Mackley’s Fourth Quarter Helps Lead Trojans to Sole Possession of First Place

After their win against Mayville State, the Dakota State Trojans women’s basketball team is sitting alone in first place in the North Star Conference standings. The two teams were tied for first heading into the matchup.

It took a few minutes to get on the board, with both teams starting the game aggressively, but the Trojans finally got on the board two and half minutes into the game. The Trojans captured the lead at 11-10, and finished the first quarter scoring seven unanswered points to take a 18-10 lead into the second. 

DSU continued to add to their lead early in the second quarter before MSU tried to spring a run together to get back within single-digits at 23-15. The Trojans answered with yet another six-point run to extend their lead to 29-15.

The Trojans took a 34-21 lead into halftime.

The Comets took advantage of the Trojans early second half struggles, going on an eight point run to open up the half, and eventually got back within three points of the Trojans at 36-33. Despite the struggles, the Trojans still took a 41-35 lead into the final quarter.

In the final quarter, Lilli Mackley took control of the game, scoring the first 12 points of the quarter, getting three-pointers, free throws, and shots inside the paint during her run. 

Mackley’s performance early in the quarter ballooned the Trojans lead to 53-35, and from the DSU maintained control of the rest of the game, as they outscored MSU 26-14 in the final quarter. 

Mackley contributed 15 total points in the quarter, finishing the game with a career-high 18 points on her 5-of-10 field goals, including 4-of-7 3-pointers, and made all four free-throws for the Trojans.  

Elsie Aslesen nearly recorded a double-double after scoring 16 points and pulling down nine rebounds.

Angela Slattery scored 13 points off the bench for DSU and had three rebounds and two assists.  Morgan Huber and Sindey Fick each added six points. Fick had eight rebounds, two blocks, and two steals.

Caitlin Dyer dished out a season-high nine assists for Dakota State. Courtney Menning added six assists and stole the ball four times. Savannah Walsdorf collected a game-high 10 rebounds.

Jordan Zrust sparked the Comets with a game-high 27 points and her 10-of-20 field goals and 7-of-9 free-throws. She also pulled down nine rebounds.

Dakota State shot 33.8 percent from the field (22-of-65 field goals) compared to Mayville State 36.2 percent (17-of-47 field goals). The Trojans hit 13 3-pointers in 34 attempts while the Comets were held to 2-of-17 3-pointers. 

MSU converted 13-of-15 free-throws, while DSU was perfect at the free-throw line, making all 10 free-throw attempts.

DSU outscored MSU 21-13 in points off turnovers and 22-3 in bench points.

The Trojans swept the season series meeting with the Comets this season (3-0 record), including the victory in the annual Dakota Clash last November. DSU extended its winning streak to ten games in the series meeting with MSU.

Dakota State raised their overall record to 20-5, the third straight season that the Trojans reached at least 20 wins. The Trojans now own the sole possession for first place in the North Star standings with a 10-1 record. Mayville State’s six-game winning streak came to an end, falling to 17-5 overall record and 9-2 NSAA conference record..

The Trojans stayed undefeated at home this season (10-0 record) and earned their 41st win in the last 44 home games at DSU Fieldhouse – including 13 straight home games – since the 2019-20 season.

Dakota State takes their final NSAA road trip this weekend, visiting Dickinson State Friday at 6:30pm CT/5:30pm MT and Valley City State on Saturday at 3pm CT.  Games this weekend can be heard on FM 103.1 or at AmazingMadison.com.