MITCHELL, S.D. — No. 10 Dakota Wesleyan Women’s Basketball hosted the Doane Tigers at the World’s Only Corn Palace in the team’s first home contest of 2026.
Both teams were able to convert on early possession, hitting tough shots from the field to keep the lead shifting between the two squads. Dakota Wesleyan was able to jump out to a 12-6 lead, but a quick flurry of threes from Doane tied the game back up. Avery Broughton was the most prominent scorer for DWU at the beginning of the game and ended with a final stat line of 17 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, as she helped keep the score tied at 15-15 after the first quarter.
Emma Yost stood out as the main scorer for Dakota Wesleyan by the end of the half and ended up posting 20 total points, while Rylee Rosenquist chimed in with 11 of her own alongside five boards. Doane was able to fight back towards the half, but the offensive output of Dakota Wesleyan kicked its way back into gear to take a multiple-score lead and head into the locker room holding a 32-26 lead.
DWU found its main advantage in the paint, which was more prominent as the game continued, thanks to the efforts towards the glass, which saw support from Shalayne Nagel, who ended the contest with three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Dakota Wesleyan was able to keep its momentum through the break at halftime and claimed full control of the contest as the offense kept up its pace. Jaida Young rounded out the starting rotation by posting six steals while also contributing five boards and three points, and Taliyah Hayes contributed points off the bench with seven in total.
DWU posted its highest-scoring period of the evening during the third in just over five minutes, eventually extending the lead to 59-35 with just 10 minutes to play after posting 27 points in the frame and limiting Doane to just nine. The fourth period saw Dakota Wesleyan keep control over the Tigers from Crete, winning the contest 72-45.
DWU found extra contributions off the bench from Avery Orth, Isabelle Ellwein, and Maleighya Estes, each posting three points and adding to the team’s major advantage from the field, outshooting Doane 43.5% to 30.2%. Dakota Wesleyan was able to limit its turnovers while taking advantage of 20 from the side of Doane.
DWU Women’s Basketball will be back in action against the Mount Marty Lancers at the Corn Palace on Saturday, January 10th, at 2:00 PM.