The Ottawa University women's basketball team enters the 2026-27 season looking to build on last year's winning record and make a push up the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) standings. The Braves return three players who earned KCAC postseason recognition, including All-KCAC performers Dominique Schutte and McKinley Kruger and KCAC All-Freshman Team selection Clare Williams.

Ottawa was picked to finish eighth in the 2026-27 KCAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll.The Braves finished the 2025-26 season with an overall record of 15-13 and a 10-12 mark in KCAC play. Ottawa posted a 9-5 record at home and went 6-8 on the road.

OU averaged 74.5 points per game last season, ranking 42nd in the NAIA, while shooting 40.3 percent from the floor, 32.9 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 72.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Braves were one of the NAIA's better 3-point shooting teams, averaging 9.1 made 3-pointers per game to rank 15th nationally. Ottawa also ranked 19th in the NAIA in 3-point attempts per game (27.8).

Ottawa averaged 38.3 rebounds, 15.4 assists, and 9.4 steals per game. The Braves forced opponents into 17.1 turnovers per contest while committing just 13.5 turnovers per game.

Returning All-KCAC Performers: Dominique Schutte returns after leading Ottawa in scoring during the 2025-26 season. Schutte appeared in all 28 games, making 14 starts, and averaged a team-best 12.8 points per game. She finished with 359 points, 80 made 3-pointers, and shot 35.6 percent from beyond the arc. Schutte was especially effective at the free-throw line, connecting on 43-of-45 attempts for an impressive 95.6 percent. She also averaged 2.2 rebounds per game and finished with 32 assists, 14 steals, and nine blocked shots. In KCAC competition, Schutte increased her scoring average to 13.9 points per game while shooting 38.8 percent from behind the 3-point line and 97.3 percent from the free-throw line.

McKinley Kruger also returns after earning All-KCAC honors last season. Kruger started all 28 games for the Braves and averaged 12.5 points and a team-leading 5.2 rebounds per contest among Ottawa's returning all-conference performers. Kruger scored 349 points, pulled down 145 rebounds, dished out a team-high 66 assists, and collected a team-high 44 steals. She shot 39 percent from the floor and 84.4 percent from the free-throw line. During conference play, Kruger averaged 13.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. She also recorded 48 assists and 33 steals in 22 KCAC contests.

Clare Williams returns for her sophomore season after being selected to the KCAC All-Freshman Team in 2025-26. Williams appeared in all 28 games, making 26 starts, and averaged 7.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per contest. Williams shot an efficient 47.8 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from behind the 3-point line. She finished her freshman campaign with 212 points, 81 rebounds, 49 assists, 30 steals, and nine blocked shots. In KCAC play, Williams started all 22 games and averaged seven points per contest while shooting 46.4 percent from the floor and 37.2 percent from beyond the arc. The return of Schutte, Kruger, and Williams gives Ottawa an experienced foundation heading into the new season. The trio combined for 920 points, 288 rebounds, 147 assists, and 88 steals last season.

Looking Back at 2025-26: The Braves demonstrated their offensive potential throughout the 2025-26 campaign, scoring at least 80 points in several conference contests. Ottawa scored a season-high 95 points against McPherson College on Nov. 22, 2025, and followed with 87 points against Southwestern College on Dec. 3. The Braves also scored 87 points in an 87-66 road victory over McPherson on Jan. 31, 2026. In that contest, Ottawa collected a season-high 22 steals. Against Avila University on Feb. 4, the Braves connected on a season-best 16 3-pointers and finished with 21 assists in an 81-74 victory. Ottawa's 3-point shooting was a major part of its offensive success. The Braves made 256 3-pointers during the season and averaged more than nine per game. Defensively, OU held opponents to 69.2 points per contest and finished with a positive rebounding margin of 2.9 rebounds per game.

Braves Open Against Graceland University: Ottawa will open its 2026-27 season against Graceland University, an opponent the Braves have enjoyed success against throughout the history of the series. The Braves lead the all-time series against the Yellowjackets 9-3 and have won nine consecutive meetings dating back to Feb. 2, 1979. Graceland won the first two meetings between the programs, defeating Ottawa 55-35 in 1977 and 80-48 on Jan. 21, 1978. After Ottawa earned a 64-61 victory on Feb. 2, 1979, Graceland won the next meeting, 80-37, on Jan. 30, 1981. Since that contest, Ottawa has won eight straight games against the Yellowjackets. The most recent meeting occurred on Nov. 12, 2025, when the Braves defeated Graceland 85-63 in Ottawa. The Braves have scored at least 70 points in seven of their last eight victories over the Yellowjackets.

Graceland University enters the 2026-27 women's basketball season looking to improve on last year's 5-23 overall record and 4-16 mark in Heart of America Athletic Conference play. The Yellowjackets were picked to finish 14th in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.

The Yellowjackets averaged 61.6 points per game last season while shooting 37.5 percent from the field, 27 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 62.5 percent from the free-throw line. Graceland averaged 36.4 rebounds, 10.6 assists, and 7.3 steals per contest while allowing opponents to score 74.4 points per game.

Graceland was led offensively last season by Ianara Morbidoni, who averaged 10.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Maxine Ampofo averaged 10.8 points and a team-high 7.9 rebounds per contest, while Oliviya Tinoco contributed 9.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

2025-26 Graceland Team Notes
Overall Record: 5-23
Heart Record: 4-16
Points Per Game: 61.6
Points Allowed Per Game: 74.4
Field Goal Percentage: 37.5%
3-Point Percentage: 27.0%
Rebounds Per Game: 36.4
Assists Per Game: 10.6
Steals Per Game: 7.3