DAKOTA STATE’S HOT HAND KEEPS TIGERBALL AT BAY

BOURBONNAIS, IL. - Olivet Nazarene University's women's basketball team faced a tough challenge on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Dakota State Trojans at home by a score of 96-59. 

The Trojans wasted no time establishing their presence, ripping off a 7-0 run in the opening minutes and forcing the Tigers on their heels. Junior guard Khendel Rolison's late three-pointer kept ONU within shouting distance, but Dakota State held a 24-17 to close the quarter.

The second quarter saw a three-point shootout, with both teams trading buckets from beyond the arc. However, Dakota State found their rhythm, draining three consecutive triples to pull away from the Tigers. A buzzer-beating three from the Trojans stretched their lead to 48-30 by halftime, leaving ONU with a mountain to climb.

Senior guard Jamie Finn's layup ignited a spark in the Tigers early in the third, but Dakota State swiftly extinguished it with a 7-point run. Junior guard Madison Smith and senior guard Anne Peters sank a three and a layup, respectively, chipping away at the Trojan lead. Sophomore guard Olivia Dirkse added free throws to the mix, but the Trojans continued to control the rebounds, and the third quarter ended with the score still tilted in their favor at 65-45.

The Trojans wasted no time in the final frame, scoring the first five points, their lead ballooning to 25 points. ONU, fueled by Junior guard Grace Schutt's pair of three-pointers, briefly narrowed the gap to 23, but the Trojans promptly responded to snuff out any hopes of a comeback. In the closing minutes, Dakota State unleashed an 11-point run, putting the game definitively out of reach. Despite the Tigers' spirited efforts to the final buzzer, the scoreboard ultimately reflected a 96-59 Trojan victory.

What's Next

The Tigers look to bounce back on January 3rd, when they travel to Joliet, IL. to face the Fighting Saints of the University of St. Francis. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. CST.

--ONU—

*Contact Anyssa Hampton, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, ahampton@olivet.edu