A highly anticipated women’s basketball clash on March 15, 2024, concluded with a decisive victory for No. 13 MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) over No. 9 Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) at the Cattle Classic held at Concordia University in Nebraska. MNU triumphed with a final score of 62-39, showcasing their dominance particularly in the second half.
The game began competitively, with DWU trailing by just four points at halftime, 24-20. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the final quarter as DWU managed only seven points, allowing MNU to outscore them 24-7 in that period. The Pioneers capitalized on their free throw advantage, making 15 out of 17 attempts compared to only four for DWU, who converted 4 of 8 free throws. Additionally, MNU maintained disciplined play with just nine turnovers, while DWU struggled with 20 turnovers.
Strong performances from MNU’s roster were pivotal to their success. Grace Carlson led the charge with 18 points, supported by Mary Lukert with 14 points and Zaylee Werth adding 11 points. The Pioneers’ depth and efficiency in scoring proved crucial against their ranked opponents.
For Dakota Wesleyan, Emma Yost was the standout player, scoring 11 points, making her the only Tiger in double figures. Teammates Rylee Rosenquist and Shalayne Nagel contributed seven points each, while Jaida Young and Avery Broughton notably each grabbed eight rebounds. Despite their efforts, DWU’s shooting woes were evident, with an overall field goal percentage of just 27.1%. The team struggled particularly in the second half, shooting 4-of-14 in the third quarter and only 3-of-16 in the fourth.
With this loss, DWU’s record now stands at 1-1 for the season. The team is set to compete again on March 16, 2024, against the 18th-ranked Arizona Christian University as they look to bounce back from this setback. The scheduled tip-off for this matchup is at 10:00 a.m.
