No. 7 Tigers cruise past Vikings in non-conference action

MITCHELL, S.D. – Every player got to play as the No. 7 Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team scored 22 bench points en route to a 79-51 victory over Valley City State University Wednesday at the Corn Palace.

 The Vikings (2-11) jumped out to an early 7-4 lead following a 3-pointer in the third minute of the game. The Tigers (10-1) regained the lead, 13-12 following a Ty Hoglund (Dell Rapids, S.D.) free throw.

 VCSU took the lead back moments later after another 3-point basket. However, Hoglund tied the game with a layup on the next DWU possession.

 Nick Harden (Chicago, Ill.) and Tyson Smiley (Omaha, Neb.) made consecutive baskets to help push the lead midway through the half, as the Vikings took a timeout.

 Neither team scored for two minutes after the timeout until Harden knocked down a 3-pointer to push the lead to nine points.

 The Tigers went on a quick 9-0 run in less than a minute span as Mason Larson (Langford, S.D.), Hoglund and Smiley nailed a 3-pointer each. Harden made a pair of layups to finish the half and put DWU up 15 points.

 Smiley began the second half with back-to-back layups, followed by a 3-pointer by Samuel McCloud (Rapid City, S.D.) to push the lead to 20 points.

 Midway through the second half, McCloud hit another 3-pointer and Hoglund connected on a pair of free throws to make it a 24-point lead for the Tigers, as VCSU called a timeout.

 With five minutes to play, Koln Oppold (Sioux Falls, S.D.) made consecutive baskets and Bradley Dean (Pierre, S.D.) connected on a deep 3-pointer as DWU cruised to victory in non-conference action.

 Hoglund tallied 16 points and five assists, while Harden added 15 points and three steals and Smiley chipped in 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists. DWU scored 40 points in the paint and finished with 19 assists to five by the Vikings.

 The Tigers return to conference action as they host Doane University at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Corn Palace.