The women’s basketball team at Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) is making a strong push in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) as they head into the second half of the regular season. With 12 games completed and 10 remaining, the Tigers have secured eight consecutive victories, including six against conference rivals, positioning themselves firmly in the title race.
Currently, DWU holds a record of 14-4 overall and 10-2 within the GPAC, tying with Concordia, which stands at 15-3 and 10-2 in the conference. The two teams are set to clash at 2 p.m. on January 21, 2024, at the Corn Palace, a match that could significantly impact their standings. Earlier this season, DWU edged out Concordia with a narrow 59-56 victory in their first matchup on December 6, 2023.
Competition Intensifies as Teams Vye for Top Spots
At the top of the GPAC standings is Dordt, the two-time defending national champion, boasting a record of 17-1 and 11-1 in conference play. Despite their dominance, Dordt suffered a surprising 73-68 overtime loss to Doane on December 6, marking just their fourth conference loss since the start of the 2023-24 season. Earlier this season, DWU fell to Dordt with a score of 86-81 on December 10 in Sioux Center, Iowa. The Defenders are scheduled to return to the Corn Palace for DWU’s regular-season home finale on February 18, 2024.
As the competition heats up, Briar Cliff (14-4, 8-4 GPAC) and Hastings (12-6, 8-4 GPAC) are engaged in a battle for fourth place, crucial for securing a first-round home game in the GPAC postseason tournament. Meanwhile, Mount Marty (11-7, 6-6 GPAC) currently occupies sixth place, just ahead of a tight three-way tie for seventh involving Morningside (10-8, 5-7 GPAC), Northwestern (9-9, 5-7 GPAC), and Doane (7-9, 5-7 GPAC).
With only the top eight teams qualifying for the quarterfinals, the race is tight, and every game counts. Doane, despite having the most significant win in the league this season against Dordt, finds their postseason standing precarious, illustrating the competitive nature of the GPAC.
Men’s Team Faces Competitive Landscape
The DWU men’s basketball team is also in the mix, although they have more ground to cover. As of January 16, 2024, the Tigers (10-9, 5-6 GPAC) were part of a four-way tie for sixth place in the 11-team conference. They are level with Doane (10-8, 5-6 GPAC), Dordt (10-9, 5-6 GPAC), and Midland (9-10, 5-6 GPAC). This logjam is just one game ahead of Hastings (5-14, 4-7 GPAC) and one game behind a three-way tie for third that includes Northwestern (14-5, 6-5 GPAC), Briar Cliff (9-9, 6-5 GPAC), and Mount Marty (7-9, 6-5 GPAC).
Despite a challenging five-game skid earlier this season, the DWU men’s team has bounced back, winning five of their last six games. A victory against Concordia could tighten their position in the standings, potentially placing them just one game off the pace for the second spot in the conference.
As the GPAC season progresses, teams are closely monitoring their standings, with only a few games left to determine their postseason fates. The competition remains fierce, and every matchup could have significant implications for the teams involved.
