November 8, 2023

MADISON, S.D. – Nationally ranked Dakota State (S.D.) shook off their slow start Wednesday evening in their home opener versus in-state rival Mount Marty (S.D.) at DSU Fieldhouse.  The Trojans used an 11-0 first quarter closing run and never trailed for the rest of the game, cruising to an 87-63 victory over the Lancers.

Dakota State, who fell to No. 16 from No. 8 in the first edition of the NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll Wednesday morning, won their second straight game to even their overall record to 2-2.  Mount Marty dropped their second straight game against North Star Athletic Association's fellow (lost to Valley City State, N.D., 75-74 on Nov. 4 with a half court shot at the buzzer at the Sanford Pentagon).

It was the fifth straight victory in the series meeting between DSU and MMU.  The Trojans extended their home winning streak to 16 games, dating back to 2021-22.   Dakota State also won their fourth consecutive season home opener at DSU Fieldhouse.

DSU continues their three-game home stand Saturday, hosting Kansas Wesleyan of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.  Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse.

(16) Dakota State (S.D.) 87, Mount Marty (S.D.) 63 – FINAL

Mount Marty grabbed the first lead of the game at 2-0 after Briona Jensen hit an inside basket.  Angela Slattery drained a 3-pointer as DSU earned a 3-2 lead with less than nine minutes to go in the game.

After going through seven lead changes and two ties to start the game, Dakota State stormed with an 11-0 closing run in the first period, capped by a pair of free-throws by Savannah Walsdorf to earn a 21-11 lead after the first quarter.

DSU shot 31.6 percent from the field in the first ten minutes (6-of-19 field goals) compared to MMU 31.3 percent (5-of-16 field goals).

After Lucia Gonzales De La hit a 3-pointer to start the third quarter (MMU trailed 21-14), Dakota State scored 13 straight points to balloon their lead to 34-14 after a basket by Cierra Watkins.

Dakota State led 42-22 by halftime.  The Trojans widened their lead to 69-39 after outscoring the Lancers 27-17 in the third period.

Walsdorf poured in a season-high 23 points for Dakota State.  She was 6-of-13 from the field, with six 3-pointers.  She also converted 5-of-6 free-throws.  Walsdorf dished out a game-high six assists.  Lilli Mackley added 11 points and five rebounds.  Olivia Ritter scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Slattery pulled down 11 rebounds, scored five points, and stole the ball four times for DSU.  Bria Wasmund added nine points.  Watkins had seven points.  Caitlin Dyer scored six points.  Tabor Teel had five rebounds and four points.

Sidney Thue led the Lancers with 14 points and six rebounds.  Jaydn Jensen added 13 points and five rebounds.  Isabelle Ellwein had 11 points.  Kaity Hove collected seven rebounds and dished out six assists. 

Dakota State shot 43.3 percent from the field (29-of-67 field goals) and drained 13 3-pointers in 32 tries (40.6 percent).  The Trojans were 16-of-19 from the free-throw line.  Mount Marty was 42.6 percent from the field, 6-of-12 from the 3-point line and hit 11-of-15 free-throws.

Both teams collected 36 rebounds in the game.  The Trojans outscored the Lancers 27-7 in points off turnovers.