WICHITA, Kan. – The No. 12-ranked Mountaineers couldn't overcome a lethal, first-quarter offensive attack from their opponent, No. 24 Dakota State, on Wednesday night. The Trojans jumped up 27-13 in the first quarter and despite their best attempt, the Mounties couldn't quite pull off the comeback eventually falling 86-69. Eastern's loss eliminates them from the NAIA National Championship Tournament.
The first quarter was the Savannah Walsdorf show. The Trojans' all-conference guard went off for 19 first quarter points on 8-9 shooting along with a couple steals and a rebound. Eastern couldn't find a rhythm as Dakota State wreaked havoc racking up five steals and forcing nine turnovers to jump out to a 27-13 lead after the first quarter.
Eastern settled in the second quarter and cut down on turnovers while gaining some footing on offense. EOU had only two turnovers in the second quarter and matched the Trojans with each team putting up 17 points. With just a minute to go in the half the Mounties were able to grab some momentum before the break thanks to a couple of quick baskets by
Beverly Slater and Adyson Harris Shaw to make it 44-30.
At the break the Mounties were led by
Sailor Liefke with nine first half points. The Trojans were led by Walsdorf who was kept in check in the second quarter adding on only four more points to finish with 23 at the half.
The Mounties took that momentum from the end of the second quarter into the third shutting down Dakota State's offense. Eastern held the Trojans to just three buckets in the third quarter while going 7-18 themselves. EOU was also able to capitalize on Dakota State's mistakes scoring seven points off Trojan turnovers. After three quarters Dakota State's lead was cut to just five, 56-51.
Five points was the closest the Mounties came in the fourth quarter as they stayed within striking distance through the next five minutes. Every time Dakota State pulled away the Mounties were able to reign it back in all the way up to the 5:35 mark when
Halle Wright knocked down a spinning shot through contact and converted the and-one to make it 65-60.
From that point on Eastern ran out of gas as the Trojans pulled away to finish out the game on a 21-9 run clinching their spot in the next round of the NAIA Tournament. Dakota State took the 86-69 win.
The loss marks the end of the Mountaineers' season. EOU had another incredible run finishing the year 30-3 while going 21-1 in CCC play while also clinching another CCC Regular Season Championship and CCC Tournament Championship.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Dakota State started strong and finished strong outscoring EOU by a combined score of 57-31 in the first and fourth quarters
- EOU was outscored in bench points 26-14 which ranked for the third lowest contribution off the bench all season for the Mountaineers
- The Trojans had the hot hand shooting just under 50% from the field and a scorching 45.5% from deep
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
- EOU
- DSU
- Savannah Walsdorf: 29 PTS, 11-17 FG, 5 REB, 1 AST, 3 STL
- Elsie Aslesen: 21 PTS, 8-14 FG, 8 REB, 1 STL, 2 BLK
