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Box Score 4 FARMERS BRANCH, Texas — The Dallas Christian College women's basketball team has opened its 2026–27 campaign with a 1–3 record through its first four contests, facing a challenging schedule that has tested the Crusaders on both ends of the floor.
Dallas Christian began its season with a narrow four-point defeat against Oklahoma Panhandle State before responding with a convincing 79–65 victory over Ecclesia College. The Crusaders then traveled to Florida for a pair of contests against Trinity College of Jacksonville and Pensacola Christian College.
Through four games, Dallas Christian is averaging 69.8 points per contest while recording 14.5 steals per game. The Crusaders have shown offensive potential, scoring 79 or more points twice, while continuing to work toward greater consistency and execution.
Early Season Results
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Date
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Opponent
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Result
|
|
Oct. 22
|
at Oklahoma Panhandle State
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L, 48–52
|
|
Oct. 24
|
vs. Ecclesia College
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W, 79–65
|
|
Nov. 5
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vs. Trinity College of Jacksonville
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L, 83–90
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Nov. 7
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at Pensacola Christian
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L, 69–91
|
Results verified against the official DCC statistics and NCCAA records. Dallas Christian College +1
Individual Game Recaps
Game 1: Crusaders Battle Oklahoma Panhandle State in Season Opener
October 22, 2026 | Goodwell, Oklahoma
Final: Oklahoma Panhandle State 52, Dallas Christian 48
Dallas Christian College opened its 2026–27 season on the road against Oklahoma Panhandle State University, falling just short in a defensive battle, 52–48.
The Crusaders demonstrated their ability to compete defensively, holding Oklahoma Panhandle State to just 30 percent shooting from the field and 22.7 percent from beyond the arc.
Dallas Christian controlled the glass throughout the contest, outrebounding its opponent 47–38, including 16 offensive rebounds that provided additional scoring opportunities.
Offensively, the Crusaders struggled to establish consistency, shooting 31.5 percent from the floor and connecting on five of 19 three-point attempts.
Turnovers ultimately proved costly, as Dallas Christian committed 29 giveaways while recording just eight assists.
Despite the narrow defeat, the Crusaders showed encouraging signs defensively and on the boards, providing a foundation to build upon as the season progressed.
Team Box Score Highlights
|
Statistic
|
DCC
|
OPSU
|
|
Points
|
48
|
52
|
|
Field Goal %
|
31.5%
|
30.0%
|
|
Three-Point %
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26.3%
|
22.7%
|
|
Rebounds
|
47
|
38
|
|
Assists
|
8
|
12
|
|
Steals
|
9
|
23
|
|
Turnovers
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29
|
20
|
Game 2: Dallas Christian Earns First Victory Over Ecclesia College
October 24, 2026 | Farmers Branch, Texas
Final: Dallas Christian 79, Ecclesia College 65
The Crusaders responded to their season-opening defeat with an impressive offensive performance, defeating Ecclesia College 79–65 to secure their first victory of the 2026–27 campaign.
Dallas Christian found its offensive rhythm early, shooting 40.7 percent from the field and connecting on eight three-pointers.
The Crusaders were particularly effective at getting to the free-throw line, converting 23 of 35 attempts while outscoring Ecclesia by nine points at the charity stripe.
Ball movement also played an important role in the victory, as Dallas Christian recorded a season-high 17 assists.
Defensively, the Crusaders applied pressure throughout the contest, forcing Ecclesia into 45 turnovers and recording 16 steals.
Dallas Christian also held a 33–28 rebounding advantage, helping the Crusaders control additional possessions.
The 14-point victory showcased the team's offensive potential and defensive intensity while providing an important early-season confidence boost.
Team Box Score Highlights
|
Statistic
|
DCC
|
Ecclesia
|
|
Points
|
79
|
65
|
|
Field Goal %
|
40.7%
|
41.5%
|
|
Three-Pointers Made
|
8
|
7
|
|
Free Throws Made
|
23
|
14
|
|
Rebounds
|
33
|
28
|
|
Assists
|
17
|
9
|
|
Steals
|
16
|
16
|
|
Turnovers
|
37
|
45
|
Game 3: Crusaders' Offensive Effort Falls Short Against Trinity College of Jacksonville
November 5, 2026 | Florida
Final: Trinity College of Jacksonville 90, Dallas Christian 83
Dallas Christian opened its Florida road trip with a high-scoring matchup against Trinity College of Jacksonville, falling 90–83 despite producing its highest offensive output of the season.
The Crusaders scored 83 points while shooting 36.4 percent from the field and knocking down six three-pointers.
