MITCHELL, S.D. — No. 10 Dakota Wesleyan Women’s Basketball hosted the Mount Marty Lancers in the Corn Palace as a part of a GPAC doubleheader.
The Tigers got to work early on offense with Emma Yost initially leading the way, scoring five in the first period en route to a 17-point performance. After jumping out to a 9-6 lead on the Lancers, the game slowed back down on the scoring front as the defenses began to settle in. the Tigers would only put up one more basket in the period, but the defensive play on the other side of the court kept DWU in the lead at an 11-7 scoreline after the first 10 minutes of the game.
Offensive production ramped up in the second period, with DWU posting 20 points, while seeing contributions from Rylee Rosenquist in the starting rotation with 14. In comparison, Taliyah Hayes was able to record eight points off the bench.
Avery Broughton was the main force towards the glass with an impressive 12 points, 12 rebounds, and a new career-high of six blocks during the contest. Her six blocks also tied a program record, being the third Tiger to reach the mark in a single contest (Randi Morgan 2003-04, Jada Campbell 2022-23) With a handful of early rotators making contributions, including Avery Orth with four points in the paint, the Tigers were able to push their lead out to 31-21 at the half.
The second half saw Dakota Wesleyan find its rhythm before the Lancers could regain their footing, putting up 13 points to MMU’s four through the first five minutes of the second half. DWU was able to find the biggest difference on the boards, outnumbering the Lancers 44-22 in the category by the end of the game.
Shalayne Nagel made her presence known in the paint alongside Broughton, posting nine points and seven rebounds, and Jaida Young rounded out the starting rotation with a respectable final stat line of six rebounds, four assists, and two points. DWU kept its lead through the third period, 55-28, even after an extended break in the middle of the frame.
Maleighya Estes was able to make a few big shots off the bench and added seven to the scoreline by the end of the game, while Isabelle Ellwein posted six of her own, helping give the Tigers another weapon to pad the lead with. The Tigers claimed the win over the in-state GPAC rival, 79-50. Dakota Wesleyan outshot Mount Marty 47% to 29% from the field and was able to land 44% of its shots from three.
DWU Women’s Basketball will be back in action next week as they continue the homestand against the Waldorf Warriors on Wednesday, January 14th, at 5:00 PM.