MADISON, S.D. – When sixth-ranked Dakota State University (S.D.) whittled down its second half deficit from 15 to six, the fifth-ranked Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Basketball team had an answer. The Bulldogs got two fourth-quarter treys from Megan Belt and flustered the Trojans into 20 turnovers in what amounted to a 64-54 win for the visitors on Saturday (Nov. 9). Concordia overcame 20 points from Bria Wasmund while claiming the top 10 road win in Madison, S.D.
Head Coach Drew Olson’s squad moved to 2-1. The contest in South Dakota marked the Bulldogs’ first official game since last week’s Cattle Classic.
“There was a moment of: are we going to keep our composure or not? We did a great job on that possession (after the lead was cut to six) getting through their press,” Olson said. “Kristin (Vieselmeyer) made an incredible pass to Rae (Raelyn Kelty), and Rae finished it. That was a big play to calm us down in the third quarter and we did a great job closing it out in the fourth quarter.”
The Trojans mounted one more threat in the middle of the fourth quarter when they moved within seven (57-50). That’s when Megan Belt surfaced with two back-breaking treys in a 42-second span. The second one boosted the Bulldog lead to 63-52 with 4:34 to play. Concordia proceeded to put the clamps on Dakota State and limited the opposition to one basket the remainder of the game.
The matchup featured two teams that employ a full-court pressure style. The grinder of an affair resulted in 38 combined turnovers. When the Bulldogs took care of the ball, the shot efficiently – 48.0 percent (24-for-50) overall, 52.6 percent (10-for-19) from 3-point range and 85.7 percent (6-for-7) from the foul line. There were only a combined 12 free throws attempts despite the aggressive nature of both squads.
Belt topped Concordia in scoring with 12 points on 4-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Juliana Jones also reached double figures (10) in a contest that required the contributions of many. Abby Krieser added eight points and a pair of steals, Abby Heemstra totaled seven points, eight rebounds and a blocked shot and point guard Kendal Brigham chipped in with five points and seven assists. Additionally, Kelty posted six points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Said Olson of the signature nonconference win, “I think it validates some of the things I’ve been saying to our team. We lose a tough one at home to Southern Oregon and then we lose to Northern Colorado (exhibition). We’re not used to losing multiple games in a row. This proved to our own self that we’re really good. We have some fight and some toughness in us, and we’re going to keep getting better. I thought the biggest thing today was our own personal growth.”
Wasmund made 7-of-12 shots from the floor in tallying her game-high 20 points. Standout Angela Slattery notched 10 points and eight rebounds. A Cattle Classic participant, the Trojans now sit at 2-2. Three days earlier, Dakota State picked up a 74-62 road win over ninth-ranked Dakota Wesleyan.
The next time the Bulldogs take the floor, they will open conference play by hosting Morningside (2-1). That matchup is set for 2 p.m. CT on Saturday, Nov. 16. Concordia earned three wins over the Mustangs during the 2023-24 season. So far this season, Morningside has claimed home wins over Grand View University (Iowa) and Kansas Wesleyan University.