Dallas Christian was aggressive offensively, attempting a season-high 77 field goals and converting 21 free throws.
The Crusaders also demonstrated their defensive activity, forcing 27 turnovers and recording a season-high 17 steals.
However, Trinity College proved difficult to contain offensively, shooting 45.9 percent from the floor and converting 30 free throws.
Foul trouble was another challenge for Dallas Christian, as the Crusaders committed 34 personal fouls, allowing Trinity College to attempt 46 free throws.
Despite the defeat, Dallas Christian continued to show offensive improvement and an ability to create opportunities through defensive pressure.
Team Box Score Highlights
|
Statistic
|
DCC
|
Trinity
|
|
Points
|
83
|
90
|
|
Field Goal %
|
36.4%
|
45.9%
|
|
Three-Pointers Made
|
6
|
4
|
|
Free Throws Made
|
21
|
30
|
|
Rebounds
|
45
|
49
|
|
Assists
|
13
|
16
|
|
Steals
|
17
|
13
|
|
Turnovers
|
23
|
27
|
Game 4: Dallas Christian Concludes Florida Road Trip at Pensacola Christian
November 7, 2026 | Pensacola, Florida
Final: Pensacola Christian 91, Dallas Christian 69
The Crusaders concluded their two-game Florida road trip with a 91–69 defeat against Pensacola Christian College.
Dallas Christian continued to demonstrate its ability to generate perimeter offense, connecting on a season-high 10 three-pointers while shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc.
The Crusaders shot 38.5 percent overall and recorded 15 assists, showing moments of effective ball movement.
Defensively, Dallas Christian remained active, forcing 24 turnovers and recording 16 steals.
However, Pensacola Christian delivered an efficient offensive performance, shooting 45.2 percent from the floor and an impressive 54.5 percent from three-point range.
The Crusaders also faced challenges on the glass, as Pensacola Christian held a 49–35 rebounding advantage.
Free-throw shooting proved another area of difficulty, with Dallas Christian converting just nine of 22 attempts.
The defeat moved the Crusaders to 1–3 through their opening four contests.
Team Box Score Highlights
|
Statistic
|
DCC
|
Pensacola
|
|
Points
|
69
|
91
|
|
Field Goal %
|
38.5%
|
45.2%
|
|
Three-Pointers Made
|
10
|
12
|
|
Three-Point %
|
38.5%
|
54.5%
|
|
Rebounds
|
35
|
49
|
|
Assists
|
15
|
22
|
|
Steals
|
16
|
18
|
|
Turnovers
|
27
|
24
|
Early Season Statistical Breakdown
Overall Record
1–3
Through four games
Points Per Game
69.8
279 total points
Rebounds Per Game
40.0
160 total rebounds
Steals Per Game
14.5
58 total steals
Official statistics: DCC Women's Basketball Statistics?
Early Season Standout Performers
Several Crusaders have made important contributions through the opening four games.
Laila Allen — Leading Scorer
17.5 PPG
Allen leads the Crusaders with 70 total points, including 12 made three-pointers. She is shooting 36.4 percent from beyond the arc and has established herself as a primary offensive option.
Brooke Thomas — All-Around Contributor
11.0 PPG · 6.8 RPG
Thomas leads the team in rebounding while contributing 13 assists and nine steals through four games.
Denaja Gaston — Efficient Scoring
8.8 PPG · 50.0% FG
Gaston has provided an efficient offensive presence, connecting on 15 of 30 field-goal attempts while adding eight steals.
Mackenzie Carter — Offensive Contributor
8.5 PPG · 87.5% FT
Carter has contributed 34 points through four contests and has been one of the Crusaders' most reliable free-throw shooters.
Alyssa Manuel — Perimeter Threat
7.8 PPG · 46.2% 3PT
Manuel has connected on six of 13 three-point attempts while averaging 5.8 rebounds per contest.
Player averages and shooting percentages are from DCC's published four-game statistics. Dallas Christian College
Looking Ahead
Through the opening four games, Dallas Christian College has demonstrated the ability to compete defensively, generate offensive opportunities and create pressure through an aggressive style of play.
The Crusaders have averaged nearly 70 points per contest while producing 14.5 steals per game, showing their ability to disrupt opposing offenses and create additional possessions.
Offensively, Dallas Christian has several players capable of contributing, led by Laila Allen, Brooke Thomas and Denaja Gaston.
As the season progresses, the Crusaders will look to improve their shooting consistency, limit turnovers and capitalize on opportunities at the free-throw line.
With valuable experience gained against a variety of opponents, Dallas Christian will look to build on its early-season performances and continue developing its chemistry and execution as the 2026–27 campaign moves forward.
