MITCHELL, S.D. – After rescheduling its game from Nov. 18, the Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team squares off against Dordt University for a Great Plains Athletic Conference bout at 3 p.m. tomorrow in Sioux Center, Iowa.
The game marks the first matchup between the teams this season with DWU holding a 5-4 record overall, while Dordt enters the game with an overall record of 6-6.
DWU is also riding a two-game win streak into the road contest after defeating Hastings College a week ago and taking down (RV) Midland University on Dec. 19. Defense leads the way for the Tigers as they rank 15th nationally in blocked shots with 37 on the season. DWU is also 18th in the NAIA in total rebound defense at 33.1.
Pacing the Tigers on defense is Jada Campbell (Alexandria, S.D.) as she leads the team with 1.6 blocks per game and is 25th in the country with 14 blocks on the year. Kaylee Kirk (Balaton, Minn.) checks in at 11th nationally with 47 assists this season and is 23rd in the NAIA with 5.2 assists per game. Freshman Haidyn Pitsch (Prior Lake, Minn.) rounds out the statistical leaders as she paces the offense with 14.2 points per outing. She has scored in double figures in all but one games this season.
On the opposing bench, Dordt began the season ranked eighth in the preseason polls. However, the Defenders began 2-5 to start the season before winning four of their last five games. Dordt ranks inside the top-10 in the NAIA in three different categories as they are sixth in total blocks with 48, sixth in total offensive rebounds with 540 and are ninth in 3-point field goals made with 95 on the season.
Ashtyn Veerbeek leads the team with 14.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per contest. She also ranks nationally in six different areas, checking in at ninth in total rebounds with 114 on the season.
Tomorrow marks the 68th meeting all-time between the two teams, with DWU holding a 43-24 advantage. Although, the Defenders won three contests over the Tigers a season ago.
The game can be streamed online at https://vimeo.com/event/572671 with live stats at https://www.dakstats.com/Websync/Pages/WebcastPlayByPlay/WebcastPBP.aspx?association=10&sg=WBB&compID=242240&sea=NAIWBB_2020.