November 18, 2023

Photo credit by VCSU Sports Information

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – Facing a five-point deficit early in the fourth quarter, No. 16 ranked Dakota State (S.D.) used an 8-3 closing run in the final 2:22 to secure a 63-59 victory over No. 22 ranked Mayville State (N.D.) in the battle of the NAIA's Top 25 in the fourth annual Dakota Clash Saturday afternoon at W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse.

Dakota State continued its dominance in the annual Dakota Clash, going 8-0 record all-time in the tournament since 2020-21.  The Trojans swept both Valley City State (N.D.) and Mayville State (N.D.) in each year's tournament.

The Trojans held the Comets' scoring average less than 20 points (MSU's scoring average dropped to 78.4 points per game after this game).

DSU won their sixth straight game, raising their overall record to 6-2.  Mayville State fell to 5-2 overall record.  Both teams will be facing two more times during the North Star Athletic Association regular season in January and February.

Dakota State is off until Dec. 1-2 as they host their home classic.  The two-day tournament includes North Star Athletic Association's fellow Dickinson State (N.D.), College of the Ozarks (Mo.), and Haskell (Kan.).  The tournament begins on Friday, Dec. 1 with Dickinson State versus Haskell (Kan.) at 4 p.m., followed by Dakota State versus College of the Ozarks at 6 p.m.

(16) Dakota State (S.D.) 63, (22) Mayville State (N.D.) 59 – FINAL

Both teams struggled to find their offensive rhythm in the first ten minutes of the game, with both teams going 4-of-13 from the field (30.8 percent).  Savannah Walsdorf opened the game with a basket with 8:36 to go in the first for DSU 2-0 lead.

Dakota State never trailed in the first quarter, holding a 9-8 lead.  The Trojans and the Comets did not score in the final 3:16 of the first period.

A total of nine lead changes and two ties were registered in the second quarter, with a lead no greater than four points by the Comets.  Olivia Ritter drained a 3-pointer to regain a 15-14 lead for the Trojans with 6:43 on the clock.

MSU went on a quick 6-0 scoring run after back-to-back 3-pointers from Greta Hillukka and Ern Walcker for a 21-17 lead with 5:37 to go in the second.

DSU answered with a 5-0 run to regain a 22-21 lead after a 3-pointer from Savannah Walsdorf followed a basket by Tabor Teel with 3:18 remaining before halftime.

Walcker made a basket to give Mayville State a 25-24 halftime lead over Dakota State.

The Trojans shot 10-of-30 field goals (33.3 percent) in the first half compared to the Comets' 34.6 percent (9-of-26 field goals).

Mayville State kicked off the third quarter with a 10-4 scoring run to earn the biggest lead of the game at 35-27 after a basket by Jordan Zrust with 7:19 on the clock.

Trailing 37-29, Dakota State stormed back with an 11-2 outburst capped by a 2-point basket by Cierra Watkins for a 40-39 lead with 1:27 to go in the third period.

Mackenzie Hughes made a fast break basket to give Comets a 43-40 lead by the end of the third quarter.  MSU outscored DSU 18-16 in the third.

Dakota State was 6-of-16 from the field in the third quarter (37.5 percent), including 4-of-10 from the 3-point line.  Mayville State was 6-of-15 field goals, and 2-of-3 from the 3-point arc.

The Comets maintained their lead between three- and five-points for the first three-and-half minutes of the fourth quarter.  A 3-pointer by DSU's Angela Slattery (assisted by Caitlin Dyer) trimmed MSU's lead to 51-49 with 5:54 remaining.

After falling behind 53-49, Dakota State scored six straight points to regain their lead at 55-53 after a 3-point play by Lilli Mackley with 3:39 left in regulation.

Mayville State made their last lead of the game as Hughes hit a 3-pointer (assisted by Jordan Zrust) for a 56-55 lead with 2:35 to go.

Savannah Walsdorf scored five straight points in DSU's 5-0 run to grab a 60-56 lead with 25 seconds to go in the game. 

Hughes answered on the ensuing possession with a 3-pointer as the Comets trailed 60-59 with less than 15 seconds to go.

Mayville State committed a defensive foul on the next possession, sending Dakota State's Morgan Huber to the free-throw line.  Huber hit a pair of free-throws to put DSU up 62-59 with 10 seconds to go.

Walcker missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer on the next possession for Mayville State.  Walsdorf rebounded the ball and was fouled by MSU.  Walsdorf missed the first free-throw attempt and made the second free throw attempt to secure the victory for Dakota State with less than two seconds to go.

The Trojans outscored the Comets 23-16 in the final quarter, thanks to their blazing 61.5 percent from the field (8-of-13 field goals), 2-of-3 3-pointers, and 5-of-7 free-throws.  MSU was limited to 28.6 percent from the field in the final quarter (4-of-14 field goals), 2-of-8 from the 3-point line, and 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.

Walsdorf led Dakota State with 11 points and six rebounds.  Slattery added eight points and pulled down nine rebounds.  Ritter and Cierra Watkins each scored nine points off the bench.  Huber and Miakken Vincent each had seven points.  Teel had four points, five rebounds, and two blocked shots. 

Huber and Watkins each dished out three assists for the Trojans. 

Zrust poured game-highs of 28 points and 14 rebounds for Mayville State.  She was 7-of-18 from the field and hit all 14 free-throw attempts.  Walcker added 15 points and seven rebounds.  Hughes had 11 points.

CJ Decker and Jes Mertens each contributed three assists.  Mertens stole the ball three times.

Dakota State shot 40.7 percent overall from the field (24-of-59 field goals) and 10-of-30 3-pointers.  Mayville State was held to 34.5 percent from the field (19-of-55 field goals) and 7-of-24 from the 3-point arc. 

DSU outrebounded MSU 37-32 in the game.  The Trojans outscored the Comets 29-5 in bench points.