Women’s basketball falls short in GPAC Quarterfinals versus Bulldogs

Seward, Neb. – Despite trimming the margin to two points midway through the fourth quarter, the Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team suffered a 70-58 defeat versus No. 17 Concordia University in the GPAC Quarterfinals from Friedrich Arena in Seward, Neb.

 Jada Campbell (Alexandria, S.D.) scored five of the first seven points for Dakota Wesleyan as Concordia controlled a 10-7 advantage midway through the first quarter. Campbell finished off an assist from Rynn Osthus (De Smet, S.D.) and then converted 3-of-4 free throws from the free-throw line.

 Minutes later, Natalie Gottlob (Salem, S.D.) knocked down a pair of free throws as the Tigers (14-11, 12-11 GPAC) ended the night 15-of-21 from the charity stripe. With a three-point lead, CUNE tacked on a 3-pointer late in the opening period and controlled a 13-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

 Gottlob opened the second quarter with a basket at the rim, however, the Bulldogs (19-7, 17-5 GPAC) extended their lead to 23-9 and Dakota Wesleyan burned a timeout at the 7:13 mark. Out of the break, both teams responded as Campbell and Matti Reiner (Tripp, S.D.) tallied a pair of jumpers for DWU. Despite the Tiger momentum, Concordia contained a 15-point lead with 3:31 left in the first half.

 A pair of 3-pointers by Mya Wilson (Sioux Falls, S.D.) cut the deficit to 36-24 at halftime as the Blue and Gray outscored the Bulldogs 11-8 down the stretch. Gottlob, who recorded nine points and six rebounds, also scored three-straight points to help keep the Tigers within striking distance at the intermission.

 Dakota Wesleyan brought the score to within single digits as Reiner and Campbell, who both recorded double-doubles, knocked down a pair of field goals and the score sat 38-29. On the ensuing possession, Kaylee Kirk (Balaton, Minn.) drained a 3-pointer which forced a CUNE timeout at the 6:01 mark. Kirk, who tallied two of DWU's seven 3-pointers on the night, was assisted by Haidyn Pitsch (Prior Lake, Minn.).

 Concordia responded out of the break with a 6-0 run, though a 3-pointer by Pitsch off the pass from Osthus stunted the Bulldog's momentum. Dakota Wesleyan added on five more points before the end of the third stanza and faced a 49-42 margin with one quarter left to play. Osthus, who dished out a team-high three assists along with six points, converted a layup to close out the period. 

 To start the fourth quarter, both teams exchanged field goals once again and the score sat 57-50 at the 6:25 mark. Osthus then drained another Tiger 3-pointer off a pass from Kirk to cut the Concordia advantage to four points. On the next offensive possession, Reiner finished at the rim to help DWU close within two at the midway point of the period.

 CUNE answered with a six-point swing and held Dakota Wesleyan to just three points down the stretch as the Bulldogs ended the game on a 13-3 run. Concordia went on to secure the 70-58 home victory, despite being outrebounded 44-39 by the Tigers.

 Reiner paced DWU with 13 points as she finished 5-of-14 from the field along with 10 rebounds. Campbell chipped in a double-double as well with 12 points and a team-high 12 rebounds. Dakota Wesleyan shot 45.5% from the 3-point line in the second half and held CUNE to just 1-of-7 from behind the arch after halftime.

 The Tigers finish the 2020-21 season with a 14-11 record overall including a 12-10 mark in Great Plains Athletic Conference play.