Trojans Dominate Dakota State Classic; Set Season-High Mark in Assists Twice

The #15 Women’s Basketball team kept their winning streak in the DSU Fieldhouse alive after a pair of wins in the Dakota State Classic.

The Trojans improved to 8-2 overall and are now on an eight game winning streak. Also now on a 20-game home winning streak dating back to the 2021-2022 season. DSU hasn’t lost at home since Jan. 22, 2022.

Day 1

On Friday, it was a win against College of the Ozarks that kicked things off. Taking down the Bobcats 99-85, recording a season-high scoring mark and a season-high assist total of 24 in the game. It was the fourth time this season that the Trojans scored at least 90 points. The Trojans held the Bobcats to just 18.8% on 3-for-16 from three.

The Bobcats stayed within range throughout the game due to the stellar play of a couple of their star players. Kayley Frank led all scorers with 35 points on 50% from the field. Susanna Moran posted a 21-point & 18-rebound double-double for the Bobcats. Reeling in 12 of her rebounds in the first half.

DSU had seven different players in double figures. They were led by Savannah Walsdorf who posted her first double-double of the season with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Angela Slattery added a double-double as well with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Lilli Mackley and Morgan Huber posted 15 points each, followed by Olivia Ritter who had a career-high 14 points off the bench. Caitlin Dyer posted 11 points and Cierra Watkins added 10.

As a team, the Trojans shot 47.1% from the field and 38.3% from deep. DSU dominated in scoring off the bench, 28-2. Half of those bench points came from Ritter.

Day 2

On Saturday, the Trojans won 91-47, but began slow against Haskell. Allowing a 7-0 run to begin the game as the Indians unexpectedly sped up the Trojans and they had to adjust. Which, they did, and quickly. Tabor Teel ended the run with a corner three and then it was off to the races. Dakota State allowed just 40 points from the Indians the rest of the game.

The Indians were led by Mahpiya Irving with 11 points – nine of which came in the first half. She was the only Haskell player in double figures. Tea Murray added eight points alongside Irving. The Indians committed 26 turnovers in the game – 16 of which were steals by the Trojans. Haskell shot 31% or below from the field and from three. DSU won the rebound battle 44-31 and led in second chances points 19-3.

A dominant all around effort from the Trojans. After setting their season-high assist mark on Friday, they eclipsed it again on Saturday against Haskell with 26. The Trojans averaged 25 assists per game in the Dakota State Classic. DSU shot a season-high 52.4% from the field, as well as 40.5% percent from beyond the arc.

Walsdorf led the Trojans in rebounding with a season-high 13 rebounds and added 10 points for back-to-back double-doubles. She also had a game-high five steals. Dyer led the scoring effort with 17 points and five made threes. Mackley posted 13 points of her own. Tabor Teel helped the dominant defensive effort with a career-high four blocks.

The Trojans averaged 95 points per game in the Dakota State Classic.

Next Game

Dakota State will be on break for finals week and return to the court Dec. 13 when they travel to Mitchell, SD to face the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers for the second time this season.