March 1, 2026

BUTTE, Mont. – Top-seed Dakota State (S.D.) used a dominant second quarter and strong defensive pressure to pull away from No. 5 seed Montana State-Northern for a 73-57 Frontier Conference Women's Basketball Postseason semifinal victory Sunday afternoon at Butte Civic Center.  The victory sent the Trojans to their sixth consecutive conference championship title game, their first time in the inaugural year with the Frontier Conference (past five years in the former North Star Athletic Association).

Dakota State (ranked No. 7 in the final NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 poll) raised their overall record to 26-4, earning their fourth straight win and their 14^th win in the last 15 games.  MSU-Northern ended their season at 17-12 overall record.
  How it happened

MSU-Northern started quickly, taking a 16-13 lead after the first quarter. The Skylights connected on three first-quarter three-pointers and briefly led by six points midway through the opening period, sparking their 9-0 scoring run for a 13-7 lead with less than four minutes left after a 3-pointer by Becky Melcher).

Dakota State responded with a decisive momentum swing in the second quarter. The Trojans outscored MSU-Northern 19-6, holding the Skylights to just two field goals in the period while forcing repeated turnovers. A late three-pointer by Bria Wasmund at the buzzer pushed DSU ahead 32-22 at halftime and capped a 19-6 frame.

Coming out of the break, Dakota State maintained control. Tabor Teel and Ella Carstensen fueled a strong offensive stretch as the Trojans outscored MSU-Northern 24-22 in the third quarter, extending the lead to 56-44 entering the final period.

MSU-Northern attempted to cut into the margin with perimeter shooting in the fourth, but Dakota State answered each run. The Trojans closed the game efficiently at the free-throw line and continued to capitalize on turnovers, securing the 16-point victory. Key Performers

Dakota State

• Tabor Teel — 26 points, 11 rebounds (18^th double-double of the season), 4 assists (10-for-19 field goals)
• Ella Carstensen — 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4-for-4 from three-point range (6-of-9 field goals)
• Bria Wasmund — 16 points, 6 assists, 5 steals
• Angelina Chapple — 4 points off the bench
• Madala Hanson, Brooke Gunderson — 3 points each
• Caitlin Dyer — 5 rebounds
• Cierra Watkins — 3 steals

Dakota State had strong bench production, scoring 24 bench points, which helped maintain energy throughout the game.

Montana State-Northern

• Lauren Gunn — 16 points (4-for-5 from three)
• Ciera Agasiva — 14 points, 5 rebounds
• Canzas HisBadHorse — 11 points, 9 rebounds
• Becky Melcher — 7 points, 5 assists
• Taya Trottier — 6 points, 9 rebounds

Team Statistics Comparison

Category	MSU-Northern	Dakota State
Field Goals	18-48 (37.5%)	27-67 (40.3%)
3-Pointers	10-21 (47.6%)	9-30 (30.0%)
Free Throws	11-14 (78.6%)	10-16 (62.5%)
Rebounds	41	38
Assists	10	13
Turnovers	26	12
Points Off Turnovers	5	21
Bench Points	3	24

Dakota State's biggest advantage came in ball security and defense, forcing 26 MSU-Northern turnovers and converting them into 21 points, compared to just five points off turnovers by the Skylights.
  Up Next

Dakota State awaits the winner of the second semifinal between No. 6 seed Montana Western and No. 2 seed Montana Tech.  The Frontier Conference Women's Basketball Championship game tips off at 6 p.m. (Central Time)/5 p.m. (Mountain Time).  The game will be available via SWX Local Sports YouTube page.