Mitchell, S.D. – Dakota Wesleyan women’s basketball continued its dominant season on Wednesday night, defeating Doane 74-45 at the Corn Palace in the GPAC tournament quarterfinals.
Dakota Wesleyan (23-6, 18-4 GPAC) jumped out to a 17-12 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 44-19 by halftime, fueled by a balanced offensive attack. The Tigers shot 43% from the floor and 34% from three-point range, while holding Doane (13-15, 10-12 GPAC) to 26% shooting and just 15% from beyond the arc.
Shalayne Nagel led the way for Dakota Wesleyan with 14 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks, while Maleighya Estes added 13 points off the bench, including four made three-pointers. Rylee Rosenquist chipped in 12 points and five assists, and Taliyah Hayes contributed 10 points off the bench. The Tigers recorded 20 assists as a team, a testament to their ball movement and offensive efficiency.
Doane struggled to find rhythm offensively, with Megan Chambers leading her team with nine rebounds and 13 points. Keeleigh Knobbe and Rylie Rice each scored 11 points, but the team as a whole could not keep pace with Dakota Wesleyan’s scoring.
Dakota Wesleyan hosts No. 3 seed Hastings at the Corn Palace on Saturday at 3 pm in the GPAC tournament semifinals.