Jan 01, 2026

🏀 KWU opens 2026 season at Tabor

Posted Jan 01, 2026 8:06 PM

The Coyotes resume play following Christmas break with a Kansas Conference game against Tabor.

WOMEN'S INFO

Opponent: Tabor College Bluejays

Time: 3 p.m.

Location: Tabor College Gymnasium, HIllsboro

LIVE COVERAGE

The video stream of the game will be available online only on the KCAC Network

STREAM LINK: https://kcacnetwork.com/tabor/

Live Stats will be available at https://kwucoyotes.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary

Radio coverage will be on KINA-FM with Tyler Henry on the call. Pregame begins at 2:30 p.m. The online stream is available at https://radio.securenetsystems.net/ce/kina2.

RECORDS

Kansas Wesleyan 7-6, 4-3 KCAC

Tabor 6-7, 4-3 KCAC

THE SERIES

The teams split last season, but Tabor has won three of the last four and seven of the last nine. KWU won 62-47 in Salina last season, ending Tabor's three-game winning streak. The Bluejays won 75-68 in overtime in Hillsboro in the second game. Tabor has a 25-19 lead in the series since 2006.

KANSAS WESLEYAN AT A GLANCE

  1. The Coyotes notched a huge victory in their last game before the break. Trailing by 19 late in the third quarter they stormed back for a harrowing 86-85 double overtime win over Rochester Christian (Mich.) in the Daytona Beach (Fla.) Shootout. Freshman Raegann McDonald's two free throws with 3.7 seconds left provided the margin of victory. Odessa Ozuna led the way with 21 points, 12 rebounds and five assists; McDonald added 18 points and 13 rebounds, Izzy McCool had 13 points and Adriana DiPrima 10.
  2. Ozuna, a junior point guard, averages a team-high 12.5 points and 5.1 assists along with 6.1 rebounds. McCool averages 11.2 points and 5.7 rebounds, McDonald 8.1 points and team-high 6.7 rebounds and Paige Chauncey 7.7 points and 5.0 rebounds.
  3. The Coyotes average 70 points and allow 66. They're shooting 42 percent overall, 33 percent from 3-point range and 72 percent from the free throw line. They have a plus-5.0 rebounding advantage but are committing 18 turnovers while opponents average 15.

TABOR AT A GLANCE

  1. The Bluejays defeated Avila 58-48 in Kansas City, Mo., in their last game before the break. It was their third victory in five games following a four-game losing streak.
  2. As usual, the Bluejays are outstanding on defense with opponents averaging 56.5 points. Scoring has been a bit of an issue, though, as they average 59 points on 40 percent shooting, 28 percent from long range, and 66 percent at the foul line.
  3. Junior guard Lillie Veer leads the team in scoring (11.7) followed by senior center Tayton Smith (10.3). Smith is the leading rebounder (10.2) but has averaged a 13.0 in conference play.

UP NEXT

KWU travels to North Newton to play Bethel next Wednesday before returning home for a game against Avila on Jan. 10 inside Mabee Arena.

MEN'S INFO

LIVE COVERAGEThe video stream of the game will be available online only on the KCAC NetworkSTREAM LINK: https://kcacnetwork.com/tabor/Live Stats will be available at https://kwucoyotes.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summaryRadio coverage will be on KINA-FM with Tyler Henry on the call. Pregame begins following the women's game. The online stream is available at https://radio.securenetsystems.net/ce/kina2.RECORDSKansas Wesleyan 6-6, 4-3 KCACTabor 2-10, 0-7 KCACTHE SERIESThe Coyotes have won nine in a row and 14 of the last 16. Last season they won 94-66 in Salina, then prevailed 87-74 in Hillsboro. KWU has a 23-19 lead in the series since 2006.KANSAS WESLEYAN AT A GLANCE

  1. The Coyotes ended first semester with an impressive 85-76 victory over Saint Mary inside Mabee Arena. They shot 52 percent and outrebounded the Spires 41-25 for their third victory in four games. Six scored in double figures led by Caiden Punt with 17. Braylon Goins had 14 off the bench while Matthew Garber and Wyatt Powell each scored 12.
  2. Punt is the leading scorer (19.0) and rebounder (8.4) and ranks second in the KCAC in both categories. Brandon Avedon averages 10.6 points and Wyatt Powell 10.5. Avedon is third in assists (52) and fourth in free throw percentage (85.7) in the conference; Evens Appolon ranks third in field goal percentage (66.2), fourth in blocks (13) and is averaging 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds.
  3. The Coyotes average 76 points and allow 77. They're shooting 45 percent, 28 percent from 3-point range, 77 percent at the free throw line and have a sizable plus-7.6 rebounding advantage per game.

TABOR AT A GLANCE

  1. The Bluejays have lost their last eight games including a 101-82 loss at Avila in their final outing before the break. They lost to York 68-67 Dec. 6 in Hillsboro on a last-second 3-pointer.
  2. Senior guard Marque Wilkerson leads the team in scoring (15.3) followed by senior forward Niieihii Blackbear (12.4). Wilkerson had 20 points, five rebounds and three steals in the loss to Avila.
  3. Tabor averages 74 points but allows 85. The Bluejays are shooting 44 percent, 33 percent from 3-point distance and 64 percent at the free throw line. They have a plus-5.4 rebounding advantage but are averaging 18 turnovers per game while forcing 11.
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