Women's Basketball Snags a Treat in Halloween Win

OMAHA, Neb. - The Doane women's basketball team picked up its second straight win to open the season Friday afternoon, defeating Clarke University 71–58 at the CSM Classic in Omaha.

The Tigers (2-0) used a dominant second half to pull away from the Pride (1-1), turning a 27–33 halftime deficit into a 13-point victory behind efficient shooting and a commanding effort on the glass.

Doane trailed by as many as eight in the first quarter before settling in defensively and finding rhythm behind veteran leadership. The Tigers outscored Clarke 40–25 over the final two quarters, limiting the Pride to just eight points in the third frame while owning a 51–42 rebounding advantage for the game.

Senior forward Megan Chambers led the way with a double-double, pouring in 23 points and 14 rebounds while going a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line. Chambers took over after halftime, scoring 17 of her points in the second half to spark the Tigers' comeback.

Red-shirt junior guard Rylie Rice provided a perimeter punch with 20 points, connecting on 6-of-9 from three-point range. Her hot shooting in the second quarter helped Doane erase an early deficit and build momentum into the break.

Keeleigh Knobbe added 11 points and five assists, anchoring the backcourt, while Ella Johnson dominated defensively with 13 rebounds and a block. Addie Hatcliff distributed four assists and added three rebounds for a balanced all-around effort.

Doane shot 45.6% from the field and 35.0% from beyond the arc, holding Clarke to 29.5% shooting overall and just 21.4% from three. In the second half, the Tigers' depth and rebounding proved decisive, as they grabbed 19 more boards and limited Clarke to eight points in the paint.

Clarke was led by Hailey Walters with 19 points, while Zoe Kennedy added 12 before fouling out in the fourth quarter.

The win give Doane a 2-0 mark in the CSM Classic to open the 2025–26 campaign. The Tigers will look to carry their early momentum into next Saturday's matchup in the home opener against Park on November 8 at 3 p.m.

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