Tigers drop exhibition matchup to St. Cloud State

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The No. 6 Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team hit the road for an exhibition matchup versus NCAA Division II opponent, St. Cloud State University as DWU lost, 75-71 Saturday in St. Cloud, Minn.

 Ty Hoglund (Dell Rapids, S.D.) helped the Tigers to an early 4-0 advantage in the first minute of the game. After four minutes of play with the score tied at six, Samuel McCloud (Rapid City, S.D.) found Nick Harden (Chicago, Ill.) who nailed a 3-point shot to regain the lead.

 However, the Huskies answered with a 3-pointer of their own followed by a pair of free throws to take their first lead of the game.

 Over the next 2:23, SCSU went on a 10-2 run to take a 21-11 lead. But Tyson Smiley (Omaha, Neb.) and Hoglund hit 3-point shots to pull within four points midway through the first half.

 The Huskies strung together another run over the next 4:11 with a 13-4 run to hold a 34-21 lead. It was another run, this time by DWU as they went on a 9-2 spurt to pull back within six points. But the Huskies made a pair of free throws in the final minute of the half to take a 44-33 lead into the locker rooms.

 After four minutes of play into the second half, Harden made a layup to cut the deficit to single digits. Harden made three more layups, while Collin Kramer (Volga, S.D.) knocked down a jumper to pull the Tigers within a point.

 SCSU found some breathing room with a few baskets to pull away from DWU and hold a five-point lead. But McCloud hit a shot from beyond the arc to make it a 56-54 game midway through the second half.

 With five minutes to play, the Huskies took an eight-point lead. Moments later, Hoglund made a layup and a free throw to pull back within five points. Neither team scored again until a minute to play when the Huskies made a layup.

 Kramer responded with a 3-point basket to keep the Tigers within striking distance. However, SCSU converted on its' free throws down the stretch to down the Tigers in the exhibition contest.

 Smiley led the team with 21 points and six rebounds, as Hoglund added 18 points and Harden chipped in 17 points. DWU shot 45 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from 3-point range.

 The Tigers return to conference play to host (RV) Briar Cliff University at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Corn Palace.