Tetons roll past NDSCS to claim Region XIII title

The season that keeps getting better for the Williston State Tetons added another chapter Sunday.

Behind balanced scoring and key defensive adjustments, Williston State defeated the North Dakota State College of Science Wildcats 76-59 to capture the Region XIII championship and extend one of the most dominant seasons in program history.

The Tetons improved to 30-1 and pushed their winning streak to 27 games. They also finished 12-0 in the Mon-Dak Conference, securing the regular-season title along the way.

Williston State set the tone early, jumping out to a 22-16 lead after the first quarter and stretching the margin to 48-33 by halftime. The Wildcats never seriously threatened in the second half.

Sophie Barker led the Tetons with 19 points and 10 rebounds, adding five assists in a do-everything performance. Taylah Murtagh and Jersey Berg each scored 18 points, with Berg also contributing four assists.

Dani Jordan added 13 points and six rebounds as the Tetons shot 41.8% from the field and knocked down nine 3-pointers.

But the game’s most important moments may have come when Williston State had to adjust.

Freshman post Leila Heffernan picked up early fouls and spent significant stretches of both halves on the bench after collecting her third and fourth fouls early in the second half.

That opened the door for Emily Fixico, who delivered some of the most impactful minutes of the game. Fixico grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked three shots while helping defend NDSCS star Maggie Westling, widely considered the conference’s top post player.

Westling still produced 22 points and 15 rebounds for the Wildcats, but Williston State’s interior defense limited easy opportunities during key stretches.

Peyton Gette added nine points for NDSCS, while Lolo Carlow and Ezrah Baker each finished with eight.

The Tetons also won the rebounding battle 39-35 and recorded eight blocks as a team.

After the game, Berg was named Mon-Dak Conference Player of the Year, while Tetons coach Bill Triplett earned conference Coach of the Year honors.

With the regional championship secured, Williston State now turns its focus to the next step.

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The Tetons will travel to face the Triton College Trojans, champions of Region IV, in the district championship at 5 p.m. CST Saturday in River Grove, Illinois, with a berth in the national tournament on the line.