Second Half Surge Propels DWU Men Past Mayville

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team found themselves in a close battle against Mayville State University in the first half before a strong start to the second half pushed the Tigers to a fourth straight win to start the 2014-15 season.

The Tigers (4-0) toppled the Comets 82-51 on day two of the Fulton State Bank Classic Saturday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.

Up 32-31 at the break, Coach Matt Wilber's squad came out of the locker room ready to take charge and pulled away. DWU outscored MSU 50-20 in the second and including a 16-3 run to start the final 20 minutes.

Five Tigers scored in double figures led by senior forward Jalen Voss (Worthington, Minn.) with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field. Senior guard Kris Menning (Corsica, S.D.) and senior point guard Joey Mitchell (Tulare, S.D.) each added 14 points, while junior guard Trae Bergh (Crooks, S.D.) and sophomore guard Tate Martin (Mitchell, S.D.) added 11 and 10, respectively.

DWU used the long ball to help pull ahead, making 9-of-21 from beyond the arc, while shooting 49 percent from the field in the win. The Tigers outrebounded the Comets 39-30, while forcing 13 turnovers and committed nine.

The Comets were led by forward Chuck Robinson with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Mayville falls to 1-3 on the season.

The Tigers have a rematch with Oglala Lakota College at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Kyle, S.D. The Tigers topped the Bravehearts 110-73 on Nov. 2 at the Corn Palace.