February 21, 2025

JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) shot a blazing 61.1 percent from the field in the first ten minutes of the game, using a fast start to defeat Jamestown (N.D.) 73-63 in the North Star Athletic Association Women's Basketball action at Harold Newman Arena Friday evening.  The victory also completed the NSAA's' 3-game series sweep for the Trojans over the Jimmies.

Dakota State, ranked No. 8 in the latest edition of the NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, won for the 19^th time in the last 20 games (won four straight games).  The Trojans raised their overall record to 21-4 and 13-1 NSAA conference record.  Jamestown, receiving votes recognition in the national poll, fell to 17-8 overall record and 7-7 record in the league (clinched the No. 3 seed for the upcoming postseason tournament). 

DSU closes out their regular season schedule Saturday afternoon, traveling to Dickinson State (N.D.) for another North Star contest.  The tip-off is set for 4 p.m. (Central Time)/3 p.m. (Mountain Time) at Scott Gymnasium in Dickinson, N.D.

(8) Dakota State (S.D.) 73, (RV) Jamestown (N.D.) 63 – FINAL

Jamestown took the first lead of the game at 2-0 with a basket by Hanah Hagel with nine minutes and twenty-two seconds on the clock.

Cierra Watkins kicked off the Trojans' 7-0 scoring run with a basket followed by five straight points by Lilli Mackley.  Mackley drained a 3-pointer to give DSU a 7-2 lead with 8:14 on the clock in the first.

At 9-6, Dakota State scored five straight points with a 3-pointer from Kenzi Simmons and a basket by Angelina Chapple for a 14-6 lead with 6:24 to go in the first period.

Kate Cordes hit a pair of free throws as Jamestown trimmed DSU's lead to 16-13.

The Trojans closed the first quarter with a 9-0 scoring run in the final 2:26, capped by a basket from Mackley for a 25-13 lead.

Dakota State shot 11-of-18 from the field and held the Jimmies to 36.4 percent from the field (4-of-11 field goals).

Both teams struggled to find their offense rhythm in the second quarter, where they did not score for more than three minutes.  The Trojans led as many as 13 points at 30-17 after a 3-pointer from Angela Slattery (assisted by Bria Wasmund) with 5:24 to go in the second.

Kate Busek closed the second quarter with a basket as the Jimmies cut DSU's lead to 34-27 by halftime.

UJ outscored DSU 14-9 in the second period.  The Jimmies shot 6-of-15 from the field in the final ten minutes of the first half and held the Trojans to 4-of-15 field goals.

Samanth Paulsen opened with a 3-pointer as Jamestown trailed 34-30 with 8:40 to go in the third quarter.

Dakota State answered with a 10-3 scoring outburst, capped by a 3-pointer from Wasmund (assisted by Mackley) for a 44-33 and forced Jamestown to call a timeout with 6:45 in the third.

The Trojans maintained their lead between nine- and 12-points for the remainder of the third quarter.  Tabor Teel hit a layup by the end of the third, giving DSU a 53-43 lead.

DSU outscored UJ 19-16 in the third period.

Dakota State posted the biggest lead of the game at 67-51 after Chapple's basket (assisted by Slattery) with 4:18 left and never trailed.

The Jimmies could get no closer than eight points at 69-61 with 1:49 remaining after Cordes' basket.

Both teams scored 20 points in the final quarter. 

Slattery paced the Trojans with 18 points on 7-of-9 field goals, including 4-of-6 from the 3-point line.  She had four rebounds.  Teel added 14 points and six rebounds.  She stole the ball three times.  Watkins tallied nine points and three rebounds.  She had two steals.

Mackley recorded seven points, four rebounds, and three assists for Dakota State.  Wasmund scored four points, grabbed a career-high nine rebounds, and contributed five assists.  Chapple scored nine points and collected six rebounds off the bench.  Simmons and Olivia Ritter each had six points.  Ritter scored the ball two times.

Cordes led the Jimmies with 21 points, four rebounds, and four assists.  Busek added nine points and five rebounds.  Jayden Wiest scored nine points off the bench.  Hagel and Paulsen each scored six points.  Jessika Lofstrom collected seven rebounds.

Dakota State shot 47.5 percent overall from the field (28-of-59 field goals) and 7-of-22 3-pointers.  Jamestown shot 44.4 percent from the field (24-of-54 field goals) and 9-of-22 3-pointers. 

DSU converted 9-of-19 free throws to UJ 6-of-9 free throws.

The Trojans outrebounded the Jimmies 38-29.