State, ranked No. 21 in the latest NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, extended their winning streak to four games.  The Trojans raised their overall record to 15-6 and stayed undefeated in conference play with a 5-0 record, holding a one-game lead over Viterbo (Wis.) in the NSAA women's basketball standings.

The Trojans earned their 26th straight victory against members of the North Star, including non-conference postseason contests dating back to last season.  DSU also won their 20th straight home game versus NSAA opponents (including non-conference and postseason) since 2019-20 season.

Presentation fell to 4-12 overall record and 1-3 NSAA conference record. 

DSU continues their home stand next weekend as they conclude their first half portion of the conference schedule.  The Trojans host Waldorf (Iowa) on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Viterbo next Saturday at 3 p.m.

The Saints stay on the road next weekend, visiting Dickinson State (N.D.) Friday and Valley City State (N.D.) next Saturday.

(21) Dakota State (S.D.) 82, Presentation (S.D.) 61 – FINAL

• Presentation opened the game with an 8-2 lead, capped a lay-up by Brittiney Seymour (assisted by Jordan Kulczyk) with six minutes, seven seconds on the clock.
• Dakota State erupted for 13 straight points to grab a 15-8 lead after a 3-pointer by Lilli Mackley (assisted by Elsie Aslesen) with 2:28 left in the first quarter.
• Jessi Giles closed the first quarter with a layup to balloon the Trojans' lead to 19-10.
• Both teams struggled from the field in the first ten minutes of the game, with DSU shooting 37.5 percent (6-of-16 field goals) compared to PC 35.7 percent (5-of-14 field goals).
• DSU was red-hot to start the second period by going 6-of-6 field goals – including 3-of-3 from the 3-point arc), sparking a monstrous 16-2 outburst.
• Giles drained a 3-pointer to give The Trojans the biggest lead of the game at 36-12 with 7:08 on the clock in the second.
• Presentation stormed back with an 18-3 surge, highlighted by three consecutive 3-pointers from Al Morones.  Morones capped the scoring run with a basket with 1:34 left in the second quarter, cutting the Trojans' lead into single digit at 39-30.
• DSU closed the first half with a 6-0 run, ending with a basket by Savannah Walsdorf for 45-30 lead.
• Dakota State outscored Presentation 26-20 in the second quarter.  DSU was 9-of-16 from the field, while PC was 8-of-13 field goals in the final ten minutes of the first half.
• The Trojans maintained their double-digit lead for the rest of the game. 
• DSU outscored PC 20-17 in the third quarter to hold a 65-47 lead.  The Trojans also outscored the Saints 17-14 in the final quarter to secure the victory.
• Presentation shot 50 percent in the second half (12-of-24 field goals) compared to Dakota State 47.1 percent (16-of-34 field goals).
• Eleven different players scored in the game for the Trojans.  Walsdorf and Giles each had 15 points.  Shaylee DeBeer scored eight points off the bench.  Aslesen, Ashlyn Macdonald, and Angela Slattery each scored seven points.  Macdonald collected six rebounds. 
• Courtney Menning scored eight points and stole a season-high six times for DSU.  Lexi Robson and Menning each contributed five assists.  Mackley recorded four steals. 
• Morones paced the Saints with a game-high 19 points off the bench.  She was 7-of-14 from the field, including 4-of-6 from the 3-point arc.  Seymour posted a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.  She registered four blocked shots.
• Emma Ogitchia added 10 points and dished out a game-high seven assists for Presentation.  Kulczyk had nine points and four assists.
• Presentation shot 49 percent overall from the field (25-of-51 field goals), while Dakota State was 47 percent (31-of-66 field goals).  The Trojans hit 9-of-26 3-pointers compared to the Saints 5-of-11 3-pointers.
• DSU converted 11-of-15 free-throws.  PC was 6-of-10 free-throws.
• The Saints committed 36 turnovers in the game, with 27 steals coming from the Trojans.  The Trojans outscored PC 39-13 in points off turnovers and 17-4 in transition points.
• Dakota State outrebounded Presentation 32-31. 

	Jessi Giles DSU Women's Basketball All-Time Scoring Leader
	Ag Ball Sponsors Recognition

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director