January 12, 2024

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – NAIA's nationally-ranked Dakota State (S.D.) scored at least 23 points in each quarter Friday evening, rolling to season-highs in points (104) and field goal percentage (55.6 percent) in 104-67 North Star Athletic Association women's basketball contest at W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse.  The Trojans extended their winning streak in the series meeting to 12 games, earning their second win over the Vikings for the second time this season on VCSU's home court (defeated Vikings 92-58 on Nov. 17 in the annual Dakota Clash).

Dakota State, ranked No. 13 in the latest national poll, extended the winning streak to six games and raised their overall record to 14-4 and 2-0 NSAA conference record.  Valley City State dropped their third straight games, falling to 6-9 overall record.  They were playing their NSAA conference season opener. 

The Trojans scored the most points in the series meeting with the Vikings held at W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse, propelling to their fifth straight road victory at VCSU.  It was the first time this season that DSU had surpassed the century points.

Dakota State, who is 6-0 record on the current road trip, concludes their season-long seven-game road stretch Saturday late afternoon.  The Trojans travel to Scott Gymnasium to take on Dickinson State (N.D.) with a 4 p.m. (Central Time)/3 p.m. (Mountain Time) tip-off.

(13) Dakota State (S.D.) 104, Valley City State (N.D.) 67 – FINAL

Both teams traded leads to kick off the game, with Angela Slattery hitting the first basket for DSU 2-0 lead with nine minutes, nine seconds on the clock.  Ashlyn Diemert answered with a 3-pointer on the next possession to give VCSU a 3-2 lead with 8:50 to go in the first period.

Leading 8-6, Dakota State sparked a 12-2 outburst capped by a layup by Savannah Walsdorf for a 20-8 lead and forced Valley City State to call their first timeout of the game with 3:33 to go in first.

Slattery drained a 3-pointer (assisted by Bria Wasmund) as the first quarter expired, ballooning the Trojans' lead to 31-13. 

Dakota State shot a blazing 63.2 percent from the field in the first ten minutes of the game, including 4-of-5 from the 3-point arc.  Valley City State was limited to 26.3 percent (5-of-19 field goals) and 2-of-6 from the 3-point arc.

DSU maintained their double-digit lead for the rest of the game.  The Trojans held the lead between 15- and 22-points throughout the second quarter, outscoring the Vikings 23-20.  Tabor Teel closed the second quarter with a basket to give the Trojans a 54-33 halftime advantage. 

Dakota State was 10-of-21 from the field in the second period (47.6 percent), while Valley City State was 8-of-16 from the field (50 percent).

The Trojans started their third quarter on a 6-0 scoring tear, widening their lead to 60-35 after a layup by Cierra Watkins (assisted by Walsdorf) with 8:32 on the clock.

DSU extended their scoring run to 13-2 after Lilli Mackley hit a layup for 68-37 lead with 6:12 to go in the third quarter.

Dakota State led 81-50 after three quarters, outscoring Valley City State 27-17 in the third.  The Trojans were 9-of-17 from the field (4-of-10 from the 3-point line) compared to the Vikings 6-of-17 field goals (35.3 percent).

DSU used another 6-0 opening quarter run in the fourth, making it 87-50 after Walsdorf hit a 3-pointer with 9:06 on the clock (assisted by Wasmund). 

Watkins made a layup as Dakota State hit the century point (assisted by Slattery) with 4:44 remaining (DSU led 100-63).

DSU outscored VCSU 23-17 in the final quarter, highlighted by 9-of-15 field goals (60 percent).  The Vikings were 7-of-17 from the field (41.2 percent).

Five players hit double-digits for Dakota State.  Walsdorf led the team with 24 points on her 10-of-14 field goals, 3-of-4 from the 3-point line and made a free-throw.  She also had five rebounds and stole the ball four times.  Slattery and Mackley each added 14 points.  Caitlin Dyer scored 11 points.

Watkins tallied 10 points off the bench on her perfect 4-of-4 field goals and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line for DSU.  Morgan Huber had seven points (3-of-3 field goals), grabbed three rebounds, and registered three steals.  Wasmund and Miakken Vincent each added six points.  Wasmund dished out a season-high five assists. 

Teel scored five points and pulled down 11 rebounds (10 defense rebounds) for Dakota State.  She had three blocks.  Olivia Ritter had five points and four rebounds. 

Diemert led the Vikings with 20 points on her 7-of-14 field goals and 4-of-6 free-throws.  She had three rebounds and three steals.  Adriana Torres tallied 19 points and four rebounds.  JayCee Richter registered nine points and six rebounds. 

Dakota State shot 40-of-72 from the field (season-high in field goals made).  The Trojans were 13-of-28 from the 3-point arc (46.4 percent).  Valley City State was limited to 37.7 percent (26-of-69 field goals) and 4-of-14 from the 3-point line.

Both teams converted 11-of-16 from the free-throw line.

The Trojans had a slim rebounding advantage, outrebounding the Vikings 42-41. 

Dakota State outscored Valley City State 29-13 in points off turnovers, 34-23 in bench points, and 65-43 inside the paint.