DWU cruises past Vikings in non-conference tilt

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The No. 18 Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team secured its' 20^th win of the season with a 93-77 non-conference victory over Valley City State University Wednesday night in Valley City, N.D.

 Ty Hoglund (Dell Rapids, S.D.) and Nick Harden (Chicago, Ill.) combined for the first 21 points for DWU as they jumped out to an early 10-4 lead in the opening minutes.

 Midway through the opening half, Tristan Teichmeier (Sioux Falls, S.D.) connected on a basket to push the lead to seven points. On the next possession, Mason Larson (Langford, S.D.) added a basket to force the Viking (8-18) timeout.

 With 9:55 left in the first half, Harden found Larson behind the arc who hit a 3-pointer. Less than a minute later, Hoglund added a 3-point basket to push the Tiger (20-8) lead to double digits.

 VCSU went on a 10-0 run to tie the game at 32. However, Aaron Ahmadu (Houston, Texas) made a pair of free throws to end the run and give the lead back to DWU.

 After the Vikings took their first lead of the game with a 3-pointer, Samuel McCloud (Rapid City, S.D.) answered with a 3-point shot of his own to begin an 8-0 run by DWU.

 Following the run, VCSU scored the final four points of the half as DWU led 42-39 at halftime.

 The Vikings kept within striking distance to begin the second half until they tied the game with a 3-point shot three minutes into the half. However, an Ahmadu 3-point basket handed the lead back to DWU.

 The Tigers strung together a 12-2 run to take a 10-point lead and force the VCSU timeout. With two minutes to play, the Vikings made it an eight-point game with a basket. But, eight-consecutive free throws down the stretch sealed the game for DWU.

 Hoglund tallied 40 points and four rebounds, as Harden poured in 24 points, six steals, four assists and four rebounds. Ahmadu notched 12 points and five rebounds, while McCloud and Larson added six points apiece. The Tigers shot 49.2 percent from the field and 47.6 percent from 3-point range, while forcing 19 turnovers.

 DWU concludes the regular season against Doane University at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Corn Palace.