SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The top-seeded North Dakota State women's basketball team came up short against second-seeded South Dakota State, 64-51, in the Summit League Tournament championship game on Sunday afternoon at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in front of 7,930 fans.

The Bison made their second-ever appearance in the league title game and first since 2024. The loss dropped NDSU to a 28-4 (15-1 Summit) overall record.

Avery Koenen led the way for the Bison narrowly missing a triple-double with a game-high 13 rebounds to go along with a career-best seven assists and 12 points. The Montevideo, Minn., native was also named to the Summit League Championship All-Tournament Team. Molly Lenz netted 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting from three, while Karrington Asp provided 10 points and five rebounds off the bench.

As a team, the Bison shot 32.8 percent (19-58) from the field and 29.6 percent (8-27) from three. NDSU also scored 22 points in the paint and handed out 15 assists.

After only leading by three through three quarters, 44-41, SDSU extended its advantage up to seven, 52-45, late in the fourth quarter with a jumper from Madison Mathiowetz with 4:08 to play. The Bison trimmed the edge back to five, 56-51, with a pair of layups from Asp with 1:37 remaining. However, NDSU couldn't cut the deficit down any further and dropped the contest, 64-51.