November 30, 2024

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Holding a slim one-point lead heading in the fourth quarter Saturday evening at RVSC-Allee Gym, the ninth-ranked Dakota State (S.D.) pulled away past (RV) Morningside (Iowa) for a 78-68 non-conference women's basketball victory.  The Trojans outscored the Mustangs 24-15 in the fourth period, earning their third straight victory in the series meeting and their first road victory at Morningside.

Dakota State, who is 3-0 record on the road this season, wrapped up the month of November, facing the toughest schedule in the NAIA after facing six teams that are ranked (four teams ranked inside the NAIA's Top 10) or received votes in the national poll.  The Trojans lifted their overall record to 5-3 after their third consecutive win.  DSU also finished with a 3-2 record against members of the Great Plains Athletic Conference during the month of November.

Morningside, receiving votes in the latest edition of the NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, fell to 4-4 overall record.

Dakota State kicks off their three-game homestand on Monday, Dec. 9, as they host NCAA Division III North Central (Minn.).  The game is set for 4 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse in Madison, S.D.

(9) Dakota State (S.D.) 78, (RV) Morningside (Iowa) 68 – FINAL

The Trojans grabbed the first lead of the game at 2-0 after Cierra Watkins' Layup (assisted by Tabor Teel) with nine minutes, forty-seven seconds on the clock.  The Mustangs answered with a 3-pionter from Alexis Spier on the next possession to overtake a 3-2 lead with 9:34 to go in the first.

Both teams went through a tight first period, with the lead no greater than four points at 6-2 after a 3-pointer by MU's Jaeden Webb with less than eight minutes to go.

Dakota State and Morningside traded leads or tied the game for the remaining first quarter.  Kenzi Simmons drained a 3-pointer (assisted by Lilli Mackley) to give DSU a 16-15 lead with 1:49 left in the first.  Sam Ehlers answered with a basket on the ensuing possession as MU regained their lead to 17-16.

The Mustangs shot 7-of-17 from the field in the first ten minutes (41.2 percent) compared to the Trojans 6-of-17 field goals (35.3 percent).

After struggling in the first few minutes of the second quarter, DSU erupted for an 18-3 outburst to earn the biggest lead of the game.  Angela Slattery and Simmons hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cap the Trojans' scoring run for a 34-20 lead with 4:12 to go before halftime.

Bria Wasmund hit a pair of free-throws as Dakota State held on to a 41-31 halftime lead.

The Trojans outscored the Mustangs 25-14 in the second quarter.  DSU shot 7-of-17 field goals and made all seven free throw attempts in the second period and held MU to 38.5 percent (5-of-13 field goals) and 4-of-7 free throws.

Morningside went on a 17-6 run to tie the game to 48-48 after a 3-point play by Dani Peterson with 3:14 to go in the third quarter.

Dakota State held a slim 54-53 lead after three quarters, despite being outscored by Morningside 22-13 in the third period.  MU was 6-of-14 from the field (42.9 percent), including 4-of-5 3-pointers, and hit 6-of-7 free-throws in the third quarter.  DSU was 5-of-15 field goals and 3-of-7 3-pointers.

The Trojans maintained their lead for the rest of the game.  The Trojans kicked off the fourth quarter with five straight points from Slattery to extend their lead to 59-53 with 9:27 remaining.

Morningside could get no closer than one point at 67-66 after Ehlers' basket with 2:15 remaining.

DSU closed the game with an 11-2 scoring run in the final 1:57 of the game, thanks to their 6-of-10 free-throws in the final 1:05.  The Mustangs committed three turnovers and were held to one field goal in the final 1:57.

Dakota State shot 7-of-16 from the field and hit 10-of-15 free-throws in the fourth quarter.  Morningside was held to 4-of-12 field goals (33.3 percent) and 6-of-10 free-throws.

Four Trojans scored in double digits, led by Slattery with 17 points.  She was 7-of-15 from the field and grabbed eight rebounds.  She stole the ball four times and dished out three assists.  Watkins tallied 14 points and stole the ball six times (tied career high).  Wasmund scored 13 points (8-of-12 at the free-throw line) and contributed three assists.    

Simmons scored 13 points off the bench for DSU.  Teel had nine points and collected eight rebounds.  Tia Murray had six points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. 

Spier led the Mustangs with 18 points and five rebounds.  She had three steals.  Ehlers scored 14 points off the bench (5-of-7 field goals).  Lily Vollertsen had nine points and five rebounds.  Ella Wraggen tallied eight points and nine rebounds.  Webb scored eight points and collected four rebounds.  Jordyn Carr had five assists.  Chaise Pfanstiel added four assists.

Dakota State shot 38.5 percent overall from the field (25-of-65 field goals) and 9-of-36 3-pointers.  The Trojans were 19-of-25 at the free-throw line.  Morningside shot 39.3 percent (22-of-56 field goals) and 7-of-19 from the 3-point arc.  The Mustangs hit 17-of-28 free throws.

The Mustangs had a slim rebounding edge, outrebounding the Trojans 41-40. 

DSU outscored MU 24-11 in points off turnovers and 10-0 in transition points.  Both teams scored 22 points off the bench.