October 27, 2025

MADISON, S.D. – The NAIA's nationally ranked Dakota State (S.D.) opened its 2025-26 women's basketball season in dominant fashion Monday afternoon, rolling past Minnesota Morris 76-40 in the Education Kick-off Classic at Madison High School.  Madison elementary and high school students attended the women's basketball season opener.

Dakota State, who is ranked No. 4 in the NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll, is 1-0 overall record.  The Trojans won their fourth straight home meeting with the Cougars.  Minnesota-Morris, a member of NCAA Division III, was playing an exhibition game.  UMM was picked to win the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference this season.

How it happened
The Trojans stormed ahead 24-13 after the opening quarter, led by a balanced attack and stifling defense that forced seven Cougar turnovers in the first 10 minutes. DSU stretched its advantage to double digits early in the second, taking a 36-28 lead into halftime.

Dakota State blew the game open in the third quarter with a 27-5 outburst, holding Minnesota Morris to just one field goal during the frame.  DSU shot 10-of-19 from the field in the third quarter and held UMM to 1-of-10 field goals.

The Trojans scored frequently in transition, converting turnovers into 22 fast-break points on the night while dominating the paint 46-20.

DSU's defense forced 25 Cougar turnovers and converted them into 31 points.  Dakota State outscored Minnesota-Morris 40-12 in the final twenty minutes of the game, holding the Cougars to 3-of-26 from the field (11.5 percent).

Individual and Team Leaders
Caitlin Dyer, who played for the first time Monday after taking the 2024-25 season with a medical redshirt, paced the Trojans with a career-high 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including three 3-pointers. Tabor Teel produced a double-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks. Cierra Watkins added 10 points and five rebounds, while Bria Wasmund chipped in seven points and four assists.

DSU shot 38 percent overall (30-of-79 field goals) and finished with 20 assists on 30 field goals.

The Trojans limited Minnesota Morris to 25 percent shooting (15-of-60 from the field) and just 1-of-16 from beyond the arc. DSU held the Cougars to single digit scoring in both the third (5 points) and fourth (7 points) quarters. Claire Stark led Minnesota Morris with 11 points and seven rebounds, while Gianna Klarenbeek added eight points.

Dakota State outrebounded Minnesota Morris 49-45 and recorded 16 steals and six blocks. The Trojans' bench added 23 points, and 10 different players found the scoring column.
 
Up Next
Dakota State heads to Mabee Arena in Salina, Kan., for the two-day Coyote Classic against members of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.  The Trojans face host team Kansas Wesleyan, who qualified for the national tournament last season, Friday evening at 6 p.m. and Bethel (Kan.) Saturday afternoon at 12 p.m.