SIOUX CITY, IOWA [BOX SCORE | BRACKET] – In the 2026 NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship Semifinal, the Marian (Ind.) Knights held off the Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) Tigers, 62–54.
Marian set the tone early, jumping out to a 15–6 first-quarter lead. In the second frame, the Tigers were able to minimize the damage, holding the Knights to just 11 points. Coming out of the half, DWU trailed 28-17, but responded with its best stretch yet, scoring 17 points. Each team had a 20-point final frame, with Dakota Wesleyan able to get the game within three at 49-52, but they couldn’t complete the comeback, and Marian finished the game 62-54.
For the Knights, Abbey McNally led the charge with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks for a double-double on the night. Madisyn Bailey was right behind with 15 points and five assists. Off the bench, Olivia Faust tallied nine points on 3-for-4 from deep, providing a major lift in efficient minutes.
Avery Broughton led DWU, totaling 10 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks. Rylee Rosenquist also totaled 10 points on the night, along with seven rebounds. Shalayne Nagel contributed seven points, 10 rebounds, and three steals. Taliyah Hayes provided a spark off the bench, tallying seven points.
The Tigers won the battle of the boards, tallying 44 compared to the Knights’ 37; however, Marian outshot Dakota Wesleyan, shooting 33.9% from the floor and 35.3% from deep compared to DWU’s 32.7% from the floor and 20% from the three.
With the loss, Dakota Wesleyan is eliminated from tournament play and finishes the season 29-7.
Marian, with the win, moves onto the National Championship, marking their third appearance in program history, in which both appearances have resulted in a Red Banner. The Knights return to action Tuesday, March 24, at 7 p.m. CT, taking on Dordt (Iowa).
The only other time these teams have met in championship history was in the 2025 National Tournament Quarterfinals, where Dordt defeated Marian 82-61.
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