Aurora University's fast-paced style suits Oswego East's Riley Doggett

Doggett thrives in AU's up-tempo offense after overcoming ACL injury in high school

Jan. 29, 2026 at 12:39pm

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Riley Doggett, a junior guard for Aurora University, has embraced the Spartans' fast-paced, high-scoring style of play after overcoming a torn ACL injury during her senior season at Oswego East. Doggett nearly doubled her 8.1-point scoring average with 15 points as AU rolled to a 94-59 win over Dominican, showcasing the team's emphasis on ball movement, pressure defense, and 3-point shooting.

Why it matters

Doggett's success at AU highlights the program's ability to attract and develop talented players from the local area, even after they've faced significant setbacks like season-ending injuries in high school. The Spartans' up-tempo style has made them one of the top-scoring teams in Division III basketball, putting them in position to make a deep postseason run.

The details

Doggett, a junior guard, came off the bench as a freshman at AU but has started every game since the beginning of her sophomore year. She praised the Spartans' ball movement, trust, and emphasis on everyone being aggressive and taking open shots. AU jumped out to a 34-point first quarter lead, making 16 of 32 3-pointers and outscoring Dominican 21-0 on fast-break points.

  • Doggett's sophomore season at Oswego East was reduced to 13 games during the pandemic.
  • Doggett's senior season at Oswego East was wiped out by a torn ACL in her left knee.

The players

Riley Doggett

A junior guard for Aurora University who nearly doubled her 8.1-point scoring average with 15 points in a win over Dominican.

Ryan Rebsom

The head coach of the Aurora University women's basketball team, known for his up-tempo, high-scoring style of play.

Krystyna Manzanarez

A sophomore guard for Aurora University and the reigning NACC and region freshman of the year, who scored a team-high 22 points in the win.

Kylie Fischbach

A senior forward for Aurora University who matched Doggett's 15 points in the win.

Jennifer Heinberg

A senior guard for Aurora University who scored 12 points in the win.

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What they’re saying

“Our ball movement is the best part of our game. The way we trust each other, the way we share it.”

— Riley Doggett, Junior guard

“We take a lot of pride in playing fast. We're top five in the nation in steals, top five in the nation in scoring out of 432 Division III teams. Our biggest focus to do that is to create more possessions, so we play a ton of full-court pressure and we recruit shooters.”

— Ryan Rebsom, Head coach

“My first year we got to the semifinals, which was the first time in like 15 years, so that was a huge step. We lost in the first round last year, but this year we're taking it all the way.”

— Riley Doggett, Junior guard

What’s next

With seven conference games remaining, Aurora University is in third place in the 14-team NACC league. The top eight teams make the conference playoffs, with the better seeds hosting throughout and the winner qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Riley Doggett's successful transition to Aurora University's fast-paced, high-scoring style of play showcases the program's ability to develop talented local players, even after they've faced significant setbacks like season-ending injuries in high school. The Spartans' emphasis on ball movement, pressure defense, and 3-point shooting has made them one of the top teams in Division III basketball.