Two scoreless minutes followed the opening tip off until Erika Feenstra scored the first two points of the season for the Defenders. The score was even throughout much of the first quarter, as Ashtyn Veerbeek made three shot attempts in a row, giving Dordt an 8-5 lead through the first five minutes. With two minutes to go in the opening quarter, Dakota State used a quick 4-0 run to tie the game. The Trojans maintained their run, scoring the final eight points of the quarter, finished by a three-pointer from Lexi Robson to make the score 19-11 in favor of Dakota State.
Veerbeek stopped the Dakota State run early in the quarter on an assist from Jordyn Winterfeld. Dordt began to narrow the deficit from a basket in the paint by Mya Chmielewski, followed by a DSU turnover that led to a timeout, as the Trojans’ lead was cut to three.
Out of the timeout, Dakota State’s offense increased the lead once again, leading 35-21 with two minutes in the half. The Defenders ended the half with two second-chance points from Karly Gustafson off of the missed three to make the score 37-23 at the half.
In the first four minutes of the second half, Dordt attempted to make it a single-digit game, as Baylee Tetzlaff’s steal turned into a fast break layup to make it a 10-point contest. Two minutes later, a three-pointer for Ashtyn Veerbeek made the score 46-37. Dordt was not able to cut into the Dakota State lead any further as the Trojans finished the quarter on a 10-6 run.
Dakota State continued to increase their lead in the fourth, reaching a 20-point difference at the 7-minute mark following two free throws from Shaylee DeBeer. Dordt used one last attempt at making a late rally, but Jessi Giles added a three to put the game out of reach. Dakota State would win it 79-60.
Dordt is now 0-1 and Dakota State is 1-1
Dordt will face Grand View at the Northwestern Pizza Ranch Classic on November 6. Tip off will be at 2:00 pm in Orange City, Iowa.
