February 21, 2026

MADISON, S.D. – No. 6 Dakota State (S.D.) put together one of its most complete offensive performances of the season Saturday evening, cruising to a 117-56 victory over Bismarck State (N.D.) at the DSU Fieldhouse in NAIA women's basketball action.  It was Seniors Night for three DSU women's basketball athletes – Caitlin Dyer, Brooke Gunderson, and Tabor Teel.

The Trojans raised their overall record to 24-4 and completed their inaugural Frontier Conference season with 19-3 record.  DSU claimed the first Frontier Conference's automatic bid to the NAIA Women's Basketball National Tournament, which is set to open on March 13.  Dakota State also finished their home regular season schedule with an undefeated 14-0 record.

Bismarck State dropped to 9-18 overall record and finished their first year in the Frontier Conference with a 9-13 league record.  The Mystics finished eighth in the league and were the final team to advance to the conference postseason tournament next weekend.

Dakota State controlled the contest from start to finish, never trailing and building a lead as large as 61 points in the fourth quarter.  The Trojans produced the second-most single-game points in school history, surpassing 116 points set by the 2022-23 squad versus Presentation (S.D.) in the quarterfinal round of the North Star Athletic Association postseason tournament.

DSU earned their sixth straight conference regular season title since 2020-21 season (five in the former North Star Athletic Association and first in Frontier Conference).  It is the first time since the 1980-88 that the Trojans had won six or more consecutive regular season titles - record is eight straight conference titles in the former South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference).
  First Half Highlights

Dakota State established control immediately with aggressive defense and transition offense. The Trojans opened on a 12-4 run behind early baskets from Tabor Teel and Mackenzi Simmons, forcing turnovers that turned into quick points.

DSU led 29-11 after the first quarter, shooting 60 percent from the field (12-of-20 field goals) while holding Bismarck State to 28.6 percent shooting (4-of-14 field goals).

In the second quarter, the Trojans continued to push the pace. Simmons knocked down multiple perimeter shots, while Teel attacked inside and in transition. Dakota State outscored the Mystics 30-20 in the period and carried a commanding 59-31 halftime advantage into the locker room.
  Third Quarter Highlights

The game broke fully open in the third period as Dakota State poured in 35 points. Teel sparked the run with three-pointers and fast-break finishes, while Watkins and Simmons added scoring in transition.

A 17-point scoring run midway through the quarter stretched the margin beyond 40 points as DSU forced turnovers and converted easy baskets. The Trojans led 94-45 entering the final quarter.
  Fourth Quarter Highlights

Dakota State's depth shined in the final period. The Trojans continued to score efficiently despite heavy substitutions, getting contributions from nearly everyone in uniform.

Late three-pointers from Ryann Barry and Lillie Ross capped the scoring as DSU finished with a season-high 117 points and a 61-point victory margin.
  Dakota State Team Highlights

• Shot 53.4 percent from the field (47-of-88 field goals)
• Hit 15 three-pointers on 35.7 percent shooting
• Won the rebounding battle 55-47
• Recorded 29 assists on 47 made baskets
• Outscored Bismarck State 64-28 in the paint
• Bench production: 53 points

Dakota State Individual Leaders

Tabor Teel

• 28 points (12-20 field goals)
• 8 rebounds (broke single-season rebounding Friday evening and extend their single-season record with 297 rebounds – previous single-season record holder by Julie Fiegen with 283 rebounds in 1985-86)
• 7 assists

Mackenzi Simmons

• Season-high 18 points (7-8 field goals, 4-5 3-point field goals)

Ella Carstensen

• 15 points
• 8 rebounds

Cierra Watkins

• 10 points
• 8 rebounds

Bria Wasmund

• 10 points
• 6 assists

Other key contributors:

• Caitlin Dyer — 9 points
• Angelina Chapple — 7 points
• Brooke Gunderson — 7 points

Bismarck State Individual Leaders

Kennedy Stormer led the Mystics with:

• 21 points
• 9 rebounds

Alionna Lawrence added 9 points, while Harper Harris scored 7 points and Ashley Martodam finished with 6 points. By the Numbers

Category	Bismarck State	Dakota State
Field Goals	20-76 (26.3%)	47-88 (53.4%)
3-Point FG	4-43 (9.3%)	15-42 (35.7%)
Free Throws	12-19	8-10
Rebounds	47	55
Assists	7	29
Turnovers	19	8
Points in Paint	28	64
Fast Break Points	7	36

Up Next

Dakota State will be the No. 1 seed in the Frontier Conference Women's Basketball Postseason Tournament, which begins Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. (Central Time)/12 p.m. (Mountain Time).  The Trojans face Bismarck State for the second straight game, where the four-day conference tournament will be held at Butte Civic Center in Butte, Mont.