DES MOINES, Iowa — Ninth-ranked DWU Women's Basketball squared off against the NCAA Division I Drake Bulldogs in an exhibition matchup on the road.
The higher level of competition gave the Tigers a good indication of their current standing as a team as they head into the 2025-26 season. Still, Drake's squad would not intimidate Dakota Wesleyan. The Tigers jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the first period thanks to opening points from Emma Yost and Avery Broughton, who were the only DWU players to record double-digit scoring efforts. Yost especially stood out against top-tier competition, posting 24 points, three boards, and two assists on an impressive 10-for-16 (62.5%) clip from the field. Shalayne Nagel was able to grab seven boards, leading the team, while Broughton, Jaida Young, and Maleighya Estes recorded five apiece to add to the offensive effort. Even so, the Drake offense was able to regain control of the contest, going on a run to close the first quarter with a 24-13 advantage. Dakota Wesleyan battled back before the half in the second quarter, posting 21 points in an impressive surge, and saw multiple contributors add points to the board, including Taliyah Hayes, who posted five points and two assists on the day. The well-rounded effort kept DWU within two possessions at the half, trailing 38-34 to the Bulldogs.
A three-pointer from Yost opened the half for the Dakota Wesleyan scoring effort before the Bulldogs rattled off a stretch of points to extend their lead to double digits. The Tigers continued to battle, however, with Yost and Broughton continuing to trade baskets through the third period. Dakota Wesleyan was able to fight in the paint to get some hard-earned points at the end of the third period to add to their total, but the Bulldogs maintained a 58-44 lead heading into the final 10 minutes of play. Dakota Wesleyan added 13 more points to the scoreboard in the fourth period, with Avery Orth and Isabelle Ellwein adding buckets to the effort. Even in an exhibition competition, the Tigers were ultimately up to the challenge and had a solid showing against an upper-level opponent. DWU will look to build on the road contest as the team heads into its regular-season slate.
DWU Women's Basketball will open standard competition against Bismarck State as a part of the season's first doubleheader at the Corn Palace on Tuesday, November 4th, at 6:00 PM. See the full 2025-26 schedule here.