Haskell women fall in NAIAs
Haskell Indian Nations University basketball player Tyler Sumpter (30) brings the ball up court during Wednesday's NAIA tournament game against Dakota Wesleyan at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
Sioux City, Iowa ? Haskell Indian Nations University’s women’s basketball season ended with a 75-64 loss to Dakota Wesleyan in the first round of the NAIA Div. II National Championships on Wednesday at the Tyson Events Center.
Tyler Sumpter led Haskell (23-7) with 19 points. Keli Warrior added 18 and Cerissa Honena-Reyes 10.
Sumpter had a team-high eight rebounds, but the Fightin’ Indians were outrebounded, 36-31.
Haskell Indian Nations University basketball player Keli Warrior (15) shoots free throws during Wednesday's NAIA tournament game against Dakota Wesleyan at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
Haskell shot just 35.7 percent from the field in the first half, while Dakota Wesleyan (26-8) hit 51.6 percent in taking a 44-30 lead at the break. Dakota led by as many as 17 in the third quarter.
HINU forged a 58-all tie on a three-pointer from Sumpter with just over seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, but the Tigers pulled away.
Erica Herrold led DWU with 27 points.
Haskell 19 11 22 12 — 64
Dakota Wesleyan 24 20 14 17 — 75
Haskell (23-7) — Tyler Sumpter 19, Keli Warrior 18, Cerissa Honena-Reyes 10, Kortney Meat 9, Arnetia Begay 4, Cheyenne Livingston 2, Ember Sloan 2.
Dakota Wesleyan (26-8) — Erica Herrold 27, Ashley Bray 13, Amber Bray 13, Kristin Sabers 10, Kelsey Bertram 8, Rylie Osthus 4.
Haskell women craft feel-good tale (March 6, 2016)
Fans of Haskell Indian Nations University haven’t had much to cheer lately.
Haskell lost its conference affiliation when the nine-member Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference dissolved last April.
The university announced it was cutting its long-struggling football program in May due to budget concerns.
Then along came Haskell’s women’s basketball team.
The Fightin’ Indians finally overtook a longtime foe and overcame the nine-game injury loss of key junior forward Keli Warrior to earn a trip to the NAIA Div. II National Championships.