February 15, 2025

MADISON, S.D. – NAIA's nationally ranked Dakota State (S.D.) overcame their 29.4 percent field goal shooting Saturday afternoon, edging Valley City State (N.D.) 67-66 in the North Star Athletic Association Women's Basketball action at DSU Fieldhouse.  The Trojans finished their conference regular season home schedule with a 7-0 record, the fourth consecutive season that DSU finished their NSAA regular season home schedule undefeated at home.

Dakota State reached their 20^th victory of the season for the fifth straight year, raising their overall record to 20-4 and 12-1 record in the league.  The Trojans earned their 18^th victory in the last 19 contests.  Valley City State fell to 13-13 overall record and 5-9 NSAA conference record.
DSU earned their season series victory over VCSU at 2-1 record, with both teams winning on their home court.

It was Seniors Day for the Trojans, where they honored their five seniors – Kristine Biniek, Lilli Mackley, Tia Murray, Olivia Ritter, and Angela Slattery.

Dakota State concludes their regular season schedule next weekend with a pair of contests in North Dakota.  The Trojans visit (RV) Jamestown (N.D.) Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Newman Arena in Jamestown, followed by another North Star contest at Scott Gymnasium next Saturday against Dickinson State (N.D.) at 4 p.m. (Central Time)/3 p.m. (Mountain Time).

(8) Dakota State (S.D.) 67, Valley City State (N.D.) 66 – FINAL

After going through two lead changes and a tie in the first four-plus minutes, Valley City State used a 6-0 scoring run to open a 10-4 lead after a 3-pointer from Ellie Braaten (assisted by Madison Spacher) with 5:08 on the clock in the first period.

The Trojans answered with a 5-0 scoring run to trim their deficit to 10-9 after a 3-pointer by Tabor Teel (assisted by Cierra Watkins) with less than four minutes to go in the first.

JayCee Richter hit a basket to give VCSU a 16-14 lead after the first period.  The Vikings were 38.9 percent from the field in the first ten minutes (7-of-18 field goals) and held the Trojans to 21.7 percent (5-of-23 field goals).

Dakota State and Valley City State battled back and forth in the second quarter before the Trojans made a scoring run.  Trailing 25-23, the Trojans sparked an 8-0 scoring run with three straight baskets.  Bria Wasmund and Slattery drained a 3-pointer followed by a basket by Kenzi Simmons gave DSU a 31-25 lead with 4:19 left in the second.

The Vikings closed the second period with an 8-1 run in the final 3:42. Olivia Backus made a layup with less than a minute to go, giving VCSU a 33-32 halftime edge over DSU.

Dakota State outscored Valley City State 18-17 in the second period.  VCSU shot 42.9 percent from the field (6-of-14 field goals) compared to DSU 35.3 percent (6-of-17 field goals) in the final ten minutes of the first half.

The third quarter was closely tight with both teams, with the lead no greater than three points by the Trojans.  A total of six lead changes were recorded in the third. 

A steal by Ashlyn Diemert followed by a long 3-pointeer by Braaten gave the Vikings a 47-46 lead when the third quarter ended.

Both teams scored 14 points in the third quarter after struggling from the field, with VCSU shooting 33.3 percent (5-of-15 field goals) and DSU 20 percent (3-of-15 field

Down 51-48, Teel scored eight straight points highlighted by a pair of 3-pointers to give DSU a 56-51 lead with 5:39 remaining in the game.

Valley City State rallied back with a 5-0 scoring run to knot the game at 56-56 with 4:05 left after a 3-pointer from Braaten. 

Wasmund drained a 3-pointer to give DSU a 59-56 lead with less than three minutes to go and never trailed for the rest of the game.  Valley City State could get no closer than one point on several occasions.

Mackley scored a layup to put the Trojans up 64-60 with less than 45 seconds to go.  Abby Aslesen followed up with a basket as the Vikings trailed 64-62 with 30.3 seconds remaining.

Teel made a pair of free throws to put Dakota State up 67-64 with less than 15 seconds remaining.  The Vikings closed the game with a layup by Aslesen at the buzzer to round out the final score at 67-66.

Dakota State outscored Valley City State 21-19 in the final quarter.  DSU was 46.2 percent from the field (6-of-13 field goals), while VCSU was 50 percent (7-of-14 field goals).

A total of 13 lead changes and six ties were recorded in the game.

Slattery posted a double-double of 20 points and pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds (8 defensive) for Dakota State.  Teel added a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds (8 defensive).  She also dished out four assists and registered a season-high four blocks.  Wasmund scored 10 points and contributed seven assists.  She stole the ball three times.

Simmons scored seven points, collected three rebounds, and recorded a season-high three blocks for DSU.  Ritter, Mackley, and Watkins each added four points. 

Aslesen and Braaten each led the Vikings with 16 points each.  Aslesen had seven rebounds and three blocks.  Braaten had four assists. Tilda Mauritzson added eight points.  Ashlyn Diemert recorded nine rebounds, six assists, and five points.

Dakota State shot 20-of-68 from the field and 11-of-44 from the 3-point line.  Valley City State was 41 percent from the field (25-of-61 field goals) and 6-of-14 3-pointers.

DSU hit 16-of-25 from the free throw line compared to VCSU 10-of-14 from the free throw line.

The Trojans outrebounded the Vikings 50-39, including 18-6 on the offensive boards.