MITCHELL, S.D. — No. 9 Dakota Wesleyan Women’s Basketball hosted the 10th-ranked Concordia Bulldogs at the Corn Palace in one of the Great Plains Athletic Conference’s most anticipated matchups of the regular season.
The Tigers jumped out to a 5-0 lead with the initial momentum, but the Bulldogs were able to settle in as the first period became a back-and-forth affair. The early standout was reigning GPAC Defensive Player of the Week, Avery Broughton, who was keen from the field and aggressive at the glass to help the Tigers surge to a 20-12 lead at the end of the first period. Broughton went on to record 23 points and nine rebounds, along with a block at the rim on defense. She was aided early by Rylee Rosenquist, who posted six points in the first half and went on to record 18 following an exciting second half of play, alongside Taliyah Hayes, who recorded seven points by the end of the contest.
Dakota Wesleyan had some turnover troubles during the first half, but they were able to force missed baskets at the other end to stay in control before the half. Dakota Wesleyan was able to take a 37-27 lead heading into the half, thanks to keen shooting from the field. DWU found their advantage in the paint, and limiting CUNE’s effectiveness from range and under the basket gave the Tigers the advantage out of the break.
The second half saw both offenses connect on more opportunities, but the continued success of the Tigers from range kept the Bulldogs down on the scoreboard by a few possessions. Even still, Concordia was able to connect on more chances from the field, but the continued pressure from DWU’s offense, which included 10 points from Maleighya Estes and an additional 10 from Emma Yost, was able to find responses on the other end of the court. Jaida Young found an expanded role in the second half with a short scoring flurry, alongside a team-leading seven assists, six boards, and three key steals down the stretch. Shalayne Nagel rounded out the starting rotation for the Tigers and posted six rebounds, four points, and an impressive three blocks.
Crucial points from Rosenquist at the end of the third extended DWU’s lead to 55-45 just ahead of the final period. The first couple of minutes in the fourth period saw the Bulldogs force a couple more turnovers, but the continued production and rebounding ability of the defense kept them at arm’s length. DWU ended the contest outrebounding CUNE 34-23, which ended up making a huge difference as the contest wound to a close, especially with the Bulldogs able to cut the lead down to just seven points with under four minutes to play. The Bulldogs shortened the lead to 69-64 with a minute and a half to play in regulation, but a made jumper from Yost pushed DWU past the 70-point mark and gave them a three-possession lead, propelling the Tigers to a 78-69 victory over CUNE. Dakota Wesleyan completed the season sweep of the top-10 Concordia Bulldogs following the day’s win and the team’s road victory over CUNE back in December.
DWU Women’s Basketball will be back in action on Wednesday, January 21st, against the Morningside Mustangs on the road.