December 20, 2024

LAKE WALES, Fla. – Dakota State (S.D.) used a 21-8 third quarter outburst to use a 37-24 second half run to shake off their slow start on the first day of the Warner (Fla.) Classic, defeating Evangel (Mo.) 65-58 at Turner Athletic Center.  The victory also ballooned the Trojans' winning streak to seven games.

Dakota State, ranked No. 6 in the latest NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, raised their overall record to 9-3.  Evangel, a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, fell to 6-7 and finished the tournament with a 1-1 record (defeated host-team Warner Thursday).

The Trojans wrap up their 2024 slate Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. (Eastern Time)/1 p.m. (Central Time) as they take on Warner at Turner Athletic Center.

(6) Dakota State (S.D.) 65, Evangel (Mo.) 58 – FINAL

The Valors held the Trojans to no field goals in nearly the first five minutes of the game, capping an 8-0 opening lead after Micah Clayton's layup with six minutes and eighteen seconds on the clock.

Dakota State snapped their scoring drought with a 3-pointer from Kenzi Simmons with 5:02 on the clock in the first period (DSU trailed 8-3).

The Trojans used an 8-2 scoring run to trim EU's lead to 10-8 as Angela Slattery drained a 3-pointer with 3:08 remaining in the first.

DSU overtook the lead for the first time in the game at 13-12 after a free-throw by Simmons.  Carson Dillard closed the first period with a layup as the Valors regained their lead at 14-13.

Evangel was 7-of-18 from the field (38.9 percent) in the first ten minutes of the game compared to Dakota State 5-of-17 field goals (29.4 percent).

Both teams traded leads in the first two minutes of the second period before the Valors went on a scoring run.  Trailing 17-16, Evangel went on a 10-0 scoring outburst highlighted by a basket from Lexi Berry for a 26-17 lead with less than five minutes to go in the second.

DSU closed the first half with a layup from Tabor Teel, trailing 34-28.

Evangel outscored Dakota State 20-15 in the second quarter, thanks to their 9-of-15 field goals (60 percent).  The Trojans were 6-of-15 from the field in the second period (40 percent).

After Valors led 38-32 with 7:46 left in the third, the Trojans went on a 7-0 scoring run capped by Teel's 3-point play to regain their lead at 39-38 with 6:17 on the clock.

Down 42-41, DSU closed the third quarter with an 8-0 scoring run fueled by Bria Wasmund's layup to regain the lead at 43-42.  Lilli Mackley hit a pair of free throws near the end of the third quarter, giving the Trojans a 49-42 lead.

Dakota State outscored Evangel 21-8 in the third quarter.  DSU shot 45 percent from the field (9-of-20 field goals) and held EU to 20 percent (3-of-15 field goals).

The Trojans stretched their scoring run to 13-0 in the early fourth quarter.  Slattery drained a 3-pointer followed by a pair of free throws by Wasmund to balloon DSU's lead to 54-42 with 9:04 remaining.

Dakota State maintained their double-digit lead as they produced the game's biggest lead at 59-46 after a 3-point play by Slattery with 5:14 left.

The Valors could get no closer than seven points at 61-54 after a pair of free throws from Ali Kamies with less than two minutes in the game, securing the victory for the Trojans.

Both teams scored 16 points in the final quarter.

Slattery led Dakota State with 17 points and five rebounds.  Teel posted a double-double of 16 points and pulled down 11 rebounds (5 offense).  Wasmund added 13 points and eight rebounds.  Mackley had six points and six rebounds.  Cierra Watkins scored five points.

Wasmund stole the ball two times for DSU.  Teel, Watkins, Olivia Ritter, and Tia Murray each registered a blocked shot.

Clayton contributed a double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds (10 defense) for Valors.  Kamies added 16 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.  Berry scored 12 points, collected four rebounds, and dished out three assists off the bench.  Jazzy Kirby recorded four assists.  Dillard and Resa Martin each had four points.

Dakota State shot 24-of-64 from the field (37.5 percent) compared to Evangel 24-of-62 field goals (38.7 percent).  The Trojans hit 14 free throws in 21 attempts (66.7 percent), while the Valors made 10 free throws in 13 tries (76.9 percent).

DSU outrebounded EU 41-39 in the game.  The Trojans shut down the Valors 7-0 in points off turnovers.