November 4, 2022

SEWARD, Neb. – Despite trailing by 18 points at halftime Friday afternoon on the first day of the 23rd annual Cattle Classic at Friedrich Arena, Dakota State's (S.D.) second-half surge was not enough as they fell short to Briar Cliff (Iowa) by the score of 85-78.  The Chargers took advantage of converting 20-of-29 free-throws compared to the Trojans 9-of-17 free-throws.

Dakota State fell to 0-2 overall record.  Briar Cliff, a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference, is 1-1 overall record.

The Trojans play the host-team Concordia (Neb.) on the second day of the Cattle Classic.  Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.

Briar Cliff (Iowa) 85, (RV) Dakota State (S.D.) 78 – FINAL

• Elsie Aslesen kicked off the game with a 2-0 lead for Dakota State with nine minutes, forty-seven seconds on the clock (assisted by Courtney Menning).
• Briar Cliff went on a 6-0 scoring tear from three different scorers – Peyton Wingert, Kennedy Benne, and Madelyn Deitchler – to earn a 6-2 lead with 8:09 to go in the first period.
• The Chargers led 25-16 after the first ten minutes, thanks to their 10-of-14 free-throws.  DSU shot 46.7 percent from the field (7-of-15 field goals) and 0-of-2 from the free-throw line.
• Savannah Walsdorf drained a 3-pointer to start the second quarter to trim BCU's lead to 25-19 with 9:24 on the clock.
• Leading 39-28, the Chargers closed the second quarter with a 10-3 run capped by Kaegan Held's jump shot with less than 40 seconds left for a 49-31 lead.
• Briar Cliff outscored Dakota State 24-15 in the second period.  The Chargers were 10-of-17 from the field (58.8 percent) compared to the Trojans 5-of-15 field goals (33.3 percent).
• Trailing 55-37 with 5:57 remaining in the third quarter, Dakota State mounted a comeback to cut their deficit into single digit.  The Trojans used an 18-6 scoring surge to trim BCU's lead to 62-55 after a 3-pointer by Caitlin Dyer (assisted by Aslesen) with 1:05 to go.
• Aslesen compared a 3-point play as DSU reduced their deficit to six points at 64-58 with less than 35 seconds to go in the third quarter.
• Peyton Wingert closed the third quarter with a 3-pointer to hold a 67-58 lead.
• Dakota State outscored Briar Cliff 27-18 in the first ten minutes of the second half.  The Trojans shot 10-of-18 from the field (55.8 percent) compared to the Chargers 8-of-15 field goals (53.3 percent). 
• BCU ballooned their lead to 71-60 after Konnor Sudmann's layup with 7:19 left in the game.
• Dyer hit a pair of free-throws as the Trojans trailed 73-66 with less than six minutes to go.
• The Chargers regained their double-digit lead at 81-70 after a 3-point play by Sudmann with 3:01 remaining.
• DSU answered with a 6-0 scoring run to cut BCU's lead to 81-76 after Menning's lay-up with 1:07 to go in the game.
• Sidney Fick made a lay-up (assisted by Menning) as the Trojans trailed 81-78 with less than 40 seconds left.
• Briar Cliff answered with a pair of free-throws from Sudmann to extend their lead to 83-78.  Dakota State could not covert their scoring chances on the ensuing possession as BCU secured the victory.
• DSU outscored BCU 20-18 in the final quarter, despite shooting a blazing 72.7 percent (8-of-11 field goals).  BCU was held to 5-of-14 field goals in the fourth quarter (35.7 percent) and hit 8-of-9 free-throws.
• Menning paced the Trojans with 15 points on her 6-of-10 field goals.  She also grabbed six rebounds and dished out three assists.  She stole the ball twice.  Aslesen posted a double-double of 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.  She registered three blocked shots.
• Dyer scored 13 points off the bench for DSU.  Lilli Mackley added 12 points off the bench.  She also had five rebounds.  Morgan Huber tallied eight points.  Angela Slattery contributed three assists.
• Sudmann poured in 23 points for the Chargers.  She grabbed five rebounds and registered three steals.  Kennedy Benne added 20 points and stole the ball five times. 
• Deitchler scored 15 points and pulled down nine rebounds for Briar Cliff.  She was 7-of-11 from the field.  Payton Slaughter added 10 points and five assists. 
• Dakota State shot 30-of-59 field goals overall (50.8 percent) compared to Briar Cliff 30-of-66 field goals (45.5 percent).  The Trojans hit 9-of-25 3-pointers while the Chargers were 5-of-19 3-pointers.
• DSU struggled at the free-throw line, going 9-of-17 free-throws (52.9 percent).
• The Trojans outrebounded the Chargers 39-32 in the game. 
• Briar Cliff outscored Dakota State 28-8 in points off turnovers.  The Trojans outscored the Chargers 41-10 in bench points.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director