December 15, 2024

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) roared back from 15 points down early in the third quarter and eight points down in the middle fourth quarter, holding off Valley City State (N.D.) 67-61 in the North Star Athletic Association women's basketball action at DSU Fieldhouse Sunday afternoon.  The Trojans extended their winning streak to six games and remained undefeated in the NSAA conference play.

Dakota State, ranked No. 6 in the latest NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, lifted their overall record to 8-3 and 2-0 NSAA conference record.  The Trojans played their final home game of the 2024 calendar year, holding a 4-1 record at DSU Fieldhouse this season.  Valley City State fell to 8-6 overall record and 0-2 record in the league.

Dakota State steps out of their conference action Tuesday evening, playing an exhibition contest at NCAA Division I South Dakota State.  The game will be held at First Bank & Trust Arena with a 7 p.m. tip-off.

(6) Dakota State (S.D.) 67, Valley City State (N.D.) 61 – FINAL

Dakota State and Valley City State struggled offensively in the first ten minutes of the game, going through four lead changes.  The Vikings opened a 13-8 lead after a basket by Ashlyn Diemert.

Tia Murray closed the first quarter with a pair of free-throws as DSU trailed 13-10.  VCSU was 6-of-18 from the field (33.3 percent) in the first ten minutes of the game and held DSU to 3-of-12 field goals (25 percent).

After a 3-poitner by Lilli Mackley as the Trojans trailed 15-13, the Vikings made three straight baskets as part of their 8-0 scoring run for the first double digit lead of the game.  Diemert drained a 3-pointer as Valley City State ballooned their lead to 23-13.

The Trojans trimmed their deficit down to five points at 25-20 after a pair of free-throws by Tabor Teel with 3:10 left before halftime.

VCSU closed the second quarter with a 9-3 scoring run, capped by a pair of free throws by Abby Aslesen for a 34-23 halftime lead.

Valley City State outscored Dakota State 21-13 in the second period, thanks to their 8-of-12 field goals (66.7 percent).  The Trojans were held to 4-of-19 field goals (21.1 percent) in the second quarter.

JayCee Richter and Aslesen sparked the Vikings to the biggest lead of the game to start the third quarter with back-to-back baskets, expanding their lead to 38-23 with 8:11 on the clock.

Murray then went on to score six straight points for the Trojans, trimming their deficit to 38-29 after a layup with less than six minutes to go in the third.

The Vikings then stretched their lead to 14 points at 43-29 with 4:11 to go after Elyse Hebrink's basket after DSU's turnover.

DSU held VCSU scoreless for the rest of the third quarter, fueling an 11-0 monstrous scoring run.  Murray closed the third quarter with a basket (assisted by Kenzi Simmons) as DSU trailed 43-40.

Dakota State outscored Valley City State 17-9 in the third period. 

The Trojans extended their scoring run to 13-0 to start the fourth quarter, tying the game at 43-43 after a 3-pointer by Simmons (assisted by Mackley) with 9:48 to go.

Valley City State regained their lead, leading as many as eight points at 56-48 after Richter's basket with 5:19 remaining.

Dakota State roared back with a 14-3 scoring run, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Bria Wasmund (assisted by Simmons) to grab a 62-59 lead with 1:50 left.

After Richter hit a pair of free throws as the Vikings trailed 62-61 with less than 50 seconds to, Wasmund hit a clutch 3-pointer with 17.5 seconds remaining for 65-61 DSU lead.

The Vikings called a timeout to advance the ball to half court and committed a turnover, stolen by DSU's Wasmund.  VCSU committed a foul, sending Wasmund to the free throw line to add two more points to secure the victory.

Dakota State outscored Valley City State 27-18 in the final quarter.  The Trojans were 8-of-16 from the field (50 percent), 5-of-12 from the 3-point arc, and 6-of-6 from the free-throw line in the final ten minutes of the game.  VCSU was 5-of-12 from the field, 0-of-2 from the 3-point line, and 8-of-12 free-throws.

Murray poured in a season-high 18 points on her 7-of-10 field goals and made all four free-throws for DSU.  She also registered three blocks and grabbed seven rebounds.  Wasmund added 11 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.  Angela Slattery had 11 points, nine rebounds, and two assists.  Both Wasmund and Slattery each stole the ball twice.

Simmons tallied 12 points and five assists off the bench for DSU.  Mackley registered nine points, seven rebounds, and two blocks.  Cierra Watkins stole the ball three times and collected three rebounds.  Olivia Ritter dished out four assists.

Aslesen led the Vikings with 22 points and seven rebounds.  Diemert added 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists.  Richter scored 11 points, collected four rebounds and contributed three assists.  Hebrink had seven rebounds and two blocks.  Ellie Braaten had seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and four points. 

VCSU shot 41.8 percent overall from the field (23-of-55 field goals) compared to DSU 31.9 percent (22-of-69 field goals).  The Trojans hit 11 3-pointers in 44 tries, while the Vikings were 3-of-8 3-pointers. 

Dakota State was perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line, while Valley City State missed five free throws with 12 free throws made (12-of-17 free throws).

The Trojans outrebounded the Vikings 43-38, including 18-10 on the offensive boards.  DSU outscored VCSU 16-4 in second chance points and 30-6 in bench points.