Tiger men outlast Spires on the road

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The No. 10 Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team hit the road on Saturday and picked up a nonconference victory over the University of Saint Mary, 82-75 in Leavenworth, Kan.

 Sophomore Ty Hoglund (Dell Rapids, S.D.) led the way for the Tigers in the first half, sinking a 3-pointer early in the contest to give DWU a 11-3 lead. It was a back-and-forth affair for much of the game as USM tied the game at 20 apiece with 9:15 to play in the first half.

 DWU took the lead at the 3:45 mark, thanks to a long-range 3-pointer by Nygel Drury (Madison, Wis.) However, it was the Spires that would defend their home court, tying the game at 40 with 1:21 to play in the half. Ultimately, it was Tyson Smiley (Omaha, Neb.) that gave the Tigers a two-point lead heading into the locker room on a made 3-pointer in the closing seconds.

 Both teams exchanged the lead in the opening minutes of the second half until Smiley hit a jumper to give DWU a seven-point lead that was extended to nine points on another shot from beyond the arc by Drury.

 Heading into the latter portion of the game, the Spires gave it all they had. USM would come within five points, but it was Hoglund and Drury that gave the Tigers breathing room as they both found the net on a pair of jumpers to seal the victory for DWU.

 Hoglund led the Tigers with 23 points and five rebounds on 7-of-14 shooting from the field, including 5-of-8 shooting from three-point land. Senior Jason Spicer (Sioux Falls, S.D.) added 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists on 7-of-11 shooting from the field. Drury had 15 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Smiley had 14 points and four boards. The Tigers shot 54 percent from the field and 48 percent from beyond the arc.

 DWU (6-4, 1-2 GPAC) continues nonconference play, taking on Sisseton Wahpeton College at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Sisseton, S.D. The Tigers won the first matchup between the two teams on Oct. 27, 118-70 in Mitchell.