November 4, 2023

SEWARD, Neb. – NAIA's nationally ranked No. 8 Dakota State (S.D.) erupted for a season-high in points, routing Sterling (Kan.) 96-52 of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) Saturday morning on the second day of the 24^th annual Cattle Classic.  The two-day tournament was being hosted by Concordia (Neb.) at Friedrich Arena.

The Trojans drained a season-high 17 3-pointers to ignite their first win of the 2023-24 season, the most 3-pointers made in a game since Feb. 20, 2023, versus Presentation (S.D.) with 16 3-pointers in the opening round of the North Star Athletic Association postseason tournament at DSU Fieldhouse.

Dakota State improved their overall record to 1-2.  The Trojans had won the previous three meetings with the Warriors, including the national tournament Round of 16 in 2021.  DSU also scored more than 90 points in the last two meetings with Sterling.  SC fell to 0-2 overall record.

DSU opens their home schedule Wednesday evening, kicking off their three-game home stand at DSU Fieldhouse.  The Trojans host in-state rival Mount Marty (S.D.) with a 6 p.m. tip-off.

(8) Dakota State (S.D.) 96, Sterling (Kan.) 52 – FINAL

The Trojans kicked off the game with a 3-pointer from Angela Slattery (assisted by Cierra Watkins) with nine minutes, two second son the clock.  DSU never trailed for the rest of the game.

Dakota State ballooned their lead to 9-2 after a pair of free-throws by Tabor Teel with 5:41 left in the first period.  Sterling could get no closer than three points at 9-6 after a basket by Bailey Young with five minutes to go in the first.

DSU led 22-15 after the first ten minutes of the game.

The Warriors were held scoreless for the first three-plus minutes of the second quarter, sparking an 11-0 outburst by the Trojans.  Caitlin Dyer kicked off the second quarter with a 3-pointer, followed by a layup.  Savannah Walsdorf capped DSU's scoring run with a pair of free-throws for a 33-15 lead with 8:10 to go.

Kayla Morris ended SC's scoring drought with a basket with 6:48 on the clock in the second (DSU led 33-17).

Dakota State held Sterling scoreless for the final 5:23 of the second quarter, fueling a 16-0 outburst to balloon their lead to 55-22 after a layup by Lilli Mackley.

The Trojans outscored the Warriors 33-7 in the second period, thanks to their 68.4 field goal percentage (13-of-19 field goals) including 5-of-9 from the 3-point arc.  SC was held to 3-of-11 from the field (27.3 percent) and committed 11 turnovers. 

DSU stretched their scoring run to 18-0 in the early third quarter, expanding their lead to 57-22 after Walsdorf's two free-throws with 9:11 on the clock.

Dakota State led as many as 44 points at 77-33 after a 3-pointer from Slattery (assisted by Molli Thornton) with less than a minute to go in the third.

The Trojans outscored the Warriors 22-15 in the third period. 

DSU posted its biggest lead of the game at 86-41 with 7:06 remaining in the game. 

All five Dakota State starters scored in the game, led by Slattery with 17 points.  She was 6-of-10 from the field and 4-of-7 from the 3-point line.  She also pulled down five rebounds and dished out four assists.  Walsdorf added 14 points and eight rebounds.  She was 6-of-6 from the free-throw line and stole the ball five times.

Mackley tallied 13 points on her 6-of-10 field goals for DSU.  Morgan Huber tallied 12 points.   Mackley and Huber each recorded three steals.  Dyer scored 11 points and produced three assists.

Teel, Watkins, and Bria Wasmund each scored seven points off the bench for the Trojans.  Teel grabbed seven rebounds and registered two blocked shots.  Brooke Gunderson had five points.  Olivia Ritter collected five rebounds. 

Korynn Clason and Alissa Heskamp each scored 10 points for Sterling.  Clason had eight rebounds, while Heskamp stole the ball three times.  Kelsey Koontz had nine points.  Kali Briar had four steals.

Dakota State was 48.5 percent overall from the field (33-of-68 field goals), including 17-of-39 from the 3-point arc (43.6 percent).  The Trojans converted 13-of-16 free-throws.  Sterling shot 39 percent (23-of-59 field goals) and was only 0-of-1 from the 3-point line.  SC was 6-of-10 from the free-throw line.

DSU outrebounded SC 40-33. 

The Trojans outscored the Warriors 31-12 in points off turnovers, 29-25 in bench points and 10-4 in fast-break points.

Slattery was selected to the All-Cattle Classic Women's Basketball team selected by Concordia:

All-Cattle Classic Women's Basketball Team
Kendal Brigham – Concordia (Neb.)
Korynn Clason – Sterling (Kan.)
Kinnidy Garrard – Marian (Ind.)
Taysha Rushton – Concordia (Neb.)
Angela Slattery – Dakota State (S.D.)