January 13, 2024

DICKINSON, N.D. – No. 13 ranked Dakota State (S.D.) continued their red-hot shooting Saturday late afternoon, hitting another season high field goal percentage for the second straight game at Scott Gymnasium.  The Trojans shot a blazing 58.6 percent from the field to cruise past Dickinson State (N.D.) 96-55 in the North Star Athletic Association women's basketball action.

Dakota State won their seventh straight game to raise their overall record to 15-4 and remained undefeated in the North Star conference play with 3-0 record.  Dickinson State fell to 5-11 overall record and 0-2 NSAA conference record.

It was the Trojans' 16^th straight victory in the series meeting with the Blue Hawks.  Dakota State finished their seven-game road stretch with an undefeated 7-0 record.

Dakota State returns home as they prepare for their three-game North Star Athletic Association home stand.  The Trojans begin their home stand versus Viterbo (Wis.) Friday evening with a 5:30 p.m. tip-off at DSU Fieldhouse.

(13) Dakota State (S.D.) 96, Dickinson State (N.D.) 55 – FINAL

Kayden Steele scored the game's first four points as Dickinson State opened the game with a 4-0 lead with eight minutes and five seconds on the clock.

The Trojans snapped their scoring drought with a pair of free-throws by Angela Slattery with 7:49 on the clock (DSU trailed 4-2).  Caitlin Dyer added a layup as the Trojans knotted the game at 4-4 with 6:29 to go in the first period.

After the Blue Hawks took a brief lead at 6-4 by Whtiney Edwards' basket, Dakota State propelled a monstrous scoring run in the final 5:13 of the first quarter.

The Trojans roared with a 20-4 outburst, closing with a basket from Savannah Walsdorf for 24-10 lead by the end of the first quarter.

DSU was 7-of-14 from the field (50 percent) and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line in the first ten minutes of the game.  DiSU was held to 38.5 percent from the field (5-of-13 field goals).

Dakota State kicked off the second quarter by hitting three 3-pointers as part of their 10-0 scoring run.  Walsdorf ignited the scoring run with a 3-pointer, followed by another 3-pointer from Olivia Ritter, and Cierra Watkins.  Watkins closed the scoring run with a free-throw to give the Trojans 34-10 lead with 6:27 on the clock.

Dickinson State scored the next six points to trim DSU's lead to 34-16 after Hannah LaBree's basket with 5:09 left before halftime.

The Trojans then scored 16 consecutive points, with ten points coming from Walsdorf, to balloon their lead to 50-16 with 1:41 left before halftime.

DSU held DiSU to one point in the final 5:09, where the Blue Hawks snapped their scoreless drought with a free-throw from Samantha Oase with 1:16 to go in the second quarter.

Dakota State held a 50-17 halftime lead after outscoring Dickinson State 26-7 in the second quarter.  The Trojans missed just three field goals in the second period, going an impressive 75 percent from the field (9-of-12 field goals) and 7-of-10 from the 3-point line.  The Blue Hawks were limited to 27.3 percent from the field (3-of-11 field goals).

The Trojans maintained control for the rest of the game, leading as many as 42 points in the third quarter.  DSU outscored DiSU 26-21 in the third quarter to extend their lead to 76-38. 

Dakota State shot 9-of-14 from the field (64.3 percent) and 4-of-7 from the 3-point arc in the first ten minutes of the third quarter.  Dickinson State was 10-of-16 from the field (62.5 percent).

The Trojans hit the largest lead of the game at 96-53 as Kristine Biniek hit a layup with less than 15 seconds to go in the game.

DSU outscored DiSU 20-17 in the fourth quarter.  Both teams shot 50 percent from the field in the final ten minutes (DSU 9-of-18 field goals and DiSU 8-of-16 field goals).

Thirteen Trojans scored in the game to lead a balanced scoring attack.

Walsdorf and Slattery each scored 19 points for Dakota State.  Walsdorf was 8-of-11 from the field, including 3-of-5 from the 3-point arc.  She also grabbed eight rebounds and recorded two steals.  Slattery was 5-of-7 from the field (all 3-pointers) and converted all four free-throw attempts.  She had three steals and two assists.

Watkins scored 12 points off the bench for the Trojans.  She was 4-of-5 from the field and 3-of-5 from the free-throw line.  Lilli Mackley and Olivia Ritter each added eight points.  Mackley had four rebounds.  Morgan Huber and Biniek each had five points.  Caitlin Dyer, Bria Wasmund, and Macey Wathen each scored four points.

Wasmund contributed a season-high six assists for Dakota State.  Tabor Teel had three steals and three rebounds.  Teel and Miakken Vincent each had three points.  Molli Thornton scored two points.

Steele led the Blue Hawks with 13 points on her 6-of-10 field goals.  Katherine Fox added 12 points.  Oase had 10 points and three rebounds. 

Edwards and Kyrie Alldredge each scored eight points off the bench for Dickinson State. 

Dakota State shot 34-of-58 from the field (58.6 percent) compared to Dickinson State 26-of-56 field goals (46.4 percent).  The Trojans posted a season-high 3-point field goals percentage, registering 53.3 percent by hitting 16 3-poitners in 30 attempts.  The Blue Hawks only made one 3-pointer in ten tries.

DSU converted 12-of-15 free-throws (80 percent) compared to DiSU 2-of-5 free-throws (40 percent).

The Trojans outrebounded the Blue Hawks 34-24 in the game. 

Dakota State outscored Dickinson State 33-11 in points off turnovers, 41-20 in bench points, and 10-4 in second chance points.  Both teams scored 36 points inside the paint.