January 9, 2026
BISMARCK, N.D. — The NAIA's No. 4 ranked Dakota State (S.D.) University women's basketball team used a balanced scoring attack with five players scoring in double digits and a strong third quarter to pull away from Bismarck State (N.D.) Friday evening, earning a 93-82 road victory at the BSC Armory.
The Trojans snapped their two-game losing streak and improved to 13-3 overall and 8-2 in conference play. The Mystics dropped to 2-12 on the season and 2-8 in league action.
How it happened
Dakota State set the tone early, jumping out to a 24-15 lead after one quarter behind efficient shooting and solid interior play. The Trojans were 9-of-23 from the field in the first ten minutes, including 4-of-7 from the 3- point line. BSC was held to 6-of-20 from the field and 1-of-10 from the 3-point line in the first period.
The Mystics answered in the second period, outscoring the Trojans 22-21 to trim the deficit to 45-37 at halftime. Bismarck State shot 7-of-15 from the field in the second quarter, highlighted with 6-of-11 from the 3-point arc. Dakota State shot 9-of-16 from the field (56.3 percent) in the period.
Bismarck State trimmed Dakota State's lead to two points early in the third quarter before the Trojans made a late surge. Leading 49-47, the Trojans used a 23-13 outburst to grab a 73-60 lead after a pair of free throws by
Ella Carstensen with five seconds remaining. Kennedy Stormer closed the third quarter with a layup as DSU maintained their lead at 73-62.
DSU outscored BSC 28-25 in the third period. The Trojans shot a sizzling 62.5 percent from the field (10-of-16 field goals) compared to the Mystics 40 percent (8-of-20 field goals).
Holding a 73-66 lead in the fourth quarter, Dakota State went to score nine straight points to earn the biggest lead of the game at 82-66 after Carstensen's layup with 5:08 remaining.
Both teams scored 20 points in the final quarter as the Trojans prevailed to a 93-82 victory.
By the numbers
Five Trojans reached double figures, led by
Tabor Teel, who recorded a team-high 23 points (10-of-18 field goals) while grabbing 12 rebounds (11 defensive) for a double-double.
Caitlin Dyer added 16 points,
Cierra Watkins finished with 11 points,
Mackenzi Simmons scored 11 points, and
Bria Wasmund chipped in 10 points.
Carstensen also grabbed 12 rebounds (tied career high) for Dakota State. She had seven points.
Brooke Gunderson scored six points (tied career high) on her 3-of-3 field goals. Wasmund dished out five assists and stole the ball a career-high six times. Dyer and Watkins each had three steals.
Stormer led the Mystics with a game-high 25 points on her 8-of-21 field goals. She had eight assists and seven rebounds. Aleah McPherson added 16 points and nine rebounds. She had three steals.
Alionna Lawrence scored 15 points for BSC. Ashley Martodam tallied 11 points.
Dakota State shot 48.1 percent from the field (37-of-77 field goals) and held a 48-36 rebounding edge, while also forcing 27 Mystic turnovers that led to 18 points.
Bismarck State shot 38.1 percent of its three-point attempts (16-of-42 3-point field goals). The Mystics were limited to 37.3 percent from the field (28-of-75 field goals).
The Trojans outscored the Mystics 56-14 inside the paint and 27-12 in bench points.
Up next
Dakota State wraps up their season-high six-game Frontier Conference road trip Saturday night at Scott Gymnasium, taking on Dickinson State (N.D.). The league contest starts at 6 p.m. (Central Time)/7 p.m. (Mountain Time) in Dickinson, N.D.
