Hot-shooting Dakota State races past Bismarck State 113-83 in Frontier quarterfinal

BUTTE, Mont. — Top-seed Dakota State (S.D.) rode a blistering offensive performance and commanding work on the glass to a 113-83 win over eighth-seed Bismarck State (N.D.) on Friday in a Frontier Conference women’s basketball tournament quarterfinal at Butte Civic Center.

The Trojans poured in 32 points in the first quarter and never relinquished control, advancing behind a balanced attack that produced 37 field goals, 20 3-pointers and 19 made free throws. Dakota State also dominated the boards with a 52-34 rebounding margin and shared the ball effectively, finishing with 33 assists to just 11 turnovers.

Bismarck State stayed within range early, trailing 32-20 after the first quarter and 58-40 at halftime, but struggled to match Dakota State’s depth and perimeter shooting. The Trojans effectively put the game out of reach in the third quarter, outscoring the Mystics 36-24 in the frame to stretch the lead to 94-64 entering the fourth. Dakota State’s quarter-by-quarter scoring (32-26-36-19) reflected consistent pressure on the Mystics’ defense.

Guard Hamtyn Heinz led Dakota State with 20 points, fueled by six 3-pointers and seven made field goals overall. Tabor Teel added 17 points to go with eight assists and seven rebounds, impacting the game as both a scorer and facilitator. Caitlin Dyer matched Teel with 17 points of her own, including four 3-pointers, as the Trojans’ perimeter trio helped account for much of the team’s 20-for-47 shooting from beyond the arc.

Dakota State set the tone early in the first quarter when Teel converted a layup and the ensuing free throw with 7:42 remaining, pushing the Trojans to a 10-2 lead and their first double-digit advantage. Bismarck State briefly cut into the margin in the second quarter on a 3-pointer by Kennedy Stormer with 4:35 left to make it 47-34, but the Mystics could not sustain a run. In the third quarter, a 3-pointer from Mackenzi Simmons extended Dakota State’s lead to 72-49 with 5:35 on the clock, and a late 3 from Eliza Oltmanns in the fourth made it 113-81 with 1:47 remaining.

Despite the loss, Stormer delivered one of the top individual performances of the game for Bismarck State. She finished with 33 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds while hitting six 3-pointers and committing just one turnover, accounting for a large share of the Mystics’ 17 made 3s. Aleah McPherson added 14 points, four 3-pointers, five rebounds and two steals as Bismarck State tried to keep pace from long range.

Overall, Bismarck State shot 29-for-78 from the field and 17-for-51 from 3-point range but struggled to generate enough inside scoring or second-chance opportunities to close the gap. Dakota State’s 16 offensive rebounds, compared with 12 for Bismarck State, and its ability to get to the foul line more frequently (19-for-24 at the stripe) helped secure the 30-point margin.

With the victory, Dakota State (25-4 overall record) moves on in the Frontier Conference postseason bracket semifinals Sunday, while Bismarck State’s season ends at 9-19 overall record in their first year membership with the NAIA.