January 4, 2025

MADISON, S.D. – NAIA's nationally ranked No. 6 Dakota State (S.D.) remained undefeated in the North Star Athletic Association women's basketball action Saturday afternoon, holding off Bellevue (Neb.) 67-59 at DSU Fieldhouse.  The Trojans used a 41-33 second half run to break a 26-26 halftime tie.

DSU ballooned their winning streak to nine games, raising their overall record to 11-3 and 3-0 NSAA conference record.  After No. 24 ranked Jamestown (N.D.) lost at No. 22 Mayville State (N.D.) 77-72 Saturday, the Trojans are the lone undefeated team in the NSAA conference action.  Bellevue fell to 10-5 overall record and 2-1 record in the league.

DSU's nine-game winning streak is tied for the ninth longest streak in the school record book with the 1978-79 squad.
Both teams will play two more times during the conference season, both at Bellevue on Jan. 17 and Feb. 7.

Dakota State heads on the road for the first time in the North Star conference, visiting Dickinson State (N.D.) Friday at 6:30 p.m. (Central Time)/5:30 p.m. (Mountain Time) at Scott Gymnasium in Dickinson, N.D.  The Trojans then make a trip to Jamestown, N.D. for a 3 p.m. tip-off next Saturday at Newman Arena.

(6) Dakota State (S.D.) 67, Bellevue (Neb.) 59 – FINAL

Both teams struggled offensively in the first ten minutes of the game, shooting below 40 percent.  The game was knotted at 12-12 after the first quarter, despite the biggest lead by the Trojans at 11-7 after a 3-pointer from Bria Wasmund (assisted by Angela Slattery) with five minutes and eleven seconds on the clock.

DSU was 4-of-12 from the field in the first quarter (33.3 percent) compared to BU 5-of-14 field goals (35.7 percent).

Dakota State missed the first nine shots of the second quarter, allowing Bellevue to go on a 13-2 scoring outburst for the game's biggest lead.  Gabby Moore drained a 3-pointer (assisted by Josias Mickens) for a 25-14 lead with 2:46 on the clock.

The Trojans roared back in the final 2:20 of the game with a 12-1 run with four consecutive field goals made and a pair of free-throws, ignited by Angela Slattery's layup.  Wasmund closed the second quarter by making back-to-back 3-pointers as DSU knotted the game at 26-26.

Dakota State and Bellevue scored 14 points and shot 4-of-13 from the field (30.8 percent) in the second period.

The Trojans expanded their scoring run to 24-3 as they kicked off the third quarter with a 12-2 outburst, thanks to their 5-of-9 field goals.  Slattery highlighted the scoring run with back-to-back 3-pointers and scored eight straight points for Dakota State. 

Wasmund capped the scoring run with a fast-break layup for a 38-28 DSU lead, forcing the Bruins to call a timeout with 6:37 to go in the third.

Dakota State hit the game's largest lead at 43-32 after a 3-pointer from Kenzi Simmons (assisted by Tia Murray) with 4:36 remaining in the third quarter.

Bellevue used a 10-3 scoring run in the final 4:13 of the third quarter, capped by a basket from Kaylee Denker (assisted by Mickens) to cut Dakota State's lead to 46-42.

DSU outscored BU 20-16 in the third quarter.  The Trojans were 8-of-20 from the field, including 4-of-12 from the 3-point line in the first ten minutes of the second half.  Bellevue shot 6-of-14 from the field (42.7 percent) in the third period.

The Trojans stretched their lead to 50-42 after a free throw from Lilli Mackley with 9:02 remaining.  The Bruins could get no closer than three points at 50-47 after Dru Zoucha's three free throws with 7:41 left and 52-49 after a basket by Brandi Dunn with 5:23 remaining.

Dakota State pulled away after using a 13-6 run, capped by a pair of free throws from Wasmund for a 65-55 lead with less than 45 seconds to go.

DSU outscored BU 21-17 in the final quarter.  Both teams were 7-of-17 from the field.

Wasmund scored a career-high 23 points on her 8-of-14 field goals, 4-of-7 3-pointers, and 3-of-4 free throws for the Trojans.  She also grabbed four rebounds and dished out three assists.  Slattery added 22 points on her 8-of-17 field goals, including four 3-pointers.  She collected five rebounds.

Olivia Ritter tallied seven points, six rebounds, and two steals off the bench for DSU.  Murray had nine rebounds and a block.  Tabor Teel registered six points, seven rebounds, and two blocks.  Simmons had four rebounds and a block.

Ashtyn Arnold posted a double-double of 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for the Bruins.  Moore added 15 points.  Kaylee Denker scored 13 points off the bench and recorded five rebounds.  Mickens contributed seven assists. 

Dakota State was 23-of-62 from the field overall (37.1 percent) and hit 10 3-pointers.  Bellevue was 22-of-58 field goals (37.9 percent) and hit five 3-pointers (all from Moore). 

DSU hit 11-of-17 free throws compared to BU 10-of-11 free throws. 

The Trojans outrebounded the Bruins 40-35.  Dakota State outscored Bellevue 14-5 in second chance points, 14-8 in points off turnovers, and 8-0 in fast-break opportunities.