March 2, 2026

BUTTE, Mont. – Top-seeded Dakota State (S.D.) built a double-digit first-quarter lead, but second-seeded Montana Tech stormed back and outlasted the Trojans 76-72 in a Frontier Conference women's basketball championship Monday evening at Butte Civic Center.  The four-day conference postseason tournament is hosted by Montana Tech.

Dakota State, ranked No. 7 in the final NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, is 26-5 overall record.  Montana Tech lifted their overall record to 25-4.

How it happened

Dakota State came out firing, shooting 52.9 percent in the opening quarter (9-of-17 field goals) and knocking down five three-pointers and 8-of-12 at the free-throw line to build a 31-17 advantage after 10 minutes.

Tabor Teel opened the scoring with a mid-range jumper, and Cierra Watkins quickly established herself inside and out. Bria Wasmund connected from beyond the arc, and Ella Carstensen added a three-pointer off an offensive rebound kick-out to extend the lead.

Watkins was dominant early, attacking the paint and cleaning up on the glass. The Trojans' defense also forced early turnovers that led to transition opportunities, helping DSU push the margin to as many as 19 points late in the quarter.

The first quarter highlighted with DSU using a 16-0 outburst to grab a 24-5 lead after a 3-pointer by Wasmund with 4:17 to go.

Montana Tech responded in the second quarter behind Brooke Badovinac and Liv Wangerin. The Orediggers shot 57.1 percent in the period (8-of-14 field goals) and outscored Dakota State 22-15 to trim the deficit to 46-39 at halftime.

Badovinac began asserting herself offensively, attacking the rim and stretching the floor with perimeter shooting. Wangerin controlled the boards and converted second-chance opportunities.

Despite the Montana Tech surge, Dakota State continued to get production from Watkins and Wasmund to maintain a seven-point cushion at the break.

Montana Tech carried its momentum into the third quarter, outscoring DSU 19-15.  The Orediggers' defensive pressure increased, and Dakota State struggled to find rhythm offensively.

Halle Haber provided key interior buckets for Montana Tech, while Badovinac continued to score in a variety of ways. Dakota State leaned on Watkins inside and timely perimeter shooting from Caitlin Dyer, but turnovers and missed opportunities allowed the Orediggers to close within three entering the fourth quarter, 61-58.

The final 10 minutes featured multiple lead changes. Watkins drained a critical three-pointer midway through the quarter to give DSU a 64-60 edge, but Montana Tech answered immediately with baskets from Badovinac and Wangerin.

With just over four minutes remaining, Watkins converted free throws to push the Trojans back in front at 71-68, but Montana Tech capitalized on offensive rebounds and clutch interior finishes to regain control.

In the final two minutes, the Orediggers converted key free throws and defensive stops to seal the 76-72 victory.  Montana Tech closed the game with an 8-0 run in the final 2:38.
  Dakota State Statistical Leaders

Cierra Watkins delivered a standout performance with career-high 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three-point range, while adding another career-high of 14 rebounds for a double-double.  She also added two blocked shots.

Bria Wasmund contributed 15 points, seven rebounds, and connected on 4-of-7 from the free-throw line.

Tabor Teel added 11 points and nine rebounds, while Caitlin Dyer chipped in three points and two assists. Off the bench, Mackenzi Simmons scored five points and Hamtyn Heinz added six points.

Dakota State shot 35.9 percent from the field (23-of-64 field goals), 23.7 percent from three-point range (9-of-38), and 63 percent at the free-throw line (17-of-27).

The Trojans outrebounded Montana Tech 46-44 but committed 16 turnovers compared to the Orediggers' 12.

Montana Tech Statistical Leaders

Brooke Badovinac led all scorers with 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including a perfect 2-of-2 from beyond the arc. She also grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double.

Liv Wangerin added 16 points and nine rebounds, while Halle Haber scored 15 points and pulled down eight boards. Hadley Humpherys contributed nine points and six rebounds.

Montana Tech shot 44.3 percent from the field (27-of-61 percent), 30 percent from three-point range (3-of-10), and 79.2 percent from the free-throw line (19-of-24). The Orediggers also scored 20 points off turnovers and added 15 second-chance points.
  Up next

Dakota State returns home next weekend as they host the NAIA Women's Basketball First and Second Round.  It will be the third straight year that DSU will be hosting the national tournament.  DSU will be hosting a watch party at the Beacom PREMIER Complex in the Heartland Room at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Montana Tech will find out where they will play when the NAIA Selection Show announces the 64-team field Thursday evening at 7 p.m. via NAIA's YouTube page.