November 1, 2024

SEWARD, Neb. – Dakota State (S.D.) competed in the two-day Cattle Classic, hosted by Concordia (Neb.) at Friedrich Arena, for the fifth consecutive year.  The Trojans faced Southern Oregon in the early battle of the NAIA Women's Basketball Top 10 battle.  The Red Raiders edged DSU 70-68 in an evenly close contest.

It was the regular season opener for both teams.  Dakota State (0-1 overall record) is ranked No. 6 in the NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll and advanced to the national quarterfinals for the third time in the last four years in 2023-24.  Southern Oregon (1-0 overall record) of the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) is ranked No. 10 in the national preseason poll and advanced to the national tournament's second round last season.

The Trojans seek their first win of the season as they continue their action in the Cattle Classic Saturday morning.  DSU plays Oklahoma City of the Sooner Athletic Conference, tipping off at 10 a.m. at Friedrich Arena.

(10) Southern Oregon 70, (6) Dakota State (S.D.) 68 – FINAL

Dakota State opened the game with a 3-0 lead after a 3-pointer from Lilli Mackley (assisted by Cierra Watkins) with nine minutes and thirty-eight seconds on the clock.  Southern Oregon answered by scoring five straight points to grab their first lead of the game at 5-3 after Bridgette McIntyre's 3-pointer with 8:35 on the clock.

The Red Raiders ballooned their lead to 19-9 after Eliza Digiulio's layup with 2:42 remaining, thanks to their 14-6 scoring run.  The Trojans went on to score seven straight points, capped by Tabor Teel's layup to trim their deficit to 19-16 with 1:27 to go in the first quarter.

Olivia Ritter drained a 3-pointer as Dakota State closed their first period trailing 21-19.  The Red Raiders shot 64.3 percent from the field (9-of-14 field goals) in the first ten minutes compared to the Trojans 42.9 percent (6-of-14 field goals).

After a basket by Morgan Baird to put SOU up 23-19 to kick off the second quarter, Dakota State went on a monstrous 14-0 outburst to earn the biggest lead of the game.  Angela Slattery completed a 3-point play with 4:05 to go in the second quarter, giving the Trojans a 34-23 lead.

Southern Oregon closed the second quarter with a 12-3 run in the final 3:04, trimming DSU's lead to 37-35 after three free-throws made by McIntyre. 

DSU shot 54.6 percent from the field in the second quarter (6-of-11 field goals), including 4-of-7 from the 3-point arc.  SOU was held to 26.7 percent field goal shooting (4-of-15 field goals).

Kenzi Simmons hit a 3-ponter for Dakota State 42-38 lead with 8:03 on the clock in the third quarter.  The Red Raiders then went on an 8-2 scoring run to overtake the lead at 46-42 after a basket by Digiulio with 5:41 left.

Southern Oregon maintained their lead for the rest of the third quarter, leading as many as six points.  Dakota State trimmed their deficit to 54-53 with 1:09 left after a layup by Ritter.

Digiulio hit a layup as the Red Raiders closed the third quarter with a 56-53 lead.  SOU outscored DSU 21-16 in the third period.  Southern Oregon was 8-of-19 from the field (42.1 percent) compared to Dakota State 28.6 percent (4-of-14 field goals).

Trailing 66-63 late in the fourth quarter, Dakota State knotted the game at 66-66 as Mackley hit a free-throw with 3:11 remaining and Slattery added a pair of free-throws with 2:48 remaining.

DSU overtook the lead at 67-66 with a free-throw from Teel with less than one minute left.  SOU scored on the next possession with a layup by Baird with 42 seconds to go for a 68-67 lead.

The Trojans couldn't convert their scoring opportunity on the ensuing possession as Meghan McIntrye rebounded for SOU possession.  DSU quickly fouled, sending M. McIntrye to the free-throw line.  She made the first free throw to put the Red Raiders up 69-67 with less than 10 seconds to go.

She missed the second free throw, while the Trojans committed a turnover on the next possession.  The Red Raiders regained possession and were fouled by DSU.  SOU added a free-throw to extend their lead to 70-67 and missed the second free throw, which was rebounded by DSU's Teel and called a timeout with second seconds to go.

The Red Raiders quickly committed a foul on the Trojans, sending Teel to the free-throw line.  She missed the first free-throw and made the second free-throw as DSU trailed 70-68 with less than five seconds left.

A timeout called by the Red Raiders advanced the ball to the half court.  Baird committed a turnover and was stolen by Teel, while Bria Wasmund missed a potential game-winning 3-point shot as time expired.

Both teams struggled offensively in the fourth quarter DSU shooting 28.6 percent from the field (4-of-14 field goals) and SOU shooting 29.4 percent (5-of-17 field goals).

Mackley led the Trojans with 14 points on her 4-of-6 3-points.  Slattery added 11 points and four rebounds.  Teel posted a double-double of 10 points and pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds.  She also stole the ball a career-high six times.  Watkins had eight points and two steals.

Hamtyn Heinz tallied seven points off the bench for DSU.  Simmons added six points and three rebounds.  Ritter scored five points and dished three assists. 

M. McIntyre and Baird each scored 14 points for SOU.  M. McIntyre produced a double-double with 10 rebounds.  She also had seven assists and four steals.  B. McIntyre scored 12 points.  DiGiulio scored 10 points off the bench.

Clara Robbins had six points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Red Raiders.  Emma Schmerbach scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds.

Southern Oregon shot 40 percent from the field (26-of-65 field goals) compared to Dakota State 37.7 percent (20-of-53 field goals).  The Trojans hit 12 3-pointers in 34 tries (35.3 percent, while the Red Raiders were 7-of-19 3-pointers (36.8 percent). 

DSU converted 16-of-24 from the free-throw line (66.7 percent) to SOU 11-of-18 free-throws (61.1 percent).

Southern Oregon outrebounded Dakota State 40-38.