TETON SWEEP: WILLISTON STATE TAKES THRILLERS OVER WESTERN WYOMING
The Williston State College women needed overtime to outlast Western Wyoming 95–91, and the men followed with a gritty 77–73 victory to cap an electric doubleheader.
WOMEN: BERG'S 30, HEFFERNAN'S POWER INSIDE LIFT TETONS IN OVERTIME
Williston State's women battled through a fast-paced, high-scoring affair, leaning on star performances from Jersey Berg and Leila Heffernan to secure a 95–91 overtime win.
Berg was unstoppable, pouring in 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting, attacking the rim and coming up with timely buckets throughout regulation and the OT period. Heffernan added a dominant 20 points and 5 rebounds, anchoring the Tetons inside against a rebounding-heavy Western Wyoming squad.
The Tetons' balanced attack proved essential. Sophie Barker delivered 12 points, while both Dani Jordan and Taylah Murtagh chipped in 11 apiece. Jordan was perfect from deep (2-for-2), and Murtagh provided an instant spark off the bench by drilling all three of her attempts from long range.
Despite being out-rebounded 40–22, Williston State countered with 54.1% shooting from the floor and a stellar 78.6% at the free-throw line, including several clutch makes in overtime.
Western Wyoming wouldn't go quietly. Peata Manumaleuga led the Mustangs with 21 points, featuring five three-pointers, while Austyn Feller added 14 points and 7 rebounds. With four Mustangs scoring in double figures, Western Wyoming kept the pressure on, but the Tetons' efficiency and late-game execution proved decisive.
MEN: MCDONALD ERUPTS FOR 41 AS TETONS HOLD OFF MUSTANGS
If the women's game was about balanced scoring, the men's contest was about one man taking over.
Sophomore guard Josiah McDonald delivered one of the best performances in recent Teton memory, exploding for 41 points, grabbing six rebounds, and swiping nine steals in a standout two-way showcase. McDonald shot 14-of-22 from the field, 3-of-7 from three, and hit 10 of 14 at the line — scoring more than half of WSC's total points.
McDonald's relentless pressure on both ends set the tone, while Eden Hobbs provided crucial support with 19 points and 6 rebounds, knocking down three threes and steadying the offense late.
Though Western Wyoming shot well from deep (41.2%), the Tetons forced 21 turnovers, turning defense into the margin they needed. Sean Pendleton led the Mustangs with 21 points, and Jacovey Campbell added 11, but McDonald's two-way takeover proved too much.
Williston State hit enough free throws down the stretch — 23-of-33 overall — to secure the 77–73 win.
