Tiger men complete season sweep of DSU

MADISON, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team completed its season sweep of Dakota State University Monday night with an 80-72 win in Madison, S.D. The Tigers also defeated Dakota State, which was ranked No. 18 in the NAIA at the time, 85-76 at the Corn Palace.

Monday's win also pushed DWU's current winning streak to four games and put the Tigers at 9-7 overall this season.

Dakota State (7-8) took an early lead Monday night, but Kris Menning hit a three with 16:06 left in the first half to give the Tigers an 8-6 lead, and they never trailed again. The Trojans tied the game at eight, but Trae Bergh hit back-to-back threes to push DWU's lead to eight and spark a 13-2 run that put DWU up 23-10 with just under 11 minutes left in the half.

Dakota State went on a 13-0 run to tie the game at 23, but Jalen Voss scored on two straight possessions and Bergh hit another three to help push the Tigers' lead back to nine, 32-23, with 38 seconds left in the half. The Tigers led 32-25 at halftime, and Tate Martin hit a three to start the second half and make it a 10-point lead for DWU. A three by Menning and jumper by Voss gave DWU its biggest lead of the game, 48-31, with 15:27 left to play, and the Tigers were able to maintain their lead for the remainder of the game.

Bergh finished with 24 points to pace DWU, which shot 36.6 percent from the field. He hit five threes and went 7-for-10 from the line. Voss added 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Menning hit five 3-pointers to finish with 14 points. Martin had 11 points and 10 assists for the Tigers, who hit 13 threes, went 15-for-20 from the line and had 44 rebounds and 13 turnovers.

Dylan Hale had a game-high 27 points for the Trojans, who shot 47.5 percent from the field. Miguel Sansavour added 16 points and Yusuf Vinson added 13 points and 12 rebounds. The Trojans hit five 3-pointers, went 9-for-14 from the line and had 36 rebounds and 18 turnovers.

Dakota Wesleyan is back at home and returns to Great Plains Athletic Conference play Saturday, Jan. 4, when it hosts Hastings College at 3 p.m. Saturday's game is alumni night and all DWU alum are invited.