Santa Clarita, Calif – Dakota Wesleyan’s season came to an end in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament, falling just short in a 69-65 battle against The Master’s. Making their first tournament appearance since 2020, the Tigers fought back from an 18-point halftime deficit with a dominant second-half performance, outscoring the Mustangs 43-29 while shooting 59.3% from the field. Tampa Scott IV led the charge with 17 points and seven assists, nearly willing his team to a comeback in their return to the national stage.
The Tigers got a major boost from their bench, with Ethan Determan and Desman Botts combining for 22 points. Determan was lights out from deep, hitting 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, while Botts went a perfect 5-for-5 from the field. Dakota Wesleyan also locked in defensively, forcing eight steals and limiting The Master’s to just 40% shooting after the break. Their three-point shooting (46.7%) kept them within striking distance, as they found their rhythm from long range in the second half.
What hurt the Tigers most was The Master’s dominance on the glass, as the Mustangs grabbed 50 total rebounds, including 19 offensive boards that led to 19 second-chance points. Even with that disadvantage, Dakota Wesleyan kept fighting, forcing 12 turnovers and holding The Master’s to just 28% from three. Had a few more free throws fallen (they shot just 50% from the line), this game could have had a very different outcome.
Despite the final score, Dakota Wesleyan’s return to the national tournament was a significant milestone, breaking their postseason drought dating back to 2020. They nearly completed an incredible comeback, putting up 43 second-half points and outshooting The Master’s from three, 46.7% to 28.0%. Bench production played a key role, with Dakota Wesleyan’s reserves contributing 22 points, compared to 32 from The Master’s. However, free-throw struggles and a rebounding disadvantage ultimately proved costly in a hard-fought game that showed the Tigers belong back on the national stage.
Dakota Wesleyan’s season concludes with a strong performance on the national stage, capped by a determined effort against one of the nation’s top teams. Their 20-10 record (13-7 in conference) reflects a successful campaign, highlighted by key individual performances and significant team achievements.