DSU uses hot shooting, pressure defense to top Bruins 89-41

Box Score
Frontier Standings

MADISON, S.D. -- Seventh-ranked Dakota State University shot nearly 50 percent from the field and forced 26 turnovers to defeat Bellevue University 89-41 in Frontier Conference women's basketball action Friday evening at the DSU Fieldhouse.

With the loss, the Bruins fell to 8-11 overall and 4-10 in Frontier play. The Trojans improved to 17-3 on the season and 12-2 in the conference. DSU led for more than 39 minutes, outscored BU 41-16 in the middle two quarters, and finished with a 44-16 advantage in points in the paint.

Dakota State converted 35-of-71 shots from the floor (49.3 percent), including 12-of-33 from 3-point range (36.4 percent), and went 7-for-8 at the free-throw line (87.5 percent). Bellevue was held to 24.6 percent shooting overall (15-for-61) and 26.7 percent from beyond the arc (4-for-15), but went 7-for-7 at the line. DSU held a 41-40 edge on the glass and turned BU's 26 turnovers into 25 points, while the Bruins did not score off the Trojans' 10 miscues.

Bellevue was led by Zakiyyah Muhammad's 12 points and six rebounds, as she went 4-for-9 from the field and 4-for-4 at the line. Emma Russell added nine points on 3-for-8 3-point shooting, and Jhanel Coleman provided eight points and a team-high nine rebounds off the bench. Joy Beran grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds, and Karoline Ellison finished with five points, four rebounds, and one steal.

Dakota State had five players score at least eight points, paced by Tabor Teel's 18 points and 11 rebounds on 6-for-11 shooting. Caitlin Dyer added 16 points with four 3-pointers and four steals, while Ella Carstensen contributed 15 points on 7-for-10 shooting and five rebounds. Mackenzi Simmons finished with eight points and six boards off the bench, and Cierra Watkins chipped in five points, two steals, and three assists.

How It Happened

DSU set the tone early, scoring the first seven points of the game and building a 14-4 lead just over four minutes in, fueled by free throws from Brooke Gunderson, a layup by Bria Wasmund, and a 3-pointer from Watkins. Muhammad scored twice in the lane, and Ellison added two free throws as BU trimmed the margin, but the Trojans closed the period with a 20-13 advantage.

The Trojans began to create separation in the second quarter. Teel and Dyer connected from the perimeter, and DSU continued to generate points in transition and in the paint, limiting Bellevue to six points in the frame. Russell knocked down a 3-pointer, and Coleman scored inside to provide BU's lone field goals of the quarter, but Dakota State used a 21-6 scoring edge in the period to take a 41-19 lead into halftime.

DSU maintained control in the third, outscoring the Bruins 27-10. The Trojans opened the half with a 10-2 stretch and continued to attack inside with Teel and Carstensen, while Simmons and Heinz helped on the glass. Russell hit a 3-pointer, and Muhammad added a pair of baskets, but Dakota State pushed its lead to 68-29 after three quarters.

Bellevue found a bit more offensive rhythm in the fourth behind perimeter shooting from Russell and Ellison and interior baskets from Coleman and Tarryn Godsey. However, the Trojans continued to respond with balanced scoring from their bench and starting group. DSU outscored BU 21-12 in the final period, with Carstensen and Chapple adding late baskets to close out the 89-41 result.

Top Performers

Bellevue University

• Zakiyyah Muhammad — 12 points, 6 rebounds, 4-for-9 FG, 4-for-4 FT

• Emma Russell — 9 points, 3-for-8 3FG

• Jhanel Coleman — 8 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals

• Joy Beran — 2 points, game-high 11 rebounds, 2 blocks

• Karoline Ellison — 5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal

Dakota State University

• Tabor Teel — 18 points, 11 rebounds, 6-for-11 FG, 5 assists, 4 blocks

• Caitlin Dyer — 16 points, 4-for-7 3FG, 4 steals

• Ella Carstensen — 15 points, 7-for-10 FG, 5 rebounds

• Mackenzi Simmons — 8 points, 6 rebounds

• Cierra Watkins — 5 points, 2 steals, 3 assists

Inside the Numbers

• Dakota State posted a 44-16 edge in points in the paint and a 25-0 advantage in points off turnovers.

• The Trojans also led 18-10 in second-chance points and 18-3 in fast-break scoring.

• DSU's bench outscored Bellevue's reserves 41-22.

• The Trojans never trailed in the contest, which featured no ties and no lead changes.

Up Next

The Bruins will travel to Mayville, N.D., next Friday, Jan. 30, for a 5 p.m. league contest at Mayville State University.