Courtesy: Bethel Sports Information
SIOUX CITY, Iowa - For the second year in a row, the No. 3 ranked and No.1 seeded Bethel Lady Wildcats had hoped to go the Fab Four in the NAIA Women's Basketball Championship.
Leading 69-61 with seven minutes left it appeared the Cats were on the way to do just that. A 21-8 run by No. 2 seed and No. 9 ranked Dakota Wesleyan, however, broke the hearts of the Lady Wildcats in the quarterfinal round of the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship, as the Wildcats fell to the Tigers 82-77, at the Tyson Events Center.
Bethel finishes the year with an outstanding 28-6 record, advancing to the round of eight in Sioux City and cementing one of the more successful seasons in program history.
In a matchup between two of the NAIA's top programs, the Wildcats competed with toughness and composure from start to finish. Dakota Wesleyan took a 21-16 lead after the opening quarter, but Bethel responded with a strong second period. Behind the scoring of Mikee Buchanan, the Wildcats outscored the Tigers 26-17 to take a 42-38 lead into halftime. Buchanan hit six three pointers and had 19 of her 21 points in the first half.
The third quarter remained tightly contested, with both teams trading baskets in a high-level battle. Dakota Wesleyan edged the frame 21-20, trimming Bethel's lead to three entering the final 10 minutes.
A key turning point came early in the fourth quarter when Madison Hart fouled out with just over seven minutes remaining, forcing the Wildcats to adjust during a critical stretch. Despite the setback, Bethel continued to battle until the very end.
Offensively, the Wildcats were led by Micah Hart, who delivered an outstanding performance with 35 points on 13-of-29 shooting, adding seven free throws in her final game of the season. Hart had 24 of her 35 points in the second half.
MJ Simmons also made a strong impact, scoring 11 points and going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line, while contributing in key moments down the stretch. Bethel's backcourt leadership and scoring presence helped fuel the Wildcats throughout the night.
Dakota Wesleyan ultimately capitalized on late opportunities, converting at the free throw line and finishing the game shooting 57.4 percent from the field. The Tigers were led by Rylee Rosenquist's 40-point performance, with Avery Broughton adding 21 points.
As a team, Bethel shot 38.8 percent (26-of-67) from the field and connected on nine three-pointers, while converting 16-of-20 from the free throw line.
Saturday's contest marked the final collegiate game for Bethel's senior Madison Hart. Her leadership, consistency, and competitive spirit helped guide the Wildcats to 28 wins and a deep postseason run, leaving a lasting legacy within Bethel women's basketball. Hart finished 3rd on the all-time Lady Wildcat scoring list and fifth in career rebounds.
While the loss brings disappointment, it does not diminish what this team accomplished. The Wildcats competed among the nation's best and proved themselves on the biggest stage in Sioux City.
Coach Chris Nelson shared his thoughts about his team and the season. "It always hurt when you season comes to a close, especially when we had that one in our grasp. Our ladies battled so hard just like they did all year long. We battled some foul trouble during the game and that limited some actions we wanted to go to late. We had a few late turnovers that led to some easy baskets for DWU. They made some big plays late as well. It was a great game between two great teams and a great atmosphere added to a classic of a game. Sioux City is always good to us and we will be back."
Nelson added, "We have never chased a trophy or even a title, our goal every year is to play as long as possible and to become a true team. This team is what makes coaching and sports fun. They took a lot of people on a ride including myself and our staff and I could not be more thankful for them. We want to thank our families and community for all their support and in making this a great year."