October 25, 2026
SPOKANE, Wash. — No. 3-ranked Dakota State (S.D.) built a 12-point halftime advantage Sunday evening, but No. 23 Oregon Tech rallied in the second half to defeat the Trojans 91-87 in a battle of nationally ranked NAIA women's basketball teams at the Errol Schmidt Athletic Center to close the Northwest Crossover Classic.
The Trojans led 45-33 at halftime and held an advantage as large as 17 points before the Owls outscored Dakota State 58-42 in the second half. Oregon Tech erupted for 33 points in the final quarter to complete the comeback.
Both teams moved to 1-1 overall after the contest. DSU is ranked No. 3 in the NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Poll, while OIT is ranked No. 23.
How it happened
Dakota State established control during the opening quarter, outscoring Oregon Tech 26-14. The Trojans connected on eight field goals, including three 3-pointers, and held the Owls to five field goals in the first 10 minutes.
Addy Johnson sparked DSU's early offensive production with nine first-quarter points and six rebounds.
Caitlin Dyer added seven points, while
Madala Hanson and
Hamtyn Heinz each knocked down a 3-pointer.
The Trojans continued to maintain their double-digit advantage in the second quarter. The Trojans produced the biggest lead of the game at 37-20 with 6:08 remaining after a pair of free throws by Dyer. Dakota State and Oregon Tech each scored 19 points in the period, allowing DSU to carry a 45-33 lead into the halftime break.
Johnson led Dakota State with 16 first-half points, while Dyer added 12. The Trojans made five 3-pointers during the opening 20 minutes and held Oregon Tech without a successful 3-point field goal in seven attempts.
Oregon Tech mounted a monstrous comeback in the third quarter, outscoring Dakota State 25-14 to trim the Trojans' advantage to 59-58 entering the final period.
The Owls received nine third-quarter points from Schmerbach and six from Andrews. Dakota State was limited to five field goals in the quarter and committed eight turnovers.
Bria Wasmund helped keep the Trojans in front by scoring seven points in the third quarter, including a 3-pointer. Simmons and Heinz also connected from beyond the arc.
The fourth quarter featured a high-scoring battle as both teams combined for 61 points.
Wasmund delivered an outstanding final period for Dakota State, scoring 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field, including a perfect 2-of-2 from the 3-point line. She also converted all three of her free throw attempts.
The Trojans shot 10-of-18 from the field (55.6 percent) and 3-of-6 from the 3-point line in the final quarter, producing 28 points.
Oregon Tech, however, answered with its most productive offensive quarter of the contest. The Owls shot 12-of-18 from the field (66.7 percent), connected on both 3-point attempts and made seven of eight free throws to score 33 points.
Schmerbach scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, while Anderson added seven and Andrews contributed five. The Owls also distributed nine assists in the final 10 minutes to secure the four-point victory.
OIT was 15-of-20 at the free-throw line compared to DSU 6-of-8 free-throws in the final twenty minutes of the game.
Inside the box score
Wasmund finished with career-high 25 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals. She converted nine of 14 field goal attempts, including three 3-pointers.
Johnson recorded 18 points and nine rebounds, shooting 5-of-10 from the field and 6-of-9 at the free throw line. She also made two 3-pointers.
Dyer scored 13 points on 3-of-7 shooting and converted six of eight free throws. Simmons contributed 10 points, eight rebounds, one block, and one steal off the bench, connecting on two 3-pointers.
Hanson added seven points and two steals. Heinz recorded six points on a pair of 3-pointers, while
Cierra Watkins collected six points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal.
Tatum Schmerbach led Oregon Tech with 27 points, six rebounds and six assists. Avery Andrews provided 17 points and seven rebounds off the bench, while Brooke Anderson added 15 points.
Dakota State shot 41.4 percent from the field, converting 29 of 70 attempts. The Trojans connected on 11 of 37 attempts from the 3-point arc (29.7 percent) and finished 18-of-27 at the free throw line (66.7 percent).
Oregon Tech shot 45.2 percent from the field (33-of-73), including 3-of-14 from beyond the arc (21.4 percent). The Owls converted 22 of 30 free throws (73.3 percent).
The Trojans outrebounded Oregon Tech 47-43, including a 14-12 edge on the offensive boards. Dakota State finished with 14 assists, nine steals and two blocked shots.
Oregon Tech recorded 20 assists, nine steals and eight blocks.
The Owls held a 23-12 advantage in points off turnovers, benefiting from Dakota State's 21 turnovers compared to 14 by Oregon Tech.
Dakota State scored 34 points in the paint, while Oregon Tech finished with 38. The Trojans held a slight 20-18 advantage in fast-break points. Both teams received 23 points from their reserves.
Up next
Dakota State returns to the Midwest region on Halloween as they visit Grand View (Iowa) in the match up of last year's NAIA Women's Basketball National Tournament's First Round. The game is set for 4 p.m. at Dave Sisam Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.
