March 15, 2025

MADISON, S.D. – No. 5 seed Governors State (Ill.) outscored No. 4 seed Dakota State (S.D.) 22-16 in the final quarter, including the game's final four points to secure a trip to the final site after a 75-69 victory Saturday evening at DSU Fieldhouse.  The Trojans hosted the two-day NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship First and Second Round.

The setback snapped DSU's eight-game winning streak, ending their 2024-25 campaign with an overall record of 25-5.  It was the fifth straight season that Dakota State had produced at least 20 victories in the season.  The Trojans' 25 victories tied for fifth most in a single season with the 1999-2000 squad.  Dakota State was ranked No. 8 in the final NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll.

Governors State, who won the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, lifted their overall record to 28-5. The Jaguars will face No. 1 seed Campbellsville (Ky.) in the Round of 16 in the Duer Bracket Friday at Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

Saturday marked the final career collegiate women's basketball game for five Trojan seniors – Kristine Biniek, Lilli Mackley, Tia Murray, Olivia Ritter, and Angela Slattery.

[5] Governors State (Ill.) 75, [4] Dakota State (S.D.) 69 – FINAL

Slattery kicked off the game with a 3-pointer (assisted by Tabor Teel) to give Dakota State a 3-0 opening lead with nine minutes and twenty-seven seconds on the clock.

The Jaguars scored the next four points to earn their first lead after a basket by Kalvina Eubanks with 8:25 on the clock in the first half (GSU led 4-3).

Governors State ballooned their lead to 13-5 after Zareia Chevre's basket with 4:01 to go in the first period.  The Jaguars led 19-11 after the first quarter.

GSU shot 53.8 percent from the field in the first ten minutes (7-of-13 field goals) compared to DSU 38.5 percent (5-of-13 field goals).

The Jaguars started the second quarter with a 4-0 run for the biggest lead of the game at 23-11 after Da'Naria Washington's basket with 9:07 on the clock.

Trailing 27-15, Dakota State staged a furious comeback to regain their lead.  Teel hit a pair of free-throws to cap DSU's 18-6 outburst for a 34-33 lead with 1:03 to go before halftime.

Alayah Sprattlin hit a pair of free throws as GSU grabbed a slim 35-34 halftime lead.

Dakota State outscored Governors State 23-16 in the second quarter, thanks to their 7-of-13 field goals (53.8 percent) to the Jaguars' 36.8 percent (7-of-19 field goals).

The Jaguars maintained their lead between two- and six-points throughout the third quarter until the Trojans rallied back.

Down 47-41, DSU scored eight straight points highlighted by a 3-pointer from Hamtyn Heinz followed by a pair of free throws by Mackley to grab a 49-47 lead with 2:29 to go in the third.

Both teams traded lead or tied the game for the remainder of the third quarter.  Teel made a layup as the Trojans knotted the game at 53-53.

Dakota State was 8-of-17 from the field (53.8 percent) in the third compared to Governors State 8-of-17 field goals (47.1 percent).

Teel added four straight points to kick off the fourth quarter as DSU's lead grew to 57-53 with 9:01 remaining.

The Trojans led as many as five points at 60-55, highlighted by a 3-poitner from Bria Wasmund (assisted by Mackley) with 8:31 left.

Governors State rallied back to regain their lead at 63-62 after using an 8-2 run.  Tabetha Jones hit a basket to give the Jaguars a 63-62 lead with 5:25 remaining.

GSU extended their scoring run to 14-4 as their lead ballooned to 69-64 after Chevre's layup with less than three minutes to go.

Slattery hit a layup as the Trojans trimmed their deficit to 69-67 with less than forty seconds in the game.  After Jones made a free throw on the next possession for a 70-67 lead with 28 seconds to go.

DSU missed a scoring opportunity on the ensuing possession as GSU regained possession.  The Trojans committed a foul, sending Washington to the free throw line where she made a free throw for a 71-67 lead with less than 20 seconds left.

Slattery followed up with a layup as Dakota State trailed 71-69 with 12 seconds to go.  DSU committed a foul on the next possession, where Eubanks hit both free throws to give GSU a 73-69 lead.

The Trojans committed a turnover on the next possession, securing the victory for the Jaguars.  Chevre and Eubanks each added a free throw to seal the victory.

Governors State outscored Dakota State 22-16 in the final quarter.  The Jaguars shot 58.3 percent from the field (7-of-12 field goals) compared to the Trojans 7-of-18 field goals (38.9 percent).

A total of 11 lead changes and five ties were registered in the game.

Teel led Dakota State with 19 points on her 8-of-15 field goals and 3-of-4 free throws.  She also had four rebounds, four blocks and two steals.  Slattery posted a double-double of 15 points and pulled down a career high 13 rebounds.  Wasmund added 12 points, four rebounds, and three steals. 

Mackley scored six points and collected three rebounds for DSU.  Cierra Watkins stole the ball four times.  Kenzi Simmons had five points off the bench.  Ritter and Angelina Chapple each had four points.

Chevre led the Jaguars with a game high 28 points on her 11-of-18 field goals and 6-of-7 free throws.  She produced a double-double with 12 rebounds.  Jones added 21 points on her 9-of-18 field goals and 3-of-7 free throws.  She had five assists.  Eubanks had nine points.  Washington dished out 10 assists and collected seven rebounds. 

Dakota State shot 45.6 percent overall from the field (26-of-57 field goals) compared to Governors State 47.5 percent (29-of-61 field goals).  The Trojans were 5-of-16 3-pointers while the Jaguars did not make 3-pointer in five tries.

GSU converted 17-of-26 fee throws (65.4 percent) compared to DSU 12-of-14 free throws. 

The Jaguars outrebounded the Trojans 38-32. 

Governors State outscored Dakota State 13-8 in points off turnovers and 10-7 in second chance points.  DSU outscored GSU 42-24 inside the paint.