No. 25 Tigers dispatch No. 14 Dakota State

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – In the first annual South Dakota NAIA Pentagon Classic, the No. 25 Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team had no problem handling in-state foe No. 14 Dakota State University. The Tigers went on to defeat the Trojans 88-72 Saturday in Sioux Falls, S.D.

 The Trojans held strong for much of the first-half, but a 25-point performance from junior Jason Spicer (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and double-digit scoring from four Tiger starters proved to be the difference for DWU.

 Heading into the second half, Trae Vandeberg (Madison, S.D.) hit a 3-pointer, pushing the Tigers lead to 11 points. Two minutes later, Vandeberg drained another shot from beyond arc, adding to his 21-point total and 4-of-7 shooting from the three-point line.

 Later in the game, Spicer was able to penetrate the Trojans from under the net, helping the Tigers shoot 58 percent from the field. Freshman Ty Hoglund (Dell Rapids, S.D.) added 15 points, while Tate Martin (Mitchell, S.D.) and Aaron Ahmadu (Houston, Texas) pitched in 11 points. Martin also had eight assists in the victory.

 The Tigers (2-0) take on Presentation College in Day Two of the SD NAIA Pentagon Classic at 3 p.m. in Sioux Falls.