November 1, 2023

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Dordt (Iowa) started the game red-hot shooting from the field by going 8-of-11 from the field for a 19-3 lead, never trailing in the game to open the 2023-24 season with a 90-54 victory over Dakota State (S.D.) at the Sanford Sports Complex in the Pentagon.  It was the battle of the NAIA's women's basketball preseason Top 10 teams.

It was the second straight season that both teams played at the Sanford Pentagon.  It was the season opener for both teams.  Dakota State (0-1 overall record) advanced to the national semifinals last season and is ranked No. 8 in the preseason poll.  Dordt (1-0 overall record) is ranked No. 3 in the national poll and advanced to the NAIA national tournament quarterfinals.

The Trojans continue their action Friday afternoon as they face another NAIA's Top 10 team.  DSU faces No. 5 ranked Marian (Ind.) in the annual Cattle Classic, hosted by Concordia (Neb.) at Friedrich Arena in Seward, Neb.  Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.

(3) Dordt (Iowa) 90, (8) Dakota State (S.D.) 54 – FINAL

The Defenders kicked off the game by making three straight baskets by open a 6-0 lead with eight minutes, twenty-one seconds on the clock in the first quarter.

Lilli Mackley drained a 3-pointer to end DSU's scoring drought (assisted by Savannah Walsdorf), trailing 6-3 with 7:26 to go in the first period.

Dordt erupted for 16 straight points in the next three-plus minutes, ballooning their lead to 19-3 with 4:08 left in the first.  Angela Slattery ended the Trojans' scoring drought with a basket inside the paint (DSU trailed 19-5 with four minutes on the clock). 

The Defenders led 27-6 after the first ten minutes, thanks to their 57.9 percent field goal shooting (11-of-19 field goals).  The Trojans were held to 2-of-18 from the field (11.1 percent).

DU maintained their double dight lead throughout the second quarter.  The Defenders outscored the Trojans 19-14 in the second period, capped by layup by Macy Sievers to close the first half for a 46-20 halftime lead.

Dordt outscored Dakota State 23-15 in the third period to extend their lead to 69-35.  The Defenders edged the Trojans 21-19 in the final quarter.

Tabor Teel posted career-highs 12 points and nine rebounds off the bench for DSU.  She was 5-of-7 from the field.  Slattery added nine points and seven rebounds.  She stole the ball four times.  Mackley had four points and eight rebounds. 

Caitlin Dyer, Olivia Ritter, and Bria Wasmund each added four points for Dakota State.  Walsdorf, Huber, and Molli Thornton each had four points.  Dyer recorded three steals.  Walsdorf and Morgan Huber each dished out two assists.  Slattery, Huber, and Angelina Chapple each registered a blocked shot.

Walsdorf established a new all-time school record steals at DSU after recording a steal in the game.  She broke the tie with Jessica VanLoy (2004-08) with 305 career steals at Dakota State.  Walsdorf also had four rebounds.

Dordt led a balanced scoring offense attack with 13 different players scored in the game. Karly Gustafson produced a double-double of 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.  Janie Schoonhoven added 15 points.  Bailey Beckman scored 11 points.  Sievers tallied 12 points and dished out eight assists.  Olivia Harazin had eight points.

Faith Van Holland, Hayden Heimensen, Macey Nielson, and Gracie Schoonhoven each had five points for DU.

The Defenders shot 45.3 percent from the field (34-of-75 field goals), including 9-of-19 3-pointers (47.4 percent).  Th Trojans were 29.9 percent from the field (20-of-67 field goals) and 3-of-23 3-pointers.

Dordt outrebounded Dakota State 57-40 in the game.