November 7, 2023
This Week's Preview
MADISON, S.D. (Nov. 7, 2023)—The Dakota State University Trojan women's basketball team (1-2 overall record, No. 8 in the NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Top 25 national poll) opens their 2023 home schedule with a three-game home stand at DSU Fieldhouse. The Trojans welcome in-state rival Mount Marty (S.D.) (2-1 overall record) Wednesday evening with a 6 p.m. tip-off.
DSU stays home on Saturday afternoon as they welcome Kansas Wesleyan (1-3 overall record) of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC). The game is set for 3 p.m. The Trojans wrap up their three-game home stand Monday with the Battle of the Blues, sponsored by Bankwest, traveling cup with Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) (1-0 overall record). Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
Dakota State kicked off their challenging schedule, falling to a pair of NAIA's Top 5 ranked teams. The Trojans lost to No. 3 Dordt (Iowa) 90-54 on Nov. 1 at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls. DSU split their two games in the 24th annual Cattle Classic, falling to No. 5 Marian (Ind.) 78-69 on Nov. 3 and defeating Sterling (Kan.) 96-52 on Nov. 4 in Seward, Neb.
Mount Marty suffered its first setback of the season 75-74 on Nov. 4, despite a half court shot at the buzzer by Valley City State (N.D.) at Sanford Pentagon. Dakota Wesleyan defeated VCSU 86-55 at the Corn Palace on Nov. 5. Kansas Wesleyan dropped their third straight game after losing a pair of games in the home classic to Morningside (Iowa) 75-74 on Nov. 3 and Langston (Okla.) 78-65 on Nov. 5.
Up Next: Dakota State (S.D.) concludes their November action as they play in the fourth annual Dakota Clash on Nov. 17-18. This year's host will be at Valley City State (N.D.). The Trojans play the host-team Vikings on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. and No. 22 ranked Mayville State (N.D.) on Nov. 18 at 3 p.m.
This Week's Preview
+ Dakota State (S.D.) plays another three-game slate for the second straight week. The Trojans played three games in four games in their season opening week last week, including a pair of games against NAIA's Top 5 teams.
+ The Trojans play a pair of games against teams from South Dakota and members of the Great Plains Athletic Conference—Mount Marty and Dakota Wesleyan—this week.
+ DSU had won the last four meetings with the Lancers. Dakota State won the most recent meeting with Mount Marty in Yankton last season by the score of 78-49, thanks to their 46-19 second half outbust.
+ The last time Dakota State and Kansas Wesleyan met was on Nov. 11, 2017, at DSU Fieldhouse. The Trojans defeated the Coyotes by the score of 76-64.
+ Dakota State and Dakota Wesleyan women's basketball series had been on hiatus since Dec. 11, 2019. The Tigers won the game at DSU Fieldhouse by the score of 87-79.
+ The Trojans are seeking for their first win over DWU since Nov. 2, 2010, where DSU defeated the Tigers by the score of 78-73 at DSU Fieldhouse.
+ Dakota State's longest home stand is three games this week. The Trojans will also have a three-game home stand from Jan. 19 through Jan. 26 during the North Star Athletic Association play.
Noteworthy...
RAINING 3'S: Dakota State (S.D.) drained a season-high 17 3-pointers during their first win of the season, defeating Sterling (Kan.) by the score of 96-52 on the second day of the Cattle Classic, hosted by Concordia (Neb.) on Nov. 4. Nine different Trojans—
Angela Slattery,
Savannah Walsdorf,
Lilli Mackley,
Morgan Huber,
Caitlin Dyer,
Tabor Teel,
Bria Wasmund,
Cierra Watkins, and
Brooke Gunderson—each had a 3-pointer in the game. Slattery and Huber each hit a total of four three-pointers in the game. It was the most 3-pointers made since Feb. 20, 2023, with 16 3-poitners versus Presentation (S.D.).
SLATTERY NAMED TO CATTLE CLASSIC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM: Angela Slattery of Dakota State was selected to the 24th annual Cattle Classic All-Tournament Team after splitting a pair of games in the tournament. She scored 17 points in both games. Slattery stole a career-high seven times, despite a 78-69 setback to No. 5 ranked Marian (Ind.). She was 11-of-22 (50 percent) from the field in the tournament. Slattery hit 6-of-13 from the 3-point line and averaged 5.0 rebounds per game in the tournament.
DAKOTA STATE IN NORTH STAR RANKS: According to the NAIA-PrestoStats as of Tuesday, Dakota State is third in the league in scoring average with 73.0 points per game. The Trojans are second in the North Star with 31.7 defense rebounds per game. DSU is third in the NSAA in free-throw percentage, hitting 43-of-60 free-throws prior to this week's contests.
