January 16, 2026
MADISON, S.D. – No. 7 Dakota State (S.D.) used a dominant third quarter and balanced scoring effort to pull away from No. 12 Montana Tech for a 73–56 Frontier Conference women's basketball victory Friday evening at the DSU Fieldhouse. It was the 7
th annual Ag Ball contest, a tradition that DSU Athletics for showing appreciation for one of the most vital industries in our region and say thank you to the hardworking members of the agricultural community.
Dakota State earned their second win over NAIA's Top 15 teams this season. The Trojans lifted their overall record to 15-3. Montana Tech's nine-game winning streak came to an end and fell to 14-2 overall record. Dakota State earned their second straight victory in the series meeting with the Orediggers, where they met in last year's NAIA Women's Basketball National Tournament First Round at DSU Fieldhouse.
DSU moved in a three-way tie for first place in the Frontier Conference with MT and Carroll (Mont.). Carroll rallied back to defeat MSU-Northern 68-63 on the road Friday evening.
How it happened
After a defensive opening quarter, the Trojans carried a 12–10 lead into the second period before building separation late in the half. The Orediggers shot 31.3 percent (5-of-16 field goals) in the first quarter compared to The Trojans 23.1 percent (3-of-13 field goals).
DSU gained their first double digit lead of the game, thanks to back-to-back layups from
Tabor Teel and
Bria Wasmund for a 31-18 lead with less than 35 seconds to go in the second period.
Dakota State outscored the Orediggers 19–10 in the second quarter to take a 31–20 advantage at halftime. DSU limited MT to 3-of-12 from the field in the final 10 minutes of the first half. The Trojans were 7-of-17 from the field (41.2 percent) in the second quarter.
Dakota State put the game firmly out of reach in the third quarter, erupting for 29 points while shooting 52.6 percent from the field (10-of-19 field goals). DSU led 60-38 after three quarters.
The Trojans extended their lead to as many as 25 points in the fourth quarter (after a free throw by
Brooke Gunderson for DSU 71-46 lead with 5:02 remaining). and held Montana Tech scoreless from three-point range in the final period to secure the win.
Inside the box score
Trojan Leaders
- Tabor Teel: 17 points, 7 rebounds, 7 blocks (career high – tied for 12th most single-game blocks in DSU women's basketball school record book), 3 assists
- Bria Wasmund: 17 points (season-high), 3-of-6 from three, 4-of-4 free-throws, 3 steals
- Caitlin Dyer: 11 points, 3-of-6 from beyond the arc
- Mackenzi Simmons: 10 points, 3 assists
- Hamtyn Heniz: 6 points, 2 assists
- Ella Carstensen: 6 points, 8 rebounds
Montana Tech Leaders
- Brooke Badovinac: 14 points
- Halle Haber: 11 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists
- Liv Wangerin: 9 points
- Avery Carlson: 8 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals
Dakota State shot 39.1 percent overall from the field (25-of-64 field goals) and 11-of-31 from the 3-point line.
Montana Tech shot 35.6 percent (21-of-59 field goals) from the field and 11.1 percent from three-point range (1-of-9 3-point field goals).
The Trojans outrebounded the Orediggers 48-32 in the game.
Team Stats
|
Montana Tech |
Dakota State |
| FG |
21-59 (35.6%) |
25-64 (39.1%) |
| 3PT |
1-9 (11.1%) |
11-31 (35.5%) |
| FT |
13-19 (68.4%) |
12-16 (75.0%) |
| Rebounds |
32 |
48 |
| Assists |
14 |
15 |
| Turnovers |
22 |
16 |
| Bench Points |
10 |
24 |
Up Next
Dakota State continues their three-game Frontier Conference home stand Saturday evening as they host Montana Western at 5 p.m.
