Bison Season Ends in WBIT, But Historic Year Leaves Lasting Mark

PHOTO/ZACHARY LUCY

FARGO, N.D. — The postseason run came to an end Sunday afternoon for the North Dakota State Bison women’s basketball team, but the 2025-26 season will be remembered as one of the most successful in program history.

The Columbia Lions built a 34-point lead in the first half and went on to defeat North Dakota State 86-57 in the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament inside the Scheels Center at the Sanford Health Athletic Complex.

Despite the loss, the Bison closed the year with a 29-5 overall record, the most wins in the program’s Division I era and the highest total since the 1995-96 season. NDSU also reached postseason play for the fourth straight year and has now won at least one game in three consecutive postseason appearances.

Head coach Jory Collins said the season stood out not just because of the wins, but because of the group itself.

“I just told that particular team that this was the most joy that I’ve found in coaching a group, probably that I’ve had in my 15 years of being a head coach,” Collins said. “It really had nothing to do with the amount of wins that we had. It was just the quality of time spent with our players and our coaching staff and everybody that comes around every day. It was just really rewarding.”

Columbia improved to 22-8 with the victory and advances to face the winner of Kansas State and California in the WBIT quarterfinals on Thursday.

On the court Sunday, Avery Koenen led North Dakota State with 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting while adding seven rebounds and an assist. Karrington Asp also reached double figures, scoring 11 points off the bench with two rebounds.

As a team, the Bison shot 34.0 percent from the field and 74.1 percent at the free throw line. NDSU added 26 points in the paint, while the bench contributed 17 points.

Sophomore guard Marisa Frost said the season was special because of how much the team grew together.

“It was an awesome year for us. It was really fun,” Frost said. “I think our team got really close and not only with our win streak and our record, but I think just as a group we grew a lot.”

That growth is something the Bison believe will carry forward. With much of the roster expected to return, the experience gained this season — including championship-level games and another postseason appearance — could set the stage for more success.

Junior guard Abby Krzewinski believes the lessons learned this year will help the team take the next step.

“We’re just a growing team and obviously you just keep getting older. You keep getting more experience,” Krzewinski said. “Everybody on this team now has championship game experience. I think that’ll carry into next year and going in knowing what we’re capable of and that we have all the pieces to take that next step. But also just trusting the process. It’s not always going to be an upward climb. There are going to be bumps, so it’s about focusing on the next step.”

As the Bison head into the offseason, this record-setting year leaves a strong foundation and plenty of momentum for what the program hopes will be another deep run next season.