Trojans lose lead to Briar Cliff in Morningside Classic
November 6, 2009
SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Dakota State University women’s basketball team participated in a tough Morningside Classic field (that features top teams in the nation) at RSVC-Allee Gym on the campus of Morningside College. The Trojans suffered their first defeat of the season to Briar Cliff, 76-74.
It was a season opener win for Briar Cliff, while the Trojans fell to 2-1.
Dakota State rallied from seven points down with 4:01 left in the first half. The Trojans used a 15-1 run to close the first half to maintain a 38-31 halftime lead.
The Trojans took control in the second half and extended the game’s largest lead of 11 points, 71-60, with 6:44 left in regulation. Briar Cliff held the Trojans to three points in the final six minutes of the ballgame.
The story of the game was the turnovers. The Trojans suffered 39 turnovers compared to the Chargers’ 16. Briar Cliff had 22 steals to DSU’s five.
Dakota State had a huge advantage in three-pointers, going 15-for-25 as a team to Chargers’ 3-for-17.
The Trojans won the rebounding advantage, 47-40, but the Chargers had 23 offensive rebounds.
Dakota State had an excellent performance from the field, going 53.1 percent compared to Chargers’ 35.5 percent.
Lashonda Martin came off the bench for the Trojans with 20 points. She went 7-for-9 from the field, including 6-for-7 from the three-point arc. Alyssa Kirk went 6-for-10 from the three-point line for 18 points and dished out five assists. Donna Lavea posted a double-double for DSU with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Allegra Kohley added nine rebounds.
Liz Grider led Briar Cliff with a game-high 35 points. She went 12-for-27 from the field, 2-for-6 from the three-point arc and 9-for-15 from the free-throw line. Christa Stewart and Kylie Dilla each added 11 points. Megan Salcedo recorded 10 points.
Salcedo and Stewart each had nine rebounds for the Chargers.
The Trojans will try to bounce back Saturday as they face No. 4 Hastings College, coached by former Dakota State women’s basketball head coach Jeff Dittman. Tip-off is slated at 11 a.m.
Box Score vs. Briar Cliff
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
