Tiger men halt Doane in conference play

MITCHELL, S.D. – With 4:36 remaining in the game, Jason Spicer (Sioux Falls, S.D.) sparked life into the Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team with a crucial three-point shot followed by a layup to extend the lead and down Great Plains Athletic Conference foe Doane University, 89-76 Saturday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell.

 The Tigers (8-4, 2-2 GPAC) got their offense going early as they jumped out to an early 6-0 lead causing Doane to call a timeout.

 DWU extended their lead to double-digits in the first half following back-to-back three-pointers by Samuel McCloud (Rapid City, S.D.) and Tyson Smiley (Omaha, Neb.).

 Doane made a run late in the first half to cut the DWU lead to three points. However, the Tigers held Doane in check as they took a 40-35 lead at the half.

 Trae Vandeberg (Madison, S.D.) began the second half with a dunk to enliven the DWU faithful. The dunk began a 14-4 run by the Tigers to give them a 54-39 lead.

 The Tigers (4-6, 1-4 GPAC) from Doane stepped up their defensive play as they threw a full-court press at DWU. They cut the lead to seven points with six minutes left.

 Spicer and the Tigers built their lead back to double-digits to keep Doane at bay.

 Spicer finished with 27 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Vandeberg tallied 22 points, four assists and three rebounds, while Ty Hoglund (Dell Rapids, S.D.) added 22 points and four rebounds. Smiley notched seven points and four rebounds off the bench.

 The Tigers shot 53 percent from the field and outrebounded Doane 29-19 and had 22 assists compared to 11 from the visiting Tigers.

 The Tigers are back in action as they take on in-state foe Mount Marty College at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Yankton, S.D.