December 9, 2024

MADISON, S.D. – NAIA's nationally-ranked Dakota State (S.D.) shot a scorching 77.8 percent from the field (14-of-18 field goals) in the first quarter Monday late afternoon, racing past NCAA Division III North Central (Minn.) 102-57 at DSU Fieldhouse.  It was season-high points for the Trojans, breaking the previous season high of 101 points against NC's conference foe Minnesota-Morris on Nov. 16.

Dakota State, ranked No. 9 in the latest NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, won their fourth straight games to lift their overall record to 6-3.  North Central remained at 0-8 overall record as they played an exhibition contest.

The Trojans earned their 61^st home victory in the last 66 home contests at DSU Fieldhouse since January 2020.

DSU opens their 15-game North Star Athletic Association schedule Saturday afternoon, hosting No. 18 ranked Mayville State (N.D.).  The tip-off is set for 4 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse.

(9) Dakota State (S.D.) 102, North Central (Minn.) 57 – FINAL

After trading leads through the first four possessions of the game, the Trojans hit 5-of-6 field goals to open a 13-7 lead after a basket by Kenzi Simmons.  The Rams were forced to burn their first timeout of the game with less than seven minutes to go in the first quarter.

Dakota State fueled a 15-4 outburst, thanks to their seven straight field goals made to balloon their lead to 28-11 with a 3-pointer from Simmons (assisted by Bria Wasmund) with 2:56 to go in the first.

Lilli Mackley ended the first quarter with a long 3-pointer that hit the backboard and, in the basket, giving DSU a commanding 36-14 lead.

The Trojans also went 7-of-9 from the 3-point line in the first quarter to build a 22-point lead over the Rams.  North Central was held to 6-of-17 field goals in the first ten minutes of the game (35.3 percent).

Dakota State never trailed for the rest of the game, cruising to a victory.  The Trojans outscored the Rams 22-12 in the second quarter to grab a 58-26 halftime lead.  DSU outscored NCU 23-20 in the third quarter, leading 81-46 after Olivia Ritter's basket by the buzzer.

The Trojans outscored the Rams 21-11 in the final score to round out the final score.

Tabor Teel scored a career-high 26 points on her 11-of-17 from the field for Dakota State.  She was perfect 3-for-3 from the 3-point line.  She also grabbed eight rebounds.  Mackley tied her career-high of 18 points on her 7-of-14 field goals.  She contributed a career-high five assists. 

Simmons scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds off the bench for DSU.  Ritter added 12 points, five rebounds, and four steals.  Tia Murray tallied 11 points, six rebounds, three blocks, and three steals.  Angela Slattery had seven points and eight rebounds.  Wasmund dished out a career-high 11 assists (tied for 10^th most single-game assists in the DSU women's basketball school record book).

Kaitlyn VanderPloeg led the Rams with 16 points and six rebounds.  She had two blocks.  Savi Rael had nine points.  Moriah Landry added six points and six rebounds.  McKenzie Latzke, Jackie Lindsay, Lydia Schroeder, and Alaysia Rusch each scored five points.

Dakota State shot 39-of-82 from the field (47.6 percent), including 14 3-pointers in 36 attempts (38.9 percent).  The Trojans converted 10-of-13 free-throws.  North Central was 21-of-55 from the field (38.2 percent), 6-of-17 3-pointers, and 9-of-11 from the free-throw line.

The Trojans dished out 27 assists in the game, tying for a season-high.in team assists.

DSU outrebounded NCU 54-26, including 25-6 on the offensive boards.  The Trojans outscored the Rams 19-7 in second chance points, 46-29 in bench points, 18-12 off turnovers, and 12-7 in fast break opportunities.