Trae Vandeberg

The Dakota Wesleyan University Tiger Athlete of the Week is junior guard Trae Vandeberg, it was announced by the DWU athletic department Wednesday.

Vandeberg and the Tigers started the week off in the Mike Miller Classic at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D. DWU beat York College 92-90 in a back-and-forth game where the lead changed seven times. The Tigers jumped out to a quick 16-8 lead in the opening minutes of the game, and took the 39-30 lead going into halftime thanks to 11 first half points by Vandeberg. He would lead the Tigers to victory as he finished with 18 points and shot 4-of-9 from 3-point range. The hot shooting would continue for Vandeberg and the Tigers the next night as they beat Southeastern University, 106-97. Vandeberg gave the Tigers the lead in the first half after draining his second 3-pointer and securing the halftime lead, 50-45. The 6-foot-3 junior scored his 1,000^th career point against SEU. He went on to finish with his sixth double-double of the season with 24 points and 10 rebounds. The final game of the week came against in-state rival, Dakota State University, as the Tigers fell 76-67. Vandeberg finished just shy of another double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds. The Madison, S.D. native ranks sixth in the NAIA Division II in total 3-point field goals made (56). He also comes in at 12^th in the nation in total scoring (351) and total rebounds (155).

The Tigers get back to conference action as they play Northwestern College at 4 p.m. Saturday in Orange City, Iowa.