January 30, 2026

WAHPETON, N.D. – No. 7 ranked Dakota State (S.D.) pulled away in the second half to secure a 71–60 Frontier Conference women's basketball victory over Valley City State (N.D.) Friday evening at the Clair T. Blikre Activities Center on the campus of North Dakota State School of Science.  The Trojans also earned their Frontier Conference season series sweep of the Vikings.

Dakota State raised their overall record to 18-3 and maintained their top spot in the Frontier Conference with 13-2 conference record.  Valley City State fell to 6-13 overall record and 3-12 record in the league after recording their 11^th defeat in the last 12 Frontier Conference games.

How it happened
Valley City State came out sharp offensively, shooting 70 percent (7-of-10 field goals) in the opening quarter to take an 18–16 edge after one. The Vikings continued to answer Dakota State baskets in the second period, and despite several lead changes, VCSU carried a slim 32–30 advantage into halftime.

Both teams scored 14 points in the second period.

The Trojans flipped the momentum in the third quarter. Dakota State opened the half with a 20–11 scoring run, sparked by three-point shooting from Brooke Gunderson and Bria Wasmund, while Tabor Teel controlled the paint on both ends. DSU shot 43.8 percent in the quarter (7-of-16 field goal) and went perfect 4-of-4 from the 3-point line.

Valley City State to just 30.8 percent (4-of-13 field goals) as the Trojans built a 50–43 lead entering the final period.

Dakota State continued to extend the margin in the fourth quarter, opening on a 9–2 run to push the lead to double digits.  The Trojans earned their biggest lead of the game at 60-45 after a basket by Teel with 8:04 remaining.

DSU maintained their double digits lead for rest of the game, securing the victory after outscoring VCSU 21-17 in the final quarter.  The Trojans shot 53.3 percent (8-of-15 field goals) in the final frame.

Inside the box score

Teel led all scorers with 18 points, adding 13 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks for a double-double performance. Dyer finished with 13 points, knocking down three triples, while Wasmund contributed 11 points, four steals, and three rebounds. Brooke Gunderson added six points, three rebounds, and two steals, and Hamtyn Heinz chipped in five points off the bench.  Mackenzi Simmons scored six points.

Valley City State was paced by JayCee Richter with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Abby Aslesen recorded a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Ellie Braaten added eight points for the Vikings.

Dakota State finished the game shooting 39.7 percent from the field (27-of-68 field goals) and 37.0 percent from three-point range (10-of-27 3-point line), while holding Valley City State to 38.9 percent at the free-throw line (7-of-18 free-throws).  VCSU shot 42.1 percent overall (24-of-57 field goals) and 5-of-14 3-pointers.

The Trojans also capitalized on turnovers, scoring 17 points off 20 Viking miscues.
  Dakota State — Individual Statistics

• Tabor Teel: 18 pts, 13 reb, 4 ast, 2 blk
• Caitlin Dyer: 13 pts, 4 reb, 4 stl
• Bria Wasmund: 11 pts, 3 reb, 4 stl
• Brooke Gunderson: 6 pts, 3 reb
• Cierra Watkins: 6 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast
• Mackenzi Simmons: 6 pts

Team Totals: 27-68 FG (39.7%), 10-27 3FG (37.0%), 7-8 FT (87.5%), 38 reb, 12 ast, 16 TO Valley City State — Individual Statistics

• JayCee Richter: 17 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast
• Abby Aslesen: 13 pts, 15 reb, 2 ast
• Ellie Braaten: 8 pts, 2 ast
• Olivia Backus: 9 pts

Team Totals: 24-57 FG (42.1%), 5-14 3FG (35.7%), 7-18 FT (38.9%), 39 reb, 12 ast, 20 TO Team Comparison

• Rebounds: VCSU 39, DSU 38
• Points off Turnovers: DSU 17, VCSU 11
• Second-Chance Points: DSU 11, VCSU 9
• Bench Points: DSU 17, VCSU 14

Up Next
Dakota State continues their Frontier Conference action in North Dakota Saturday evening, visiting Mayville State (N.D.) at Lewy Lee Fieldhouse.  Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. in Mayville, N.D.