January 28, 2023

Photos credit by Donald Weidler

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) highlighted a 19-0 scoring run late second quarter and early third quarter Saturday afternoon, extending their winning streak to eight games after an 80-59 North Star Athletic Association women's basketball victory at DSU Fieldhouse.  It marked the second time this season that the Trojans had won eight straight games, tying for eighth best winning streak in the school record book.

Dakota State wrapped up the month of January with an undefeated record and their fourth straight weekend sweep in North Star conference action.  The Trojans, receiving votes (RV) in the latest NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, raised their overall record to 18-5 and 8-1 record in the league.  Viterbo fell to 5-16 overall record and 2-7 NSAA conference record after their fourth straight setback.

DSU is 8-0 record at home this season and recorded their 39th home victory in the last 42 contests held at DSU Fieldhouse since the 2019-20 season.

Dakota Sate continues their season-high four-game home stand next weekend, hosting Presentation (S.D.) Friday at 5:30 p.m. in the annual Ag Ball contest.  The Trojans also host Mayville State (N.D.) next Saturday (Feb. 4).

(RV) Dakota State (S.D.) 80, Viterbo (Wis.) 59 – FINAL

• Dakota State never trailed in the game and recorded two ties in the early going of the first quarter.
• With the second tie of the game at 4-4, the Trojans stormed by scoring 13 straight points and held the V-Hawks scoreless for five-and-half-plus minutes.  DSU earned a 17-4 lead after Elsie Aslesen's layup (assisted by Angela Slattery) with 2:32 on the clock.
• Viterbo closed the first period with an 8-2 scoring run, capped by a pair of free-throws from Kaitlyn Kennedy to trim DSU's lead to 19-12.
• Both teams struggled from the field in the first ten minutes of the game, with DSU shooting 35.3 percent (6-of-17 field goals) and VU shooting 21.1 percent (4-of-19 field goals).
• Lilli Mackley kicked off the second period with a 3-pointer (assisted by Caitlyn Dyer) as the Trojans ballooned their lead to 22-12 with 9:32 on the clock.
• The V-Hawks trimmed the Trojans' lead to 22-17 after a pair of free-throws by Emily McCurdy with 8:40 to go before halftime.
• DSU maintained their lead between 7- and 13-points for the rest of the second quarter before making a late run.
• Leading 37-28, Dakota State closed the second quarter with a 7-0 scoring run from three different scorers.  Miakken Vincent hit a pair of free-throws followed by Dyer's basket and closed the quarter with a 3-pointer from Morgan Huber (assisted by Dyer) for a 44-28 halftime lead.
• DSU outscored VU 25-16 in the final ten minutes of the first half.  The Trojans were 9-of-22 from the field in the second quarter, while the V-Hawks were 5-of-14 from the field.
• Dakota State began the third quarter by scoring 12 straight points, widening their lead to 56-28 after a basket by Sidney Fick with 5:30 on the clock.
• Viterbo snapped their four-plus minutes scoring drought with 5:09 to go in the third with a basket by Ellie Hoesley (DSU led 56-30).
• A steal by Savannah Walsdorf followed by a layup produced the largest lead of the game at 65-31 with 2:13 left in the third quarter.
• DSU led 69-39 after three quarters, thanks to their 25-11 scoring run over VU.  The Trojans were 10-of-21 from the field in the third period and held the V-Hawks to 4-of-17 field goals.
• Vincent nailed down a pair of free-throws with less than a minute to go, giving DSU an 80-56 lead.  It marked the sixth time during the month of January with DSU had scored at least 80 points in a game.
• The Trojans maintained their double-digit lead for the rest of the game, despite being outscored by the V-Hawks 20-11 in the final quarter.
• Slattery scored 14 points off the bench on her 5-of-10 field goals, including 4-of-9 3-pointers for Dakota State.  She grabbed four rebounds, dished out four assists, and stole the ball four times.
• Dyer talled 13 points, six rebounds, and three assists for DSU.  Courtney Menning had 11 points and recorded five steals.  Aslesen scored nine points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.  She also had three steals and two blocks.
• Mackley tallied seven points, four rebounds, and two steals for the Trojans.  Fick had seven points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.  Olivia Ritter had six points, three rebounds, and three assists.
• Natalia Leguizamon led the V-Hawks with 12 points and four steals.  Gina Stefferud, Julia Salmen, and McCurdy each added seven points. 
• Stefferud and McCurdy each pulled down five rebounds for VU.  McCurdy contributed four assists and stole the ball four times.  Leguizamon and Sophie Leindfelder each registered four steals.  Leinfelder had three assists.
• Dakota State was 28-of-72 overall from the field (38.9 percent) and held Viterbo to 29.7 percent (19-of-64 field goals).  DSU drained 10 3-pointers in 36 attempts while VU made 2-of-16 3-pointers.
• The Trojans went perfect at the free-throw line, making all 14 free-throw attempts.  The V-Hawks were 19-of-22 free-throws (86.4 percent).
• DSU had ten more rebounds on VU (50-40).
• The V-Hawks tallied 21 steals compared to the Trojans 18 steals.
• Dakota State outscored Viterbo 37-28 in points off turnovers, 36-30 inside the paint, and 46-34 in bench points.  Both teams scored 14 points in transition points.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director