No. 10 Tigers overpower Bulldogs to tally first GPAC win

MITCHELL, S.D. – With 7:25 remaining in the game, the Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team put together a 15-3 run to overcome a late deficit and defeat Great Plains Athletic Conference opponent Concordia University, 77-69 Saturday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell.

 Early on there was no room for error as the Tigers (5-3, 1-1 GPAC) and the Bulldogs (5-2, 1-1 GPAC) traded baskets during the first half.

 Trae Vandeberg (Madison, S.D.) scored 10-straight points for DWU with under 10 minutes remaining in the half to keep pace with the hot shooting from Concordia. Despite the Vandeberg run, the Tigers trailed at the half, 34-31.

 The second half began quickly as both team found their offensive rhythm. Vandeberg, Ty Hoglund (Dell Rapids, S.D.) and Aaron Ahmadu (Houston, Texas) each made consecutive 3-pointers to begin the second half and give the Tigers a 43-39 lead.

 Concordia would answer with their own flurry of offensive power by putting together a string of 3-pointers to regain the lead, 48-43.

 For the next five and a half minutes, both teams traded baskets to keep the game close. But, with 7:25 remaining and the Bulldogs leading by four points, DWU put together their biggest run of the game to put Concordia away and record their first GPAC victory of the season.

 Jason Spicer (Sioux Falls, S.D.) recorded 21 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Hoglund and Vandeberg each tallied 19 points, while Ahmadu notched eight points off the bench for the Tigers. DWU shot 47 percent from the field and scored 16 points off turnovers compared to four by Concordia.

 The Tigers hit the road as they take on GPAC opponent Midland University Tuesday at 8 p.m. in Fremont, Neb.