SIOUX CENTER, Iowa — No. 9 Dakota Wesleyan Women's Basketball traveled to Iowa to take on the top-ranked Dordt Defenders in the 2026 GPAC Women's Basketball Championship game.
Both defenses started the game out strong with multiple swapped possessions, but the Defenders would be the first to go on an initial scoring run to claim control in the first period. The Tigers were quick to fight back, however, with an initial surge of offense from Avery Broughton, who went on to contribute 19 points and seven rebounds by the end of the contest. She also found initial support from Jaida Young on open attempts towards the basket as DWU was able to claw back, putting the game within one possession at the end of the first. An early set of turnovers limited Dakota Wesleyan's ability to score, but stout defense on the other end prevented the Defenders from taking full advantage of their own possessions. Off the bench, Maleighya Estes was able to battle through the opposition in the paint, being able to contribute 16 points on five made baskets from the field, along with four additional free throws and a perfect two-for-two clip from three. The Tigers would trail 18-17 after the first period. The 10 minutes before half saw the Tigers put together an impressive offensive surge, led by Emma Yost, who ended up not just showing up, but ultimately leading the Tigers by the end of the contest with 20 total points, seven assists, and four rebounds. DWU posted a game-high of 27 points in the second period, able to ultimately claim the lead before the half, 44-40. A highly efficient clip from the field helped get the offense rolling before the break, and the second half saw the Tigers gain even more momentum.
Dordt did not find an easy path back into the contest after halftime, as the inspired DWU lineup kept up its stifling defense, outscoring the Defenders in the final two periods of the game. Rylee Rosenquist added 17 points to the scoreboard along with two rebounds, two assists, and two steals as the fourth Tiger to reach double digits, while Young and Shalayne Nagel rounded out the starting effort by combining for seven points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Dordt continued to press the attack, with the league's top scorer recording 35 total points, but on the backend, the Tigers were able to limit her possessions down the stretch while keeping the rest of the opposing lineup out of the equation. Yost continued her dominant performance with clutch threes into the fourth period, and the now-established multiple-possession lead gave the Tigers confidence entering the final minutes of the game, which showed in how they were shooting. DWU ended up going 59.3% from the field, compared to Dordt's 43.1%, along with finding 44 points in the paint compared to the 16 scored by the Defenders, which kept the Tigers in charge in the final moments of the contest. The Tigers held onto their lead and claimed the 2026 GPAC Championship by a score of 84-76. The result was Dordt's first loss at home since 2023. The conference title marks DWU Women's Basketball's ninth in program history, and head coach Jason Christensen's second in his tenure, seeing his first following the 2021-22 regular season.
DWU Women's Basketball awaits their official placement in the 2026 NAIA Women's Basketball National Tournament, with the Corn Palace already being named as a host site for the first two rounds. Get updates and more information here.