November 13, 2024

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – It was the tale of four quarters between nationally-ranked women's basketball teams of Dakota State (S.D.) and Dordt (Iowa) Wednesday evening at Sanford Sports Complex at the Pentagon.  The Trojans outscored the Defenders in the first and third quarters, while DU outscored DSU in the second and fourth quarters.  Dordt held off Dakota State 79-76 in the NAIA's Top 10 thriller.

Dakota State, who is ranked No. 7 in the first edition of the NAIA Women's Basketball Top 25 national poll first edition which was announced Wednesday morning, fell to 2-3 overall record.  The Trojans were playing their fourth NAIA Top 10 team.  Dordt, the NAIA national defending champion and No. 1 ranked team in the NAIA, stayed undefeated with an overall record of 4-0.

The Trojans return home Saturday afternoon for a non-conference action against NCAA Division III Minnesota-Morris.  The tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse in Madison, S.D.

(1) Dordt (Iowa) 79, (7) Dakota State (S.D.) 76 – FINAL

Dakota State kept Dordt scoreless in the first three-and-half minutes of the game, opening a 6-0 lead after a pair of free-throws by Angela Slattery.  Cierra Watkins and Bria Wasmund opened the game with a pair of baskets for the Trojans.

The Trojans maintained their lead for the rest of the first quarter, leading 21-13 by the end of the period thanks to Slattery's 3-pointer when time expired (assisted by Wasmund).

DSU was 43.8 percent from the field (7-of-16 field goals) and held DU to 38.5 percent (5-of-13 field goals) in the first ten minutes.

Dakota State led as many as 10 points three times in the early second quarter, with the last occasion at 27-17 after a basket by Slattery. 

The Defenders used a 20-5 furious outburst to rally back in the final 7:36 of the second period.  Dordt scored four points in the final two seconds, capped by Brooke Smith's 3-pointer to give Dordt a 37-32 halftime lead.

DU was 10-of-17 from the field (58.8 percent) in the second quarter, outscoring DSU 28-11.  The Trojans were held to 5-of-16 field goals (31.3 percent).

Dakota State kicked off the third period with a 5-0 run, contributed by Tabor Teel and Wasmund.  Tabor opened with a basket (assisted by Wasmund followed by a 3-pointer by Wasmund (assisted by Teel) to knot the game at 37-37 with 8:44 on the clock.

Both teams traded leads or tied the game throughout the third quarter.  Trailing 55-54, Lilli Mackley sparked DSU's 6-0 scoring run with a three-pointer and added a free-throw at the end for a 60-55 lead.

Dakota State outscored Dordt 28-18 in the third quarter, fueled by 11-of-19 field goal shooting (57.9 percent) and 4-of-7 from the 3-point line.  The Defenders were held to 5-of-15 field goals (33.3 percent).

The Trojans led between two- and six-points halfway through the fourth quarter.  Wasmund hit a basket to give DSU a 65-59 lead with 6:23 to go.  The Defenders then scored six straight points to tie the game at 65-65 after a basket by Macy Sievers with 4:39 remaining.

Dakota State earned their last lead of the game at 72-70 when Wasmund drained a 3-pointer (assisted by Teel) with 2:07 left. 

Tied at 74-74, Janie Van Donge completed a 3-point play to give the Defenders a 77-74 lead with less than a minute to go.  The Trojans committed an offensive foul on the ensuing possession, followed by another offensive foul called by the Defenders on the next possession.

Watkins drove for a layup as the Trojans trimmed their deficit to 77-76 with nearly 15 seconds left in the game.  After a timeout called by DU to advance the ball to halfcourt, Olivia Harazin added a free-throw to put DU up 78-76.  She missed the second free throw attempt and was rebounded by Wasmund with less than 13 seconds left to advance the ball.

The Trojans missed an opportunity to tie the game on the next possession and was rebounded by Van Donge with less than three seconds left and was fouled, sending her to the free-throw line.  She hit the first round for 79-76 lead and missed the second free-throw.  Mackley rebounded the ball and called a timeout with advance the ball with 2.1 seconds to go. 

Dakota State was unable to shoot on the final possession as Dordt secured a thrilling victory.

The Defenders outscored the Trojans 24-16 in the final quarter.  DU was 8-of-13 from the field (61.5 percent) and 8-of-12 free throws.  DSU hit 5-of-15 field goals (33.3 percent) and 5-of-9 at the free throw line.

Four DSU players scored in double digits, led by Wasmund with 17 points.  She was 7-of-12 from the field.  She also grabbed five rebounds and dished three assists.  Slattery added 16 points and five rebounds.  Watkins scored 15 points on her 6-of-9 field goals and made all three free throw attempts.  Teel had 12 points and six rebounds.  She contributed three assists.

Mackley tallied seven rebounds and stole the ball four times for Dakota State.  Kenzi Simmons had six points and two steals.  Tia Murray had four rebounds and two blocks.

Van Donge poured in 27 points on her 8-of-16 field goals and hit 11-of-14 free-throws for the Defenders.  She posted a double-double with 10 rebounds.  Sievers fell one assist shy for a triple-double, recording 18 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists.  She stole the ball three times.  Desta Hoogendoorn scored 13 points off the bench on her 6-of-9 field goals.  She had five rebounds.

Ellie Lems scored six points for the Defenders.  Harazin and Hoogendoorn each stole the ball twice.

Dakota State shot 42.4 percent overall from the field (28-of-66 field goals).  Dordt was 48.3 percent from the field (28-of-58 field goals).  The Trojans were 6-of-22 from the 3-point arc compared to the Defenders 3-of-9 3-pointers. 

DU converted 20 free throws in 28 attempts (71.4 percent).  DSU hit 14 free throws in 23 attempts (60.9 percent).

The Defenders outrebounded the Trojans 43-34.  DSU outscored DU 13-10 in second chance points.  Dordt scored 44 points inside the paint compared to Dakota State 42 points inside the paint.

There were a total of nine lead changes and seven ties recorded in the game.