February 7, 2025

BELLEVUE, Neb. – Dakota State (S.D.) outscored Bellevue (Neb.) in each quarter in the North Star Athletic Association Women's Basketball contest Friday evening at Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.  The Trojans earned the NSAA's 3-game season series sweep over Bruins by the score of 72-60, earning their 16^th win in the last 17 games.

The DSU's victory coupled with Jamestown's (N.D.) 77-74 setback at Valley City State (N.D.) Friday evening had secured at least a share of the North Star Athletic Association women's basketball regular-season title.  DSU extended their conference regular-season title streak to five straight years, the first time since the 1980's when the Trojans had won seven consecutive South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference (SDIC) titles from 1980 through 1987.

Dakota State, ranked No. 6 in the NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, lifted their overall record to 18-4 and 10-1 NSAA conference record.  Bellevue fell to 12-11 overall record and 4-7 NSAA conference record.

The Trojans extended their winning streak to six games in the series meeting with the Bruins, their 12^th win in the last 13 meetings.  DSU defeated BU 67-59 at DSU Fieldhouse on Jan. 4, followed by a 69-66 victory at Bellevue on Jan. 17.

Dakota State returns home to wrap up their home regular season at DSU Fieldhouse next weekend.  The Trojans host Mayville State (N.D.) in the annual Ag Ball contest Friday evening at 5:30 p.m.

(6) Dakota State (S.D.) 72, Bellevue (Neb.) 60 – FINAL

Dakota State opened the game with a pair of free throws, one each from Cierra Watkins and Olivia Ritter for a 2-0 lead with seven minutes and forty-four seconds on the clock in the first quarter.

Ashtyn Arnold hit a basket as the Bruins recorded the only tie of the game at 2-2 with 7:25 to go in the first.

Angelina Chapple drained a 3-pointer to open a 12-6 lead with 4:06 left in the first quarter (assisted by Lilli Mackley), capping DSU's 10-4 scoring run.

Dakota State maintained their lead between one- and five-points for the remainder of the first period.  Tabor Teel made a layup as the first quarter ended, giving the Trojans a 23-17 lead.

Both teams shot 7-of-16 from the field in the first ten minutes of the game (43.8 percent).  The Trojans hit three 3-pointers while the Bruins did not make a 3-pointer in the first quarter.

After DSU led 29-24 after a 3-pointer from Teel (assisted by Bria Wasmund), Bellevue went on a 6-0 scoring run to earn their first lead of the game at 30-29 with a basket from Kaylee Denker.

The Trojans answered with an 11-0 scoring run, thanks to a back-to-back 3-pointer from Teel and Angela Slattery.  Kenzi Simmons capped the scoring run with a basket inside the paint for the first double digit lead of the game at 40-30 with 2:43 left in the second period.

Watkins drained a 3-pointer (assisted by Teel) as DSU grabbed a 43-35 halftime lead.

Dakota State outscored Bellevue 20-18 in the second period.  The Trojans hit six 3-pointers in the final ten minutes of the first half.

The Bruins kicked off the third quarter with a 6-0 run, capped by a layup by Gabby Moore with 6:31 left (DSU led 43-41).

DSU ended their scoring drought with a layup by Chapple (assisted by Simmons) with 6:02 on the clock in the third, sparking their 7-0 scoring run.  Teel made a layup to cap their scoring run, extending the Trojans' lead to 50-41 with 3:08 to go in the third.

Dakota State led 55-46 after three quarters, outscoring Bellevue 12-11 in the third. 

Teel, Ritter, and Wasmund fueled DSU's 9-4 scoring run to start the fourth quarter.  Wasmund highlighted the scoring run with a 3-pointer and added a free throw for a 64-50 lead with 6:28 left.

Wasmund stole the ball and followed with a fast break layup to give Dakota State the biggest lead of the game at 70-54 with three minutes remaining in the game.

Bellevue could get no closer than 12 points as DSU secured the victory.  The Trojans outscored the Bruins 17-14 in the final quarter.  Dakota State shot 53.9 percent (7-of-13 field goals) in the fourth quarter and held Bellevue to 35.7 percent (5-of-14 field goals).

Teel led the Trojans with a double-double of 19 points and collected 11 rebounds (9 defensive).  She also had three assists and two blocks.  Wasmund added 17 points by going 6-of-7 from the field, including 4-of-5 from the 3-point arc.  She contributed three assists and three steals.  Slattery scored 14 points on her 5-of-7 field goals and 3-of-5 3-pointers.  She added two steals.

Chapple scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds off the bench for DSU.  Watkins, Simmons, and Ritter each tallied four points.  Watkins had five rebounds and three assists.  Simmons dished out three assists.

Arnold led the Bruins with 17 points and nine rebounds.  She was 6-of-11 from the field and converted all five free throw attempts.  Moore added 14 points and seven rebounds.  She dished out four assists.  Kaylee Denker had 14 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks off the bench.

Dakota State shot 44.1 percent overall from the field (26-of-59 field goals) and hit 13 3-pointers in 31 attempts (41.9 percent).  Bellevue was held to 36.2 percent from the field (25-of-69 field goals) and 3-of-15 3-pointers (20 percent).

BU hit 7-of-8 free throws while DSU was 7-of-19 free-throws. 

Bellevue outrebounded Dakota State 43-40.  Both teams scored 14 second chance points.

The Trojans outscored the Bruins 20-11 in points off turnovers.