DSU Basketball Battles Tough Versus Mayville State

After a mid-Jauary Blizzard set back DSU’s scheduled games this weekend, Nationally Ranked Mayville State visited Madison last night instead of Friday night. The Women’s game was a thriller to the final play while the Men’s game was tight in the first half before MSU took over. 

Mayville State’s Women’s squad came in ranked 16th in the lastest NAIA Divison II standings and got all they could handle against an improving DSU side. It was a physical game throughout, Dakota State led 17-12 after one quarter and Mayville State held the lead at half, 31-30. The two sides continued the prize fight in the third, with the game squared away at 44 heading into the final 10 minutes. Mayville State jumped out to an early advantage in the fourth but could not put away DSU. 

The visiting Comets led by five points with just a few minutes left, but the Trojans crawled within one on a late steal from Jessi Giles and a bucket from Olivia Breske to make it a one point game, 65-64 with under 20 seconds left. MSU got one of two free throws  and DSU pushed the ball up the court, a couple of passes got the ball down-low to Morgan Koepsell who had a look from the left side of the bucket but couldn’t hit and the horn sounded, 66-64 Mayville. 

Koepsell finished with 20 points and 8 rebounds, Giles poured in 11 points and picked up 8 rebounds and Savannah Walsdorf recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Dakota State Women will be back in action on Wednesday evening, hosting Mount Marty in their final non-conference game of the season. 

The DSU Men, playing without the services of four of their regulars, battled the number 24 Comets but in the end fell 78-68. DSU used a methodical offense throughout the game and led for most of the first half before Mayville had a 37-34 halftime lead. MSU would come out strong in the second half and gained a double digit lead within the first couple of minutes and built that lead by as much as 23 points before the Trojans crawled back within 10. 

Anthony Costello had a big night, dropping in 38 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, his second straight double-double. He also tied for the 10th most points in a game in DSU history, tying Rick Dunlap’s number from the 86-87 season. DSU Men back in action Friday versus Waldorf University.  

Saturday’s postponed games versus Presentation College has yet to have a make-up date. We will pass the details along when made available.