Seward, Neb. – The Dakota Wesleyan women's basketball team put together a complete performance, combining efficient shooting with relentless rebounding to secure a hard-fought victory over Concordia University, Nebraska, in GPAC action on Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers (21-5, 16-4 GPAC) set the tone early, shooting at a solid clip from the field and an impressive 90.9% from the free-throw line. Dakota Wesleyan maintained its poise down the stretch, controlling the boards and limiting Concordia's second-chance opportunities with stifling defense.
Dakota Wesleyan jumped to a 16-8 lead after the first quarter. Taliyah Hayes led the charge early, contributing 5 points, while Avery Broughton dominated the paint with three blocks. Although the Bulldogs found their rhythm in the second quarter, the Tigers remained in control, carrying a 32-28 lead into halftime. Hayes paced the Tigers with 10 points at the break.
The Bulldogs made a push in the third quarter, but Dakota Wesleyan's defense kept them at bay. Despite a couple of turnovers, the Tigers maintained a narrow three-point lead. Concordia narrowed the gap to just one point with 1:23 left in the quarter. However, with the Tigers in the bonus, Emma Yost calmly knocked down two clutch free throws, extending the lead to 51-47 as the teams entered the final period.
In the fourth, the Tigers came out firing, with Emma Yost and Shalayne Nagel leading a 5-0 run in the first 40 seconds, forcing the Bulldogs to call a timeout. Dakota Wesleyan then extended the lead to nine with five minutes remaining, thanks in part to Hayes sinking two crucial free throws. The Tigers locked in defensively, finishing strong to seal the win at Friedrich Arena.
The Tigers controlled the boards, outrebounding Concordia 37-30, and forced the Bulldogs into 11 turnovers. Dakota Wesleyan's bench also played a pivotal role, contributing 38 points, further securing the victory.
Highlighted Player
Taliyah Hayes (Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D., Special Education) led the Tigers with a season-high 23 points and 5 rebounds. She knocked down five three-pointers and added two assists and a steal, delivering a well-rounded performance.
Head-to-Head (Concordia)
- The Tigers are now 20-40 all-time against Concordia with today's win.
- Dakota Wesleyan has won 7 of the last 12 matchups with Concordia.
- The Tigers complete the season sweep of the Bulldogs.
Up Next
The Tigers will travel to Forest City, Iowa, for a 6:00 p.m. matchup against Waldorf on Wednesday, February 19.