Warriors pull away late from DWU men

FREMONT, Neb. – A last-second 3-pointer proved to be the difference on Tuesday night as Midland University topped the No. 10 Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team 77-75 in Great Plains Athletic Conference action in Fremont, Neb.

 The Tigers got off on the right track when Collin Kramer (Volga, S.D.) sank a 3-pointer to DWU its first lead of the game. But, it was a seesaw battle for the rest of the first half. DWU found a little breathing room with 7:02 to play in the first half when Jason Spicer (Sioux Falls, S.D.) hit a layup to give the Tigers a four-point lead.

 It was all DWU for the rest of the first half, leading by as much as 14 points when Ty Hoglund (Dell Rapids, S.D.) sank a deep 3-pointer. A strong defensive effort kept Midland off the scoreboard for the remainder of the half as the Tigers took a 12-point lead heading into the locker room.

 DWU stormed out of the gates in the second half, taking an 18-point lead as Nygel Drury (Madison, Wis.) recorded the old fashion three-point play. Midland slowly began to chip away, ultimately tying the game with 7:49 to play in the game. It was a shootout the rest of the way, but Spicer gave the Tigers a four-point cushion with 1:38 to go, however back-to-back 3-pointers secured the victory for Midland.

 Hoglund led the Tigers with 19 points, five rebounds and five assists. Spicer added 18 points and four assists, while Trae Vandeberg (Madison, S.D.) had 13 points and Kramer tallied 12 points and nine rebounds. Drury pitched in 10 points and six boards as the Tigers shot 51 percent from the field.

 The Tigers (5-4, 1-2 GPAC) step out of conference play to travel south and take on the University of Saint Mary at 4 p.m. Saturday in Leavenworth, Kan.