SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Dakota Wesleyan Women's Basketball squared off against the first-seeded and fourth-ranked Marian Knights in the 2026 NAIA Championship Semifinals at the Tyson Events Center.
The contest began with both teams vying for possession through tough defense. Marian would get on the board first, following a few missed baskets on offensive sets from Dakota Wesleyan, before the North Sioux City native Rylee Rosenquist would kick off the scoring effort with a made free throw, along with a tough basket on the glass from Avery Broughton. The tandem would lead the way on offense, with both players going on to contribute 10 points each. The early momentum from the Knights resulted in a 10-3 score before the first media timeout of the game would take place, but a drawn-up play for Jaida Young resulted in an and-one bucket that gave the Tigers momentum. By the end of the first, however, the Knights would stay in control with a 15-6 lead as an early 2-12 (16.7%) clip from the field would see DWU struggle to find consistent scoring.
The start of the second would see Emma Yost open the period with a basket to begin her night, as the three-time First Team All-GPAC forward would go on to record eight points. Even with the added firepower, the Knights and Tigers still scrapped for a majority of possessions with points at a premium. The pace from Dakota Wesleyan would pick back up with under three minutes before the half with a pair of free throws and a tough and-one from Shalayne Nagel, who went on to record seven points and lead the Tigers with 10 rebounds. Ultimately, the Knights would still have a more efficient half, but defense was still the standout unit for both sides, as MU took a 28-17 lead at the break.
To open the second half of play, both offenses would have a bit more success finding baskets, with tough shots from Yost and Broughton pushing the Tigers over the 20-point line, but Marian capitalized on turnovers to keep its lead through the period. Avery Orth off the bench was able to get a tough bucket at the boards to get on the scoreboard halfway through the third, while Maleighya Estes and Taliyah Hayes combined for 12 points off the bench. The Tigers would keep pace with the Knights through the rest of the third period, and a final set of free throws from Young, who went on to score five points, brought the game into single digits at 42-34 heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
With foul trouble looming down the stretch, the Tigers would continue to see Orth work towards the basket on both ends, helping match Marian's presence in the paint and giving DWU extra scoring opportunities. Rosenquist would hit a big three to cut the MU lead to just five points at a 42-37 scoreline with seven and a half minutes remaining. Dakota Wesleyan would come within a score of Marian for the first time in the contest with a pair of free throws from Rosenquist, but the Knights were quick to respond at the period's halfway mark with an and-one to set the score to 48-39. The Tigers continued to battle, including a final scoring run down the stretch, but a final stand from Marian gave them the advantage until time expired with a final score of 62-54 in favor of the Knights. Dakota Wesleyan Women's Basketball ends the season as 2026 NAIA Championship Semifinalists and GPAC Champions with a 29-7 record, sitting fourth in program history.
DWU Women's Basketball will be back in action for the 2026-27 campaign. Get updates on end-of-year accolades, updates, and more on the program here.