February 22, 2025

DICKINSON, N.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) shook off their slow start Saturday afternoon after shooting 25 percent in the first quarter, erupting for 81 points in the final three quarters to earn a 93-74 North Star Athletic Association Women's Basketball regular season victory over Dickinson State (N.D.) at Scott Gymnasium.  The Trojans continued their dominance with the Blue Hawks, recording their 21^st straight victory in the series meeting.

Dakota State, No. 8 in the latest NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, earned their fifth straight win to raise their overall record to 22-4.  The Trojans finished their North Star Athletic Association schedule with a 14-1 record, compiling an astounding 65-4 conference record (.942 winning percentage) in the last five seasons (won NSAA regular season titles for five straight seasons). 

Dickinson State dropped to 8-17 overall record and finished the league schedule with 3-12 record.  The Blue Hawks play their NSAA quarterfinals as No. 6 seed and travel to No. 3 seed Jamestown (N.D.) Wednesday evening at 7 p.m.

The Trojans come home and wait for their semifinal opponent in the North Star Athletic Association postseason tournament.  DSU plays the winner of No. 5 seed Valley City State (N.D.)-No. 4 seed Bellevue (Neb.) on Saturday, March 1, at DSU Fieldhouse.  The game is set for 1 p.m. 

No regular season passes (Trojan Athletics Club passes, family season passes, etc.) will be honored at the admission per North Star conference postseason ticket policy.  NSAA's institution students need to bring their ID for their free admission to the postseason.  For more information, contact the DSU Athletics department at 605-256-5229.

(8) Dakota State (S.D.) 93, Dickinson State (N.D.) 74 – FINAL

Dickinson State opened the game with four straight points after Samantha Oase's and Tinley Pierson's basket for a 4-0 lead with eight minutes, nineteen seconds on the clock.  Bria Wasmund scored the first points for the Trojans (DSU trailed 4-2) with 8:08 on the clock in the first quarter.

The Blue Hawks extended their lead to 8-2 after Whitney Edwards' basket with 6:08 remaining in the first period.

Dakota State went on a 8-2 scoring run to tie the game to 10-10, capped by Angela Slattery's basket inside the paint with 2:50 to go in the first quarter.

Katherine Fox closed the first quarter with a 3-pointer to give DiSU a 15-12 lead.  The Blue Hawks shot 38.9 percent from the field in the first ten minutes (7-of-18 field goals) and held the Trojans to 4-of-16 field goals.

Dakota State and Dickinson State traded leads or tied games in the first three plus minutes of the second quarter.  Trailing 20-19, the Trojans went on a 7-0 scoring run highlighted by a 3-pointer from Hamtyn Heinz for 26-20 lead with 5:12 to go before halftime.

The Trojans stretched that scoring run to 14-2 outburst to earn the first double digit lead of the game at 33-22 after Wasmund's basket for a 33-22 lead with 2:47 left in the second.

DSU led 36-30 by halftime, outscoring DiSU 24-15 in the second period.  Dakota State shot 10-of-19 from the field (52.6 percent) in the second quarter compared to Dickinson State 6-of-15 field goals (40 percent).

Lilli Mackley scored six points to fuel the Trojans' 7-0 scoring run to start the third quarter, ballooning their lead to 43-30 with 8:04 on the clock.

With Dakota State leading 47-36, Dickinson State scored five straight points to trim their deficit to 47-41 after Kayden Steele's basket with less than five minutes to go.

Dakota State answered with a 6-0 scoring run, ignited by Tabor Teel's 3-point play with 4:44 to go in in the third.  Wasmund made a layup as the Trojans led 53-41 with 3:53 on the clock.

The Trojans led 62-53 after three quarters.  DSU outscored DiSU 26-23 in the third quarter.  The Blue Hawks were 8-of-16 from the field (50 percent) compared to Trojans' 7-of-18 field goals (38.9 percent).

Dakota State hit 12-of-15 free throws in the third period, while Dickinson State was 7-of-11 free throws.

The Trojans maintained their lead for the rest of the game, securing their 20^th victory in the last 21 games.  Dakota State outscored Dickinson State 31-21 in the final quarter.  The Trojans shot 68.8 percent from the field in the fourth quarter (11-of-16 field goals) compared to the Blue Hawks' 71.4 percent (10-of-14 field goals).

Four DSU starters scored in double digits, led by Mackley with 17 points on her 7-of-10 field goals.  She also had five rebounds.  Slattery added 16 points, four rebounds, and three steals.  Wasmund and Watkins (season-high) each scored 15 points and recorded two steals.

Teel tallied seven points and six rebounds for DSU.  She also had two steals.  Kenzi Simmons scored eight points and pulled five rebounds.  She stole the ball two times.  Olivia Ritter had seven points.  Heinz added six points. 

Oase poured in a game-high 35 points on her 15-of-22 field goals and 5-of-8 free throws for the Blue Hawks.  She posted a double-double with 10 rebounds and registered three blocks.  Fox added 12 points and four assists.  Anhelica Shanrock scored 10 points off the bench.  Pierson had six points and four rebounds. 

Dakota State was 46.4 percent overall from the field (32-of-69 field goals) compared to Dickinson State 49.2 percent (31-of-63 field goals

The Trojans hit 22 free throws in 30 attempts to the Blue Hawks 11-of-20 free throws.

DiSU edged DSU on the rebounds, 43-41. 

Dakota State outscored Dickinson State 21-10 in points off turnovers, 23-17 in bench points, and 44-40 inside the paint.