No. 6 Trojans escape with 69-66 win over Bruins

Box Score
NSAA Standings

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- In a game that featured eight ties and 11 lead changes and neither team leading by more than eight points, sixth-ranked Dakota State University escaped with a 69-66 victory over Bellevue University in North Star Athletic Association action at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center Friday night. 

The loss dropped the Bruins to 10-8 on the season and 2-4 in the NSAA. DSU improved to 14-3 overall and 6-0 in league play. 

Ashtyn Arnold recorded her team-leading sixth double-double of the season, finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Gabby Moore collected 14 points, four assists, and two rebounds. Kaylee Denker finished with 12 points and eight boards. Brandi Dunn was the fourth Bruin in double figures, registering 10 points along with three rebounds and two steals. 

Tabor Teel led five Trojans in double figures, finishing with 13 points and five rebounds. Kenzi Simmons recorded 12 points and four rebounds. Bria Wasmund and Angela Slattery finished with 11 points apiece, and Lilli Mackley chipped in with 10 points and three boards.  

The Bruins hit just one of their first seven shots and committed seven early turnovers as DSU raced out to a 9-2 lead in the first five minutes of the contest. Bellevue answered with a 9-2 run to end the first quarter to knot the contest at 11-all after the opening 10 minutes of play. 

After a 3-pointer by Simmons gave DSU its largest lead of the half at four points, Arnold's 3-point play drew BU to within one at 28-27 heading into the intermission. 

Arnold led BU in the opening half with eight points, six rebounds, and two assists. Moore added six points, three assists, and a pair of boards. The Bruins shot 40 percent from the field and committed 14 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes of play. 

Simmons paced the Trojans in the first period with nine points on 3-of-8 shooting from the field.  DSU shot just 26.3 percent (10-of-38) in the first half. 

Neither team led by more than four points in the third stanza until a triple by Wasmund at the buzzer gave the Trojans a 50-45 lead heading into the final frame. 

After a 3-pointer by Angelina Chapple gave DSU its largest lead of the contest at eight points, Denker scored four straight to pull BU to within four at 59-55 with 5:37 left in the game. 

A triple by Dunn and four straight points by Arnold tied the game at 64-all at the 2:52 mark. DSU drained three throws to take a 67-64 lead with 1:46 remaining. Denker hit a pair of free shots to make it 67-66 with six ticks left in regulation. Mackley countered with two free throws, giving the Trojans a 69-66 edge with four seconds left, setting up one final shot for the Bruins. Arnold's 3-point attempt was blocked by Cierra Watkins, giving DSU the three-point victory.  

The Bruins will host Dickinson State University next Friday, Jan. 24, at 5:30 p.m. in the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.