SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Thanks to a 25-0 run in the second quarter, the Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team secured its first victory of the 2017 NAIA DII Women's National Basketball Championship over Milligan College 66-54 at the Tyson Event Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
The Tigers (26-7) played in front of a large and spirited DWU crowd, which seemed to give them a home court feel. With the win, DWU tallied its 10th national championship victory to advance to the second round and will take on No. 3 seed Eastern Oregon University at 1:45 p.m. on Friday.
"I am glad we got a lead and we did the things we needed to do down the stretch to finish the game to win," Head Coach Jason Christensen said.
Despite a slow start in the first quarter, the Tigers began their run at the end of the quarter after Amber Bray (Anoka, Minn.) nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer to put the Tigers in front 19-12. As the third quarter began, the Tiger offense was able to scatter a few points, but Milligan began a late comeback effort. However, having played on a national stage a season ago, DWU kept Milligan at bay to earn the 11-point victory.
DWU was led by Ashley Bray (Anoka, Minn.) who led all scorers with 18 points, while grabbing nine boards. Sophomore Rylie Osthus (De Smet, S.D.) added 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Amber Bray recorded 12 points and seven rebounds, while Sarah Carr (Huron, S.D.) chipped in seven points and nine rebounds. The Tigers shot 39 percent from the field, while holding Milligan to 27 percent shooting. DWU also outrebounded Milligan 53-42.
"All year we have been preaching that if we keep them off the boards, than we will most likely win the game and the fact that we are much bigger than a lot of teams as well," Ashley Bray said.
Friday will mark the first meeting between DWU and Eastern Oregon. The Mountaineers defeated Dickinson State 80-71 in the final game on Wednesday night.