November 22, 2025

MADISON, S.D. – No. 5 Dakota State used a dominant fourth quarter and a balanced offensive attack to pull away from MSU–Northern, earning a 79–61 Frontier Conference women's basketball victory Saturday evening inside the DSU Fieldhouse. The Trojans improved to 6–1 overall and 3–0 in Frontier play, while the Skylights dropped to 3–2 (2–1 Frontier).

Leading 54–49 entering the fourth, Dakota State delivered its decisive run of the night. The Trojans exploded for 25 fourth-quarter points, hitting 10-of-19 from the floor and 4-of-9 from deep in the final 10 minutes. Meanwhile, the DSU defense clamped down, limiting MSU–Northern to just 12 points and forcing four turnovers in the period.

DSU's largest lead swelled to 19 points late in the contest.
  Team Highlights

Dakota State

• Field Goals: 28-of-70 (40%)
• 3-Point: 12-of-36 (33.3%)
• Free Throws: 11-of-19 (57.9%)
• Rebounds: 44 (17 offensive)
• Assists: 18
• Steals: 12
• Turnovers: 11
• Points Off Turnovers: 20
• Bench Points: 28
• Points in the Paint: 32

MSU–Northern

• Field Goals: 23-of-67 (34.3%)
• 3-Point: 5-of-20 (25%)
• Free Throws: 10-of-12 (83.3%)
• Rebounds: 47 (18 offensive)
• Turnovers: 18 (led to 20 DSU points)
• Points in the Paint: 30

Individual Leaders – Dakota State
Cierra Watkins – 18 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists
Ella Carstensen – 14 points, 9 rebounds
Mackenzi Simmons – 12 points
Bria Wasmund – 9 points (all on threes)
Tabor Teel – 9 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks Individual Leaders – MSU–Northern
Canzas HisBadHorse – 19 points, 8 rebounds
Becky Melcher – 16 points, 7 rebounds (4 threes)
Ciera Agasiva – 13 points Game Flow
First quarter highlights
Dakota State knocked down five 3-pointers in the opening 10 minutes and held a 20–16 advantage. Fast-break offense (six early points) and ball movement (seven assists) set the tone.

Second quarter highlights
MSU-N dominated the offensive glass and tied the game several times, but DSU maintained a 38–33 lead at halftime thanks to free throws and defensive pressure.

Third quarter highlights
The Trojans' offense cooled while the Skylights stayed within one or two possessions. DSU forced five MSUN turnovers in the period but led just 54–49 heading to the fourth.

Fourth quarter highlights
Dakota State found another gear, outscoring MSU-N 25–12. Carstensen owned the glass, Watkins sliced through the defense, and Wasmund drilled back-to-back threes that pushed the lead into double figures for good.
  Up Next
Dakota State continues their season-high six-game home stand, stepping outside of their Frontier Conference action.  The Trojans play their final two non-conference games against the Great Plains Athletic Conference, starting with Northwestern (Iowa) Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse.