Stellar second half lifts DWU past Jamestown in GPAC Quarterfinals

MITCHELL, S.D. – Thanks to a combined 42 second-half points by Collin Kramer (Volga, S.D.) and Ty Hoglund (Dell Rapids, S.D.), the No. 11 Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team surged past the University of Jamestown, 90-75 Wednesday in the Great Plains Athletic Conference Quarterfinals at the Corn Palace in Mitchell.

 The Jimmies (18-13) held an early 4-0 lead after the opening few minutes. But a 3-pointer by Koln Oppold (Sioux Falls, S.D.) opened the scoring for DWU on the following possession.

 After UJ pulled ahead by three points, Samuel McCloud (Rapid City, S.D.) evened the score after converting a 3-point play the old-fashioned way with a layup and the foul. He made the ensuing free throw to tie the game.

 The Tigers (22-8) pulled ahead momentarily following a layup by Oppold on the next possession. However, the Jimmies strung together an 8-0 run to take a 16-10 lead.

 Kramer put an end to the run with a 3-pointer to pull DWU back within three points. After UJ pulled away to an eight-point advantage midway through the half, McCloud knocked down another 3-pointer to keep DWU within striking distance.

 Kramer added another shot from beyond the arc to make it a two-point game. After UJ pulled away to a seven-point lead, Kramer again buried a 3-pointer to keep DWU close.

 With two minutes to play in the half, Mason Larson (Langford, S.D.) and Hoglund made three-straight layups to bring DWU within one point. The Jimmies scored the final basket of the second half to hold a 40-35 lead at halftime.

 Both teams opened the second half with baskets as neither team could take advantage. But a fastbreak 3-pointer by Hoglund enlivened the crowd and brought the Tigers within a point.

 The next trip down the court, Oppold found Hoglund for another 3-point basket to tie the game at 53. Moments later, Oppold found Kramer behind the arc as he knocked down his shot. A few possessions later, Kramer returned the favor as he found Oppold for a 3-pointer to push the lead to five points.

 The Tigers began to take control of the game after Kramer buried a pair of shots from beyond the arc to build a nine-point lead with 4:22 to play. 

 With under two minutes to play, Larson dished the ball to a cutting Hoglund who sank his layup and was fouled. He made his free throw to extend the lead to 82-67, as the Tigers pulled away down the stretch.

 Kramer tallied a career-high 25 points on 6-of-14 shooting from beyond the arc, along with six rebounds and three assists. Hoglund notched 33 points on 10-of-20 shooting from the field, as Oppold added 15 points, four rebounds and four assists.

 DWU secured its' 1,500^th win in program history as the Tigers shot 46.8% from the field and 37.9% from 3-point range.

 The Tigers battle (RV) Mount Marty College in the GPAC Semifinals at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Corn Palace.