November 11, 2023

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) built a 16-point halftime lead over Kansas Wesleyan in the non-conference women's basketball action at DSU Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon.  The Trojans ballooned to the largest lead of 18 points early in the third quarter and survived the Coyotes' second-half outburst by the score of 70-67.

Dakota State, ranked No. 16 in the latest NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, stretched their winning streak to three games to raise their overall record to 3-2.  Kansas Wesleyan, a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, fell to 2-4 overall record.

The Trojans won their second straight meeting with the Coyotes, both held at DSU Fieldhouse (ironically, last meeting was held six years ago on Nov. 11, 2017).

DSU concludes their three-game home stand Monday evening as they welcome their long-time rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.).  The inaugural Battle of the Blues, sponsored by BankWest, will tip off at 5:30 p.m. with the women's game.

(16) Dakota State (S.D.) 70, Kansas Wesleyan 67 – FINAL

Dakota State kicked off the game with a 3-pointer from Lilli Mackley (assisted by Savannah Walsdorf) with nine minutes, twenty-four seconds on the clock.  The Trojans would extend their lead to 8-2 after a fast-break layup by Bria Wasmund (assisted by Morgan Huber) with 6:11 to go in the first period.

The Trojans led 17-10 after the first ten minutes.  Both teams struggled from the field with DSU recording 33.3 percent (5-of-15 field goals) and KWU 28.6 percent (4-of-14 field goals).

Dakota State started the second quarter by making four straight baskets, igniting a 10-0 outburst.  Caitlin Dyer started the scoring run with a layup and capped the run with a 3-pointer (assisted by Cierra Watkins) for a 27-13 lead, forcing the Coyotes to call a timeout with 7:43 to go in the second quarter.

The Trojans maintained their double-digit lead for the rest of the second quarter, except on one occasion.  Alexis Dixon hit a basket with 3:12 on the clock, cutting DSU's lead to 29-20.

Mackley made a layup (assisted by Huber) as Dakota State ballooned their lead to 40-24 by halftime.

Dakota State outscored Kansas Wesleyan 23-14 in the second period.  DSU was 45.5 percent from the field in the first half (15-of-33 field goals) and held Kansas Wesleyan to 26.7 percent from the field (8-of-30 field goals).

DSU's Dyer started the second half with the biggest lead of the game at 42-24 with 9:46 on the clock.  The Trojans also produced the biggest lead of the game at 45-27 with less than eight minutes left after a 3-pointer from Mackley (assisted by Slattery).

The Coyotes went on a 10-1 scoring run, capped by a 3-pointer from Jill Stephens to trim the Trojans' lead to 46-37 with 4:39 left in the third quarter.

Megan Foote closed the third quarter with a basket at the buzzer for KWU.  DSU led 56-47 after three quarters, despite being outscored by the Coyotes 23-16 in the third period.

Dakota State held Kansas Wesleyan scoreless in the first three-and-half minutes of the fourth quarter, regaining their double-digit lead after a 5-0 scoring run.  Walsdorf capped the scoring run with a layup for 61-47 lead with 6:50 remaining.

With DSU leading 62-50, the Coyotes mounted a 13-0 outburst in the next three-plus minutes and trimmed the Trojans' lead to 64-63 with 2:37 left in the game.

Watkins quickly answered with a layup on the next possession to extend DSU's lead to 66-63.  Dakota State called a timeout with 2:28 remaining.

Daijane Adams made a basket for KWU on the next possession with 2:20 left (DSU led 66-65).  After each team traded missed opportunities, Walsdorf extended DSU's lead to 68-65 after a basket inside the paint with 1:15 left.

Kansas Wesleyan reduced their deficit to 69-67 after LaMyah Ricks' basket with 10 seconds to go in the game.  The Coyotes committed a foul to send Mackley to the free-throw line.  She missed the first free-throw attempt and made the second free-throw attempt to put DSU up 70-67 with 8.7 seconds to go.

KWU's Catherine Bowman missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer from the wing as the game ended, securing the victory for Dakota State.

The Coyotes outscored the Trojans 20-14 in the final quarter and 43-30 in the second half.  KWU shot 48.6 percent from the field in the final twenty minutes of the game (17-of-35 field goals), including 5-of-12 from the 3-point arc.  DSU was 34.4 percent from the field (11-of-32 field goals) and 2-of-12 3-pointers. 

Four Dakota State scored in double-digits, packed by Slattery with a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.  She dished out four assists.  Walsdorf, Mackley, and Dyer each added 12 points.  Mackley had six rebounds and two blocked shots.  Walsdorf collected five rebounds and two steals.

Olivia Ritter tallied eight points, six rebounds, and two steals for DSU.  Bria Wasmund and Watkins each scored six points.  Huber contributed four assists.

Stephens led the Coyotes with 15 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three blocked shots.  Adams added 12 points and four rebounds off the bench.  Hampton Williams had eight points and seven rebounds.  Angel Lee registered seven points and four assists. 

Dakota State shot 40 percent overall from the field (26-of-65 field goals) compared to Kansas Wesleyan 38.5 percent (25-of-65 field goals).  The Coyotes hit 6-of-19 3-pointers, while the Trojans hit 5-of-25 from the 3-point line.

KWU converted 11-of-13 free-throws (84.6 percent).  DSU struggled at the free-throw line, making 13-of-27 free-throws (48.1 percent).

Dakota State had a slight rebounding edge over Kansas Wesleyan 43-42. 

DSU outscored KWU 20-14 in points off turnovers and 42-28 inside the paint.