Tabor Teel is fourth in the league in field goal percentage with 52.6 percent. She is also ranks 11th in the North Star with 22 rebounds.
Savannah Walsdorf is tied for 15th with 18 rebounds.
Angela Slattery is tied for seventh in the conference with six 3-pointers made.
DAKOTA STATE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL JUNIOR VARSITY UPDATE: The Dakota State University Trojan women's basketball junior varsity team began their 2023-24 season with a setback at Northwestern (Iowa) on Halloween. The Trojans fell short to Dordt (Iowa) 72-66 in their season home opener on Nov. 6. DSU will start their three-game home stand at DSU Fieldhouse versus Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) on Nov. 15, followed by a contest versus Mount Marty (S.D.) on Nov. 30.
(3) Defenders defeat (8) Trojans in NAIA Top 10 contest
Sioux Falls, S.D. (Nov. 1, 2023)—Dordt (Iowa) started the game red-hot shooting from the field, by going 8-of-11 from the field for a 19-3 lead, and never trailed in the game. The Defenders defeated Dakota State (S.D.) 90-54 in the battle of NAIA's Top 10 teams at Sanford Pentagon. It was the season opening game for both teams.
Dordt led 46-20 by halftime and outscored the Trojans 23-15 in the third period to balloon their lead to 69-35. The Defenders edged the Trojans 21-19 in the final quarter.
Tabor Teel posted career-highs of 12 points and nine rebounds off the bench for Dakota State. She was 5-of-7 from the field.
Angela Slattery added nine points and seven rebounds. She collected four steals.
Savannah Walsdorf established a new all-time record in steals with 306, breaking the previous record holder of 305 career steals by Jessica VanLoy from 2004-08.
The Defenders shot 45.3 percent from the field (34-of-75 field goals), including 9-of-19 3-pointers. DSU was held to 29.9 percent from the field (20-of-67 field goals) and hit 3-of-23 3-pointers.
(5) MU holds off (8) DSU in NAIA Women's Basketball Top 10 battle
Seward, Neb. (Nov. 5, 2023)—No. 8 ranked Dakota State (S.D.) faced another NAIA's Top 5 ranked teams on the same week, taking on No. 5 Marian (Ind.) of the Crossroads League on the first day of the Cattle Classic at Friedrich Arena. The Knights held off the Trojans in a tight contest by the score of 78-69.
Marian held a 16-12 lead after the first quarter, while Dakota State trimmed their lead down to three points by halftime at 30-27. MU maintained their lead between three– and-seven-points. The Knights led 54-48 by the end of the third quarter. DSU could get no closer than three points in the fourth quarter and fell short.
Angela Slattery led the Trojans with 17 points and stole the ball a career-high seven times.
Savannah Walsdorf and
Caitlin Dyer each added 11points. Walsdorf and Tabor each pulled down six rebounds. Teel had eight points.
Marian shot 55.6 percent from the field (30-of-54 field goals) compared to Dakota State 36.7 percent (22-of-60 field goals). The Trojans hit 19-of-24 free-throws (79.2 percent), while the Knights were 15-of-22 free-throws (68.2 percent). MU outrebounded DSU 38-30. Both teams scored 13 points off turnovers.
(8) Trojans erupt for season high in first victory
Seward, Neb. (Nov. 4, 2023)—No. 8 Dakota State (S.D.) poured in a season-high 96 points in their first victory of the season, routing Sterling (Kan.) 96-52 on the second day of the Cattle Classic at Friedrich Arena. The Trojans drained a season-high 17 3-pointers in the game, while the Warriors were just 0-of-1 from the 3-point arc.
DSU led 22-15 after the first ten minutes and went on an 11-0 outburst to start the second quarter for a 33-15 lead with 8:10 to go. The Trojans never trailed in the game, ballooning their lead to 55-22 after a 33-7 second quarter outburst. Dakota State outscored Sterling 41-30 in the final twenty minutes of the game.
All five Dakota State starters scored in the game, led by
Angela Slattery with 17 points on her 6-of-10 field goals and 4-of-7 from the 3-point arc. She also pulled down five rebounds and dished out four assists.
Savannah Walsdorf added 14 points and eight rebounds. She was 6-of-6 at the free-throw line and stole the ball five times.
Lilli Mackley had 13 points.
Morgan Huber scored 12 points. Caitlyn Dyer had 11 points.
Dakota State was 48.5 percent from the field (33-of-68 field goals), including 17-of-39 from the 3-point line. Sterling shot 39 percent (23-of-59 field goals). DSU outscored SC 31-12 in points off turnovers.
2023-24 Dakota State Women's Basketball Team Leaders
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