MADISON, SD – Seemingly, Jamestown Jimmie Women’s Basketball was in control of the last NSAA Women’s Basketball Championship game.

Then Dakota State once again showed who is the league’s best.

A 20-2 run over nearly eight minutes of the second half turned the game Tuesday as Dakota State rallied, then held on to defeat Jamestown 65-59 at the DSU Fieldhouse to gain the NSAA’s automatic bid into the NAIA Women’s College Basketball Tournament.

In the third quarter, Jamestown (19-10) used a 10-3 run to take a seven-point lead.  Jayden Wiest hit two three-pointers in that stretch and Jessika Lofstrom hit two jumpers over 2:30, ending with 5:31 left in the third quarter.

At 4:23, a Jailyn Martinson layup turned out to be the last points for the Jimmies for over seven and a half minutes.

For Dakota State (24-4), NSAA Player of the Year Tabor Teel gave the Trojans the lead for good with a three-point play, followed by a three-point basket by Cierra Watkins to gave Dakota State a 47-43 lead through three quarters.

The run continued as the fourth quarter began with Watkins sinking two free throws, a layup, then another free throw.  Olivia Ritter converted a layup with 7:14 left and Dakota State led 54-43.

Kate Cordes brought Jamestown within four points twice on a late three-pointer and two-point bucket, but four free throws, two by Ritter, one by Watkins and one by Bria Wasmund, helped Dakota State hang on for its fourth victory this season over Jamestown and its first NSAA tournament win since 2022.  Dakota State appeared in the last 5 NSAA women’s title games.

Watkins scored 18 for the Trojans with six rebounds and four assists.  Lilli Mackley hit four three-pointers for 12 and Angela Slattery tallied 11.

Cordes scored 16 after being held to three at halftime.  Lofstrom had 12 points and Wiest notched nine.

photo credit: Dakota State University Athletics