The Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) women’s basketball team is making a strong push in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) as they approach the midpoint of the regular season. After completing 12 games, the Tigers hold an impressive record of 14-4 overall and 10-2 in GPAC play, currently tied for second place in the standings with Concordia, who boasts a record of 15-3 and 10-2 in the conference.
As January comes to a close, DWU is on a remarkable eight-game winning streak, including six victories against conference opponents. This performance is crucial as the team prepares for a significant matchup against Concordia on January 21, 2024, at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. The Tigers previously faced the Bulldogs on December 6, 2023, where they secured a narrow 59-56 victory in Seward, Nebraska.
The only team currently ahead of DWU and Concordia is Dordt, who are the two-time defending national champions. Dordt holds a record of 17-1 and is 11-1 in GPAC play, maintaining their position as the number one ranked team in the country. However, they faced a surprising setback with a 73-68 overtime loss to Doane on December 6, marking only their fourth conference defeat since the start of the 2023-24 season. Dordt narrowly edged DWU in their last meeting, winning 86-81 on December 10 in Sioux Center, Iowa.
The race for postseason positioning is heating up as teams vie for advantageous standings in the GPAC tournament. Briar Cliff, currently ranked 16th in the nation with a record of 14-4 and 8-4 in the conference, and Hastings, with a record of 12-6 and 8-4, are also in contention for fourth place. The top eight teams will qualify for the quarterfinals, making every game critical as the season progresses.
Mount Marty sits in sixth place with a record of 11-7 and 6-6 in GPAC play, while a three-way tie for seventh includes Morningside, Northwestern, and Doane, all with records of 5-7. Notably, Doane’s place in the tournament remains uncertain despite their notable win over Dordt.
In the bottom half of the standings, College of Saint Mary holds a record of 3-15 and 2-10 in GPAC, one game ahead of both Midland and Waldorf, both sitting at 2-16 overall and 1-11 in conference play.
For the Dakota Wesleyan men’s team, the competition is equally fierce. As of January 16, 2024, the Tigers are part of a four-way tie for sixth place in the conference with a record of 10-9 and 5-6 in GPAC. They share this position with Doane, Dordt, and Midland, all also at 5-6 in the conference. This tight cluster is just one game above Hastings, who sits at 5-14 and 4-7 in GPAC.
As the season approaches its final stretch, every game will be critical for both the women’s and men’s teams at Dakota Wesleyan University. The Tigers’ upcoming match against Concordia will be pivotal, potentially positioning them closer to the top of the standings. The competition remains intense as teams strive for the best possible seeding in the upcoming GPAC tournament, with only a few games left to determine the fates of all involved.
