October 24, 2026
SPOKANE, WASH. — The No. 3-ranked Dakota State University women's basketball team opened its 2026-27 season in dominating fashion Saturday evening, cruising to a 97-24 non-conference victory over Walla Walla (Wash.) at the Errol Schmidt Athletic Center at Saint George's High School.
The victory marked a career milestone for Trojans head coach
David Moe, who earned his 200th career coaching win.
The six Frontier Conference teams dominated the first day of the two-day Northwest Crossover Classic over teams from the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) with 6-0 record.
Dakota State improved to 1-0 overall, while Walla Walla fell to 0-1.
How it happened
Dakota State established control early, outscoring Walla Walla 29-9 in the opening quarter. The Trojans continued their offensive surge in the second period, holding the Wolves to just three points while adding 28 of their own to build a commanding 57-12 halftime advantage. The Trojans highlighted a 30-0 scoring outburst that started from the near of the first quarter through the near the end of the second quarter before the Wolves drained a 3-pointer with less than 30 seconds to go before halftime.
The Trojans maintained their momentum after halftime, erupting for a game-high 31 points in the third quarter. Dakota State connected on 10 of 19 field goals, including five 3-pointers in the period, and held Walla Walla to four points. DSU carried an 88-16 lead into the fourth quarter.
Both teams scored eight or more points in the final period, with Dakota State adding nine points and Walla Walla eight to complete the 73-point victory.
Inside the box score
Caitlin Dyer led the Trojans with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including two 3-pointers, while adding two steals.
Hamtyn Heinz followed with 14 points, connecting on 5-of-10 field goals and 3-of-6 shots from beyond the arc. She also registered four rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Mackenzi Simmons contributed 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds, shooting 4-of-11 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 at the free-throw line.
Bria Wasmund recorded 11 points, three assists and three steals, including two 3-pointers.
Ella Carstensen added 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and one blocked shot for the Trojans.
Angelina Chapple provided 10 points, seven rebounds, including six offensive boards, and two assists off the bench.
Cierra Watkins finished with eight points and seven rebounds, including four offensive boards.
Ryann Barry tallied five points, six rebounds and three assists, while
Addy Johnson contributed five points, three rebounds and one assist.
Allison Haslam led Walla Walla with six points on 3-of-14 shooting from the field. Atira Moore followed with five points and three rebounds, hitting the Wolves' lone 3-pointer of the contest.
Sidney Folkenberg led all players with 10 rebounds, including seven defensive boards for the Wolves. Abigail Howington added seven rebounds, two points, one assist and one steal.
Dakota State shot 42.5 percent from the field, making 34 of 80 attempts, compared to Walla Walla's 16.4 percent (9-of-55). The Trojans converted 10 of 36 attempts from 3-point range (27.8 percent), while the Wolves made just 1 of 17 (5.9 percent).
DSU finished 19-of-27 from the free-throw line (70.4 percent), compared to Walla Walla's 5-of-8 performance (62.5 percent).
The Trojans dominated the rebounding battle 62-36, including a 28-13 advantage in offensive rebounds. Dakota State dished out 17 assists compared to Walla Walla's two and committed just 11 turnovers compared to the Wolves' 31.
Dakota State also held a 46-10 advantage in points in the paint, 32-3 in fast-break points, 32-6 in points off turnovers and 47-9 in bench scoring.
Up next
Dakota State closes out the two-day tournament against No. 23 Oregon Tech, who fell to Providence (Mont.) 54-50 Saturday. The game is set for 10 p.m. (Central Time)/8 p.m. (Pacific Time).
