2018-19 schedule released for National Champion DWU women’s basketball

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball schedule has been released for the 2018-19 season, head women's basketball coach Jason Christensen announced Monday.

 The Tigers will begin the season at home in the Corn Palace on Oct. 30 against North Star Athletic Association member, Valley City State University. The Vikings finished the 2017-18 season ranked 14^th in the NAIA Division II after losing to the University of Saint Francis in the national tournament. DWU and VCSU will square off for a second time on Feb. 13 in Valley City, N.D.

 One week after playing VCSU, the Tigers travel to Iowa City, Iowa to take on NCAA Division I opponent Iowa University. The Hawkeyes finished last season with an overall record of 24-8, while finishing third in the Big Ten. Iowa made the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball National Tournament where they lost to Creighton University in the first round.

 Less than 24 hours after playing the Hawkeyes, DWU will take on Great Plains Athletic Conference rival Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. The Red Raiders finished last season ranked 11^th in the NAIA Division II, while finishing the season in the Fab Four where they lost to Concordia University. On Nov. 20, DWU will host the newest member of the GPAC, as the University of Jamestown comes to the Corn Palace. The Tigers defeated the Jimmies twice last season by 18 points at home and 11 points on the road. The two teams will play again on Jan. 20.

 In the middle of a four-game road trip, DWU will travel to Bellevue, Neb., to take on Bellevue University. The Bruins finished last season receiving votes. After the four-game road trip, the Tigers come home to take on in-state rival Dakota State University. Three days later on Dec. 15, DWU will take on Concordia University in a rematch of last year's National Championship Game where the Tigers defeated the Bulldogs, 82-59. The two teams will play again in Seward, Neb., on Feb. 9.

 On Dec. 19 and 21, DWU will compete in the West Palm Invite. The Tigers will take on Keiser University in the first game, while facing the University of Saint Francis on the second day. USF finished last season receiving votes in the NAIA Division II Coaches' Top 25 Poll, losing to Northwestern College in the NAIA National Tournament Quarterfinals.

 The Tigers conclude the regular season at home on Feb. 16 against Doane University.