Tigers shoot past Saints at NAIA Classic

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – After jumping out to an 11-0 lead to begin the game, the Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team never looked back as they defeated Presentation College, 103-76 Sunday at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

 The Tigers (3-0) opened the game with an 11-0 run that was capped off by a Collin Kramer (Volga, S.D.) 3-pointer. Midway through the first half, Nick Harden (Chicago, Ill.) found Koln Oppold (Sioux Falls, S.D.) who finished the layup to give DWU a 20-10 lead.

 The Saints (0-4) climbed back into the game with a layup a minute later to make it a six-point game. But, the Tigers extended their lead with a 13-4 run over the next four minutes to take a 33-16 lead with five minutes left in the half.

 With the half almost over, Ty Hoglund (Dell Rapids, S.D.) banked in a 3-pointer. Then Harden stole the in-bounds pass and made a layup as time expired to give DWU a 52-31 lead at the break.

 Sam McCloud (Rapid City, S.D.) opened the second half with back-to-back 3-pointers to kickstart the Tiger offense.

 With 12:40 left in the game, Hoglund stole the ball and found Nate Davis (Watertown, S.D.), who dished it back to Hoglund for the fast-break layup. Moments later, Aaron Ahmadu (Houston, Texas) passed the ball behind his back to McCloud, who found Hoglund as he nailed a shot from beyond the arc to push the Tiger lead to 25 points.

 With 2:34 left to play, Davis made a pair of free throws to put the Tigers over the century mark on their way to victory.

 Hoglund finished two points shy of a career high with 35 points on 13-of-22 shooting from the field. Oppold tallied 14 points and six rebounds, as Harden added 13 points and five assists. The Tigers shot 48 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from 3-point range, while forcing 20 Saint turnovers.

 DWU hosts Northwestern College for a Great Plains Athletic Conference home opener at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Corn Palace.