MADISON, S.D. – The Grand View Vikings made the trip to the DSU Fieldhouse on Friday for the opening round of the NAIA National Women's Basketball Tournament, drawing the No. 3 seed Dakota State Trojans as their first-round opponent. The Vikings entered the contest at 22-8 on the season, but Dakota State's relentless defensive pressure and explosive transition game proved to be too much to handle, as the Trojans pulled away for a 102-51 victory. 

The first quarter set the tone for what would be a challenging afternoon. Dakota State came out of the gates with suffocating defensive intensity, forcing turnovers on several of Grand View's early possessions and converting them into fast-break points before the Vikings could get set. The Trojans raced out to a 19-0 lead before Eva Solseth finally got Grand View on the board with two free throws with just over three minutes remaining. Abigail Jones provided a bright spot late in the frame, swatting multiple shots and keeping the Vikings competitive on that end of the floor. Grand View trailed 22-2 after one, but the fight in the locker room was far from gone. 

The second quarter was Grand View's best of the afternoon, and it showed exactly what this team is capable of when things click. Anna Gossling was electric, scoring eight of her team-high 17 points in the period and doing it in a variety of ways. A pair of mid-range jumpers, a steal-and-score in transition, and a pull-up three-pointer that cut the deficit to 16. Ellie Knock added four points, including a smooth jumper off a Lily Smith assist, and Amaya Davison converted back-to-back free throws to keep the momentum alive. The Vikings trailed 48-22 at the half but had rediscovered their rhythm heading to the locker room. 

Grand View carried that energy into the third quarter, continuing to chip away. Gossling opened the second half with a mid-range jumper, and Claire Galbraith added a layup to keep the Vikings moving. Addalyn Rooney provided a spark off the bench, scoring four points and bringing energy every time she stepped on the floor. But Dakota State's interior presence was difficult to match all night. The Trojans outscored Grand View 27-15 in the period, leaning heavily on Ella Carstensen and Tabor Teel in the paint to extend their advantage heading to the fourth. 

The final quarter showcased the character that defined Grand View's 2025-26 season. Knock drilled a three-pointer off a Rooney assist to draw some roars, and Smith converted a tough jumper through contact to complete a three-point play. Gossling capped a standout individual performance with a late triple, finishing the night as Grand View's leading scorer. Bench players Rooney, Smith, Hartley, and Solseth all contributed in the final frame, ensuring the Vikings competed all the way to the final buzzer. 

GAME NOTES 

• Anna Gossling led Grand View with 17 points, shooting 7-of-13 from the field and 3-of-6 from three-point range, adding 2 assists, 1 rebound, and 1 steal. 

• Ellie Knock was a force in the paint, recording 4 blocks to go along with 9 points and 4 rebounds. 

• Tabor Teel led Dakota State with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks, while Ella Carstensen added 15 points in 13 minutes off the bench. 

• Dakota State scored 33 fast-break points and 68 points in the paint, reflecting the Trojans' ability to turn defensive pressure into easy offense. 

• Grand View finishes the 2025-26 season with a record of 22-9. 

SEASON WRAP 

The Vikings close out the 2025-26 campaign having earned a bid to the NAIA National Tournament, record of 18-2 in conference play, record of 13-0 at home, and a Heart of America Conference semifinal appearance. Grand View's blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting future for Vikings Women's Basketball.