January 20, 2023

La CROSSE, Wis. – Dakota State (S.D.) stormed to a 12-0 opening lead at R.W. Beggs Gymnasium over Viterbo (Wis.) Friday evening.  The Trojans never trailed in the forty minutes North Star Athletic Association women's basketball contest, extending their winning streak to five games after an 86-57 victory over the V-Hawks.  DSU extended their winning streak to five games, and recorded their 15th win in the last 17 games.

Dakota State raised their overall record to 15-5 and remained in the three-way tie for first place in the North Star Athletic Association conference standings with a 5-1 record.  Viterbo fell to 5-13 overall record and 2-4 NSAA conference record.

The Trojans wrap up their first half portion of the North Star basketball schedule Saturday afternoon, concluding their four-game road trip at Hanson Fieldhouse versus Waldorf (Iowa).  The game is set for 3 p.m. in Forest City, Iowa.

(RV) Dakota State (S.D.) 86, Viterbo (Wis.) 57 – FINAL

• Morgan Huber ignited Dakota State's 12-0 fast start with a pair of 3-pointers.  Sidney Fick capped the Trojans scoring run for a 12-0 lead with 6:16 left on the clock in the first period.
• The V-Hawks missed three shots and committed three turnovers during DSU's opening run.  Tyreesha Blaylock snapped VU's scoring run with a layup with six minutes left (DSU led 12-2).
• DSU closed the first quarter with a pair of free-throws from Courtney Menning and Lilli Mackley, ballooning their lead to 23-7.
• The Trojans were 7-of-15 from the field (46.7 percent) and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line in the first ten minutes.  The V-Hawks were held to 25 percent (3-of-12 field goals) and committed nine turnovers.
• Dakota State outscored VIterbo 22-17 in the second quarter to widen their lead to 45-24 by halftime, capped by a layup from Savannah Walsdorf. 
• DSU was 8-of-19 from the field (42.1 percent), including 4-of-9 from the 3-point arc, in the second quarter.  VU was held to 6-of-20 field goals (30 percent).
• Huber kicked off the third quarter with a layup to fuel DSU's 11-0 scoring run.  Elsie Aslesen scored the final five points of the scoring run, extending the Trojans lead to 58-24 with 7:49 to go in the third.
• Miakken Vincent nailed down a pair of free-throws as Dakota State led 66-37 by the end of the third quarter.  DSU outscored VU 21-13 in the third.
• Dakota State used another opening fast start quarter in the fourth, sparking with a 10-0 outburst.  Olivia Ritter completed a 3-point play to give the Trojans their biggest lead of the game at 76-39 with 8:22 remaining.
• Both teams scored 20 points in the final quarter as DSU secured the victory.
• Four players scored in double digits for the Trojans, led by Aslesen with 15 points on her 5-of-6 field goals and 4-of-5 free-throws.  She also pulled down four rebounds, registered four blocks, and dished out three assists.
• Mackley added 13 points and three rebounds for DSU.  Huber had 10 points and two assists.  Walsdorf tallied 10 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.  Menning had eight points and stole the ball four times.
• Angela Slattery had seven points and collected nine rebounds for Dakota State.  Caitlin Dyer recorded five steals. 
• Natalia Leguizamon led the V-Hawks with 11 points.  Macy Stellner had eight points and five rebounds.  Emma Wagner had seven points.  Emily McCurdy stole the ball four times.
• Dakota State shot 30-of-61 from the field overall (49.2 percent) and held Viterbo to 32.8 percent (21-of-64 field goals).  The Trojans were 7-of-23 from the 3-point arc, while the V-Hawks hit 5-of-16 3-pointers. 
• DSU converted 19-of-26 from the free-throw line.  VU made all 10 free-throw attempts.
• Dakota State outrebounded Viterbo 45-31. 

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director