No. 10 Dakota Wesleyan Ousts Morningside

MITCHELL, S.D. – The No. 10 Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team out-ran the No. 23 Morningside Mustangs to a 95-80 victory in Great Plains Athletic Conference action Wednesday night at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.

 It was back-and-forth from the start as the Tigers (7-2, 3-0 GPAC) held onto the lead after the first 11 minutes of action, until Morningside (7-2, 2-1 GPAC) grabbed the lead, 23-21 at the 7:40 mark. DWU remained within striking distance for the remainder of the half, until junior Trae Vandeberg (Madison, S.D.) drained a 3-point field goal to take the 37-35 lead at the break. The Tigers shot 40 percent from the field compared to 37 percent for the Mustangs in the first half.

 DWU picked up the pace as they went on an 18-4 run in the middle of the second-half, thanks to the hot shooting of Vandeberg and freshman duo Ty Hoglund (Dell Rapids, S.D.) and Nate Davis (Watertown, S.D.). The Tigers would hold onto a double-digit lead for most of the second-half as Vandeberg, Hoglund and Davis scored 19 of the final 21 points.

 Vandeberg finished with a double-double, scoring 29 points and ripping down 12 rebounds. Hoglund was one rebound shy of a double-double with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Davis added 20 points. Junior forward Jason Spicer (Sioux Falls, S.D.) tallied 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Senior Tate Martin (Mitchell, S.D.) rounded out the starters with seven points and seven assists.

 Before the game, Martin was honored with a game ball for becoming the all-time assists leader at DWU, a record that has been held since 1977 by Lynn Frederick.

 DWU returns to the hardwood, taking on Concordia University at 4 p.m. Saturday in Seward, Neb.