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Rocky Mountain College Athletics

Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears

Events and Results

Events and Results

Wasson vs BSC '25
Bailee Walls
52
Dakota State (SD) DaSU 12-3, 7-2
55
Winner Rocky Mountain (MT) ROCKY 10-5, 7-2
Dakota State (SD) DaSU
12-3, 7-2
52
Final
55
Rocky Mountain (MT) ROCKY
10-5, 7-2
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Dakota State (SD) DaSU 13 19 12 8 52
Rocky Mountain (MT) ROCKY 18 13 12 12 55

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Brandon Stinson | Sports Information & Media Coordinator

Defense Shines in #17 Rocky’s 55-52 Defeat of #4 Dakota State

BILLINGS, Mont.- The Battlin' Bears were up to the challenge on their home floor, holding the conference's leading offensive unit 30 points below their season average, defeating No. 4-ranked Dakota State on Saturday, 55-52.  

A rematch of the 2021 NAIA Second Round matchup in the Fortin Education Center lived up to expectations, as the Battlin' Bears earned a crucial victory over the Trojans. The victory marks the third win over a top-25-ranked opponent this season and the second win over a top-five-ranked team in the past two seasons. 

How It Happened
Paige Wasson again sparked the Battlin' Bear offense early, scoring eight early points to jump the Rocky women out to a 16-8 lead. While the offense stalled for the final four minutes of the quarter, the defense held strong, holding the Trojans to just one-of-eight from the field to take a five-point lead into the second quarter. 

Shots were falling for the Battlin' Bears to open the second quarter, converting on their first five shots from the field. However, turnovers limited shot opportunities, as Dakota State would eventually claw back to a three-point lead in the final minute. Lexy Burnham would convert a layup in the final seconds, breaking the Battlin' Bear deficit to one point at halftime. 

Brenna Linse powered the Battlin' Bear offense to open the second half, scoring the first eight points for Rocky, giving Rocky a slim one-point advantage. Neither offense found much momentum over the final minutes of the third quarter, as a pair of Dakota State free throws gave the Trojans a one-point edge going into the fourth quarter. 

Three-pointers from Gabriella Biittner and Paige Wasson were the lone baskets for either team through the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, as Rocky's defense held the Trojans 0-of-7 from the field and 0-of-6 from three leading into the final media timeout. Dakota State would finally break the seal, swinging the momentum with a 6-2 run to cut their deficit to one point with two minutes remaining. Paige Wasson would drop in a floater with 30 seconds to go, and despite a Trojan response with two of their own, Brenna Linse would seal the contest with a pair of free throws, giving the Battlin' Bears their third straight victory and the fifth straight win during conference play.  

Notable Statistics
Brenna Linse finished with a game-high 18 points, along with seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Paige Wasson added 17 points, along with five rebounds and three assists. Defensively, Isabelle Heggem controlled the paint throughout, pulling down 20 rebounds, as well as totaling four blocks in the win. 

The Battlin' Bears shot 39.3% from the field and 29.4% from three-point range while holding a slim advantage in rebounding, 38-30. 

Cierra Watkins totaled 11 points and eight rebounds, leading four Trojans to finish in double-figures. 

Up Next
Rocky Women's Basketball (10-5, 7-2 conf.) will look to continue their home momentum next weekend as they host Valley City State and Mayville State. 
 
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