March 14, 2026

MADISON, S.D. – Third-seeded Dakota State (S.D.) delivered an offensive showcase Saturday night, defeating 11th-seeded Bethel (Kan.) 104–74 in the NAIA Women's Basketball National Tournament Second Round in the Naismith quadrant at the DSU Fieldhouse.  The Trojans hit the century points for the second straight points, improving their NAIA national tournament's school record for most points scored (previous national tournament's school record was 102 points Friday night in 102-51 win over Grand View, Iowa).

Dakota State outscored Bethel's bench 57-10 in the game.  DSU scored over 100 points for the fourth time in the last six games.

The Trojans lifted their overall record to 28-5, tying for the second most wins in school history with the 2023-24 squad.  Dakota State closed their home schedule with an undefeated 16-0 record, the second time in the past four seasons that the Trojans finished their home schedule undefeated.

DSU also won their rematch with Bethel, a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, from their earlier season contest at the Kansas Wesleyan Classic.  The Trojans earned a 100-75 victory over the Threshers.

Bethel, the eleventh seed in the Naismith quadrant, ended their season with a 21-10 overall record.

How it happened

Dakota State led from start to finish, opening the game with a fast-paced attack that created early turnovers and transition opportunities. The Trojans jumped out to a 29–16 first-quarter lead and never trailed for the rest of the game.  DSU had eight different players scored in the first quarter to lead the balanced offense attack and forced the Threshers to nine turnovers.

DSU extended the margin in the second quarter with sharp outside shooting and strong defensive play, taking a 49–30 halftime lead. Mackenzi Simmons fueled the surge with multiple three-pointers while the Trojans forced several Bethel turnovers that led to quick points.

Dakota State continued to control the game after halftime, shooting efficiently and dominating the paint. The Trojans outscored Bethel 25–21 in the third quarter to push the lead to 74–51 entering the final period. From there, DSU closed the contest with a 30-point fourth quarter to secure the 104–74 victory.

Dakota State's depth proved to be a key factor in the win. The Trojans' bench contributed 57 points, helping maintain offensive momentum throughout the game. DSU also controlled key statistical areas including points off turnovers (32–17), points in the paint (46–32) and fast-break points (34–25).

Trojans Statistical Leaders

• Mackenzi Simmons: 22 points (season high), 5-of-6 from three-point range
• Caitlin Dyer: 18 points, 5 assists
• Tabor Teel: 15 points, 10 rebounds (20^th double-double), 3 steals
• Hamtyn Heinz: 13 points, 3 rebounds
• Ella Carstensen: 10 points
• Bria Wasmund: 6 assists
• Cierra Watkins: 5 assists, 3 steals
• Brooke Gunderson: 7 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals
• Madala Hanson: 8 points

Dakota State shot 52.8 percent from the field (38-of-72 field goals) and 43.8 percent from three-point range (14-of-32 3-point field goals) while finishing with 23 assists and 14 steals.

Bethel Statistical Leaders 

• Kendall Locke: 25 points, 7 assists
• Karlee Locke: 16 points, 8 rebounds
• Caryn Yoder: 11 points, 7 assists
• Emersyn Eischen: 6 points, 8 rebounds

Bethel finished 31-of-69 from the field (44.9 percent) and 5-of-14 from three-point range but struggled to keep pace with Dakota State's scoring runs throughout the night.

By the records

• Tabor Teel moved passed Savannah Walsdorf (552 points) for third most single season points with 561 points.
• Teel also extended her single season rebounds record of 346 rebounds, 63 more rebounds than the previous school record by Julie Fiegen with 283 rebounds during the 1985-86 season.
• Dakota State's 104 points tied for 14^th most points in a single game in the school record book, but the most points scored in NAIA national tournament contest in school history.
• It is the first time in school history that DSU scored back-to-back 100-plus points in NAIA national tournament contests.

Up Next

Dakota State returns to Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa, for the fourth time in the past six seasons.  The Trojans will face their third straight double-digit seed in the Naismith quadrant, taking on familiar national tournament foe No. 10 Indiana Wesleyan, who upset No. 2 seed Rio Grande (Ohio) 86-80 Saturday evening.  The game is scheduled for 3 p.m. tip-off.

It is the third time in the past four seasons that both DSU and IWU faced each other at the Tyson Events Center in the national tournament.