BETHEL (TN) OUTLASTS DAKOTA WESLEYAN, 54-53, IN NAIA SECOND ROUND MATCHUP

OMAHA, Neb. – Despite a 21-9 surge to open the contest, the No. 4 Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team dropped a heartbreaker, 54-53, versus No. 12 Bethel University (TN) in the second round of the 2022 NAIA Women's Basketball National tournament on Saturday afternoon from DJ Sokol Arena on the campus of Creighton University. Jada Campbell and Matti Reiner combined for 38 points, though Bethel (TN) secured the dramatic, one-point victory in the postseason affair.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Dakota Wesleyan, who won the opening tip, wasted no time jumping out to a quick start with a jump shot by Reiner and an executed pick-and-roll by Rynn Osthus and Campbell. DWU shot 53.9% in the first quarter and worked a 12-4 lead over Bethel (TN) with 3:38 left to play in the period. Aspen Hansen ensued with a made 3-pointer, and the Blue and Gray maintained a 21-9 edge after one quarter.

The Wildcats (21-13) commenced the second frame with a triple of its own, and BU scored the first six points of the period. A layup by Osthus along with a field goal by Natalie Gottlob halted the Bethel (TN) momentum for the moment while the Tigers (27-8) extended their advantage to nine points, 27-18. A BU offensive rebound matched with layups from Wildcat seniors Mickey Head and Millie Bryant assisted Bethel (TN) to its first lead of the afternoon, 30-29, with just over three minutes remaining until halftime. 

Campbell knocked down multiple free throws late as the Blue and Gray converted 11-of-12 (91.7%) attempts from the charity stripe. Though, the Wildcats won the frame, 23-10, thanks to a 14-4 surge to finish the quarter and led 32-31 at the intermission.

Getting out in transition, BU rattled home nine points to begin the second half, in spite of early free throws by Osthus and maintained a 41-33 edge at the 6:03 mark of the third quarter. The Tiger offense punched back with an 8-0 spurt over the next three minutes of action as Campbell went to work. A 6-foot-4 native of Alexandria, S.D., Campbell registered a game-high 20 points while Dakota Wesleyan evened the score at 41-41 with just over three minutes to play.

Kalynn Howard responded with a timely 3-pointer, however, to stop the BU offensive slump as the Wildcats converted five makes from beyond the arc in the game. Both teams matched one another at 12-12 in the stanza, though Bethel (Tenn.) clung to a narrow, 44-43 benefit with one quarter to play.

In the final stanza, the cardiac nature of the game transitioned over to the fourth quarter for the second-consecutive day beginning with a five-point lead by Dakota Wesleyan, 51-46, midway through the period. Unphased, BU bounced back with another surge of its own, and Bethel (TN) claimed a 54-51 advantage as the game reached 90 seconds to play. Dakota Wesleyan attempted to steal the win with one final shot on the final possesion of the contest, yet Bethel (TN) held on and punched its ticket to the 2021-22 NAIA Women's Basketball National tournament round of 16 with the dramatic 54-53 victory.

Ryann Roberts paced the Wildcats in scoring with 14 points while DWU outrebounded Bethel (TN) 38-32 on the glass. Osthus led the Tigers with four assists as the Blue and Gray dished out 13 assists. 

Head coach Jason Christensen and the Tigers wrap up the 2021-22 campaign with an overall record of 27-8 and 15-7 mark in Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) play while DWU graduates a pair of seniors in Kaylee Kirk and Gottlob.