Tiger men uphold York College in Mike Miller Classic

MITCHELL, S.D. – In their first home game in over two weeks, the No. 12 Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team took care of business, topping No. 15 York College 92-90 in the night cap on the first day of the Mike Miller Classic in the Corn Palace.

 York defeated DWU last season in the second round of the NAIA National Tournament, 78-77 in the final seconds. However, DWU was looking for revenge at home in front of a packed Corn Palace. The Tigers (14-3, 6-1 GPAC) began the game hot as they jumped out to a 16-8 lead early thanks to great 3-point shooting. The Panthers (10-5, 6-2) climbed their way back into the game as they took the 28-26 lead with five minutes remaining in the half. DWU returned the favor, finishing the half on a 13-2 run to take the lead into the break, 39-30.

 In the second half, the Tigers would extend their lead to as much as 15 after a Trae Vandeberg (Madison, S.D.) 3-pointer with 12:33 remaining. The Panthers hung around and slowly chipped away at the DWU lead until they pulled within two points with 1:20 left, 86-84. That was as close as York would get as senior Tate Martin (Mitchell, S.D.) made five free-throws down the stretch to clinch the Tiger victory.

 Martin led the Tigers with 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists to go along with 11-of-12 shooting from the free-throw line. He also etched his name in the DWU record books, becoming a 1,000-point scorer in the win. Jason Spicer (Sioux Falls, S.D.) tallied 21 points and four rebounds. Vandeberg finished with the only double-double of the night with 18 points and 14 rebounds. The Tigers shot 46 percent from the field, 32 percent from beyond the arc and 69 percent from the free-throw line.

 DWU finishes the Mike Miller Classic as they take on Southeastern University (Fla.) at 8:30 p.m. today at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.