February 16, 2024

MADISON, S.D. – NAIA's nationally-ranked Dakota State (S.D.) was red-hot from the 3-point line in the first half Friday evening in the North Star Athletic Association women's basketball contest with Valley City State (N.D.) at DSU Fieldhouse.  The Trojans hit 13 3-pointers, including 10 3-pointers in the first quarter, and never trailed for a 106-49 victory over the Vikings.

Dakota State, who is ranked No. 10 in the latest NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, scored the highest first-half with 70 total points.  The Trojans earned their 13^th straight victory in the series meeting and completed the NSAA season series sweep of the Vikings, with both meetings scoring in 100-plus points (defeated VCSU 104-67 in Valley City, N.D. on Jan. 12). 

The Trojans eclipsed their season-high in total points with 106 points Friday (previous was 104 points at Valley City State).

DSU raised their overall record to 22-5 and 10-1 record in the North Star conference.  VCSU fell to 12-13 overall record and 6-5 NSAA conference record.

Savannah Walsdorf was honored prior to the women's basketball game as the all-time scoring leader in Dakota State women's basketball program history.  She surpassed the previous record holder by Jessi Giles on Feb. 9 at Mayville State (N.D.).

The Trojans look to secure their fourth consecutive North Star Athletic Association regular-season title Saturday afternoon, hosting Dickinson State (N.D.) with a tip-off at 3 p.m.  There will be a senior's ceremony after the conclusion of the women's game.

(10) Dakota State (S.D.) 106, Valley City State (N.D.) 49 – FINAL

Despite missing the first 3-pointer of the game, Dakota State erupted for seven consecutive 3-point field goals made in the first four-plus minutes.  Caitlin Dyer ignited the 3-pointer barrages with back-to-back 3-pointers for DSU 6-0 lead with 8:47 on the clock.

Adriana Torres scored the first basket on the ensuing possession with 8:30 to go in the first period (DSU led 6-2).

Angela Slattery fueled Dakota State's 15-0 outburst with a 3-pointer, followed by Dyer's third consecutive 3-point field goals made.  The Trojans continued their scoring surge with a 3-pointer from Walsdorf and Lilli Mackley.

Walsdorf capped DSU's offensive explosion with a 3-pointer to balloon their lead to 21-2 with 5:39 to go in the first quarter.

Walsdorf highlighted with another all-time school record during the scoring run.  She surpassed Julie Fiegen's all-time rebounds with 954 rebounds (from 1982-86) with 7:06 to go in the first quarter.

Dakota State finished the first quarter with 10 3-pointers, widening their lead to 38-8 after Bria Wasmund's layup to end the first quarter.  The Trojans shot a sizzling 70 percent from the field (14-of-20 field goals) and held the Vikings to 17.6 percent from the field (3-of-17 field goals).

DSU held VCSU scoreless in the first five minutes of the second quarter, paving an 18-0 outburst.  Tabor Teel capped the scoring run with a layup to give the Trojans a 56-8 lead with 5:10 to go before halftime.

The Vikings ended their scoring drought with 4:52 to go after a basket by JayCee Richter (DSU led 56-10).

Slattery drained a 3-pointer to end the second quarter as Dakota State's lead grew to 70-18 by halftime.  The Trojans were 26-of-44 from the field (59.1 percent) in the first twenty minutes, including 13-of-25 3-pointers (52 percent).  VCSU was held to 20.7 percent from the field (6-of-29 field goals and did not make a 3-pointer.

Dakota State led 88-32 after three quarters.  The Trojans hit the largest lead of the game at 104-35 after a 3-pointer from Kristine Biniek (assisted by Macey Wathen) with less than five minutes to go in the game.

Walsdorf poured in a game-high 25 points on her 7-of-14 field goals and hit 8-of-10 free-throws for the Trojans.  She added seven rebounds and stole the ball four times.  Dyer scored a career-high 20 points after going 7-of-9 from the field, 4-of-6 from the 3-point arc and made both free-throws.  She had three rebounds and three steals.

Slattery added 18 points on her 7-of-10 field goals, including 4-of-7 from the 3-point arc for DSU.  She grabbed seven rebounds.  Miakken Vincent scored a career-high 11 points off the bench, highlighted by three consecutive 3-pointers within a minute in the fourth quarter.  She pulled down five rebounds (tied career-high for the ninth time).

Teel tallied nine points, six rebounds, and four blocks for Dakota State.  Cierra Watkins contributed a season-high four assists.  Morgan Huber stole the ball a season-high four times.  Olivia Ritter had four points and five rebounds.  Wasmund registered five points and four assists.

Richter led the Vikings with 12 points.  Olivia Backus scored nine points off the bench.  Torres collected six rebounds.

Dakota State shot 50.7 percent overall from the field (37-of-73 field goals), including 17-of-38 from the 3-point arc.  Valley City State was limited to 24.2 percent from the field (16-of-66 field goals) and 3-of-13 3-pointers.

DSU converted 15-of-20 from the free-throw line (75 percent).  VCSU hit 14-of-16 free-throws (87.5 percent).

Dakota State outrebounded Valley City State 47-41.  The Trojans outscored the Vikings 18-6 in second-chance points.

DSU outscored VCSU 16-0 in transition points, 30-4 in points off turnovers, 40-22 inside the paint and 38-27 in bench points.
 

Savannah Walsdorf - Current DSU All-Time Scorer in women's basketball program history