November 1, 2022

Photos credits by DSU sports information interns

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Nationally-ranked Dordt (Iowa) built a 13-point lead after the first quarter Tuesday evening, defeating Dakota State (S.D.) 89-68 at Sanford Pentagon.  It was the season opener for the Trojans, who is starting their 2022-23 season with four straight opponents from the Great Plains Athletic Conference.

Dakota State, receiving votes in the NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll at No. 26, is 0-1 overall record.  Dordt, who is ranked No. 15 in the national preseason poll and advanced to the NAIA's national championship game last season, stayed undefeated with 2-0 overall record.

DSU heads to Seward, Neb. Friday and Saturday to play in the two-day 23rd annual Cattle Classic, hosted by Concordia (Neb.).  The Trojans play Briar Cliff (Iowa) Friday afternoon at 1 p.m.  The tournament is being held at Friedrich Arena.

(15) Dordt (Iowa) 89, (RV) Dakota State (S.D.) 68 – FINAL

• Dakota State and Dordt went through a lead change and a tie through the first four-plus minutes of the game.
• Trailing 8-4, the Trojans answered with four straight points to knot the game at 8-8 after a free-throw by Caitlin Dyer with 5:55 on the clock in the first quarter.
• The Defenders went on a 20-7 scoring surge in the final 5:28 of the first quarter, stretching their lead to 28-15.
• DU shot 54.5 percent from the field in the first ten minutes of the game, making 12 baskets in 22 tries.  DSU was held to 33.3 percent from the field (4-of-12 field goals) and hit 7-of-10 free-throws.
• Elsie Aslesen hit back-to-back baskets to star the second period as the Trojans trimmed their deficit into single digit.  DSU trailed 28-19 with 9:24 on the clock.
• McKenna Klecker ignited Dordt's outburst on the ensuing possession with a 3-pointer and went on a 16-0 scoring run.  Karly Gustafson made a basket with 4:27 to go as DU ballooned to their largest lead to 44-19.
• Dakota State snapped its scoring drought as Sidney Fick hit back-to-back 3-pointers, followed by a free-throw by Dyer and trailed 44-26 with 3:25 to go before halftime.
• Gustafson hit a basket (assisted by Eliana Kuperus) to give the Defenders a 51-32 halftime lead.
• Dordt outscored Dakota State 23-17 in the second period. 
• The Defenders shot 21-of-44 from the field in the first half (47.7 percenter) and held the Trojans to 37 percent (10-of-27 field goals).
• Dordt maintained their double-digit lead for the rest of the game.  The Defenders led between 17- and 23-points lead in the third quarter.
• Gustafson made a basket inside the paint as the third quarter ended (assisted by Bailey Beckman) as the Defenders led 71-50.
• DU was 9-of-19 from the field in the third quarter (47.4 percent) compared to DSU 7-of-18 field goals (38.9 percent).
• Both teams scored 18 points in the fourth quarter as the Defenders secured the victory.
• Dordt shot 17-of-38 from the field in the final twenty minutes (44.7 percent) compared to Dakota State 14-of-33 field goals (42.4 percent).
• Courtney Menning paced the Trojans with 17 points on her 7-of-10 field goals.  She also stole the ball a game-high five times.  She dished out three assists.  Savannah Walsdorf and Aslesen each added eight points.  Angela Slattery scored nine points off the bench.  Miakken Vincent added seven points.
• Aslesen pulled down seven rebounds and registered three blocked shots for DSU.  Walsdorf and Lilli Mackley each had six rebounds.   Fick had six points and two steals. 
• Gustafson posted a double-double of 23 points and collected 10 rebounds for Dordt.  She was 11-of-18 from the field.  Beckman added 18 points and three assists.  Janie Schoonhoven tallied 12 points and six rebounds.  She had two blocks.
• Faith Van Holland had nine points for DU.  Macy Sievers scored eight points and recorded seven rebounds off the bench.  Kleckler had nine points and three assists.
• Dordt shot 46.3 percent from the field (38-of-82 field goals) compared to Dakota State 40 percent (24-of-60 field goals).  The Defenders hit 8-of-18 3-pointers, while the Trojans were 6-of-27 3-point field goals.
• Both teams struggled from the free-throw line, with the Trojans making 14-of-24 free-throws (58.3 percent).  DU was 5-of-9 free-throws (55.6 percent).
• Dordt outrebounded Dakota State 50-35 (17-8 on offensive rebounds).
• The Defenders outscored the Trojans 44-34 inside the paint and 17-8 in second chance points.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director