The Ottawa University women's basketball team returns to Wilson Field House for its 2026-27 home opener against Missouri Baptist University. The Braves enter the matchup with a 4-1 overall record and a three-game winning streak. Ottawa and Missouri Baptist have met four times in program history, with the all-time series tied 2-2. The Braves will look to take the lead in the series while continuing their strong start to the season.
The Braves opened the season with an 81-70 road victory over Graceland University on Oct. 24. After falling to No. 15 Benedictine College, 76-65, on Oct. 30, Ottawa responded with an 84-72 victory over Baker University on Oct. 31. Ottawa defeated Peru State College 77-46 on Nov. 6 and Bellevue University 68-41 on Nov. 7. The Braves are averaging 75 points per game while allowing 61 points per contest. Ottawa is shooting 44.6 percent from the floor, 27.4 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 73.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Braves average 41 rebounds, 12.6 assists, seven steals, and 4.2 blocks per game. Ottawa ranks 23rd in the NAIA in blocked shots per game (4.2) and 32nd in field goal percentage (.446). The Braves have held opponents to 34.4 percent shooting from the floor, ranking 44th in the NAIA. Ottawa has a +5.8 rebounding margin and averages just 14 turnovers per game.
McKinley Kruger leads Ottawa in scoring, averaging 18.6 points per game. She is also averaging 6.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest. Kruger has made 32 of her 35 free-throw attempts, shooting 91.4 percent from the line.
Dominique Schutte is averaging 12.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. She leads the Braves with 12 made 3-pointers.
Miranda Patterson is averaging 12.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Patterson is shooting a team-leading 55.8 percent from the floor among Ottawa's regular perimeter contributors.
Ashlynn Arnsman is averaging 9.7 points, nine rebounds, and 3.7 assists in three games. She is shooting 65 percent from the floor.
Clare Williams is averaging 8.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and a team-leading 1.8 steals per game.
Sydney Kessler leads the Braves with nine blocked shots, averaging 1.8 per game.
Missouri Baptist enters the matchup with a 2-1 overall record and a two-game winning streak. The Spartans opened their season with a 94-82 loss at Olivet Nazarene University on Oct. 23. Missouri Baptist picked up its first win with a 66-33 victory over Crowley's Ridge College on Nov. 3. The Spartans defeated Harris-Stowe State University 67-56 on Nov. 6. Missouri Baptist averages 71.7 points per game while allowing 61 points per contest. The Spartans are shooting 43 percent from the floor, 24 percent from the 3-point line, and 82.2 percent from the free-throw line. Missouri Baptist ranks fourth in the NAIA in free-throw percentage. The Spartans average 41.7 rebounds per game and have a +9.3 rebounding margin. Missouri Baptist averages 17.7 offensive rebounds per contest, ranking 27th in the NAIA. The Spartans are averaging 15 assists, 9.3 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game. Missouri Baptist is averaging 24 turnovers per contest.
Kamryn Winch leads Missouri Baptist with 15.3 points and nine rebounds per game. She is shooting 81 percent from the floor. Sydney Reddin is averaging 13 points, three assists, and 2.7 steals per game. Jenna Plymale is averaging 9.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest. Eva Parks is averaging 7.7 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the floor. Madelyn Eads is averaging 7.3 points per contest and has made four of her five 3-point attempts.
Ottawa vs. Missouri Baptist Series History | All-Time Series: Tied 2-2: Ottawa and Missouri Baptist have met four times, with each team winning twice. The Braves won the first meeting, 68-67, on Nov. 14, 1987, at a neutral site. Missouri Baptist evened the series with a 56-49 victory on Nov. 23, 2013. Ottawa regained the series lead with a 70-61 road victory on Dec. 12, 2023. The Spartans won the most recent meeting, 67-59, on Dec. 30, 2025. This will be the first meeting between the two programs in Ottawa, Kansas.
Home Opener History: Ottawa is 26-25 in home openers from 1975-76 through 2025-26. The Braves have won five consecutive home openers entering the 2026-27 season. Ottawa defeated Kansas Christian College 97-49 in its 2025-26 home opener on Oct. 31, 2025. The Braves will look for their sixth consecutive home-opening victory when they host Missouri Baptist University.
