Tigers cruise to victory over Blue Hawks

DICKINSON, N.D. – Thanks to a game-high 26 points from senior Nick Harden (Chicago, Ill.), the Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team cruised to an 87-72 victory over Dickinson State University Friday in Dickinson, N.D.

 The Blue Hawks (3-3), got off to a hot start as they held a 6-4 lead after three minutes of play. After Harden tied the game, both teams traded blows for the following few possessions.

 Moments later, Mason Larson (Langford, S.D.) drained a 3-pointer, followed by a pair of Harden free throws and layup. The Tigers (5-1) took their first double-digit lead after a quick 7-0 run that was capped off by a Koln Oppold (Sioux Falls, S.D.) shot.

 Sawyer Schultz (Emery, S.D.) joined the action as he made a shot and a 3-pointer to push the lead to 14 points. Drew Cole (Brookings, S.D.) and Schultz made consecutive shots from downtown, followed by free throws from Harden to extend the advantage to 20 points.

 The Blue Hawks made a run late in the first half as they cut into the DWU lead. After a pair of 3-pointers and two field goals, DSU cut the lead to 51-37 at halftime.

 Harden kickstarted the Tiger offense in the second half as he drained a 3-pointer in the opening minute. DSU made a run following the Harden shot and pulled within 10 points. However, Jeffrey Schuch (Dell Rapids, S.D.) made back-to-back shots to push the lead back to 14 points.

 Moments later, Schultz and Larson found nothing but net from beyond the arc, forcing a Blue Hawk timeout. Coming out of the timeout, DSU attempted another run, pulling within 11 points, forcing a DWU timeout.

 Coming out of their timeout, the Tigers ballooned their lead to 18 points. The Blue Hawks attempted one final comeback as they trimmed the DWU lead down to 11 points with five minutes to play.

 But that was all the closer the Tigers allowed DSU to get as they held on for the 15-point victory.

 Harden paced the team with 26 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the charity stripe, as Oppold came off the bench to record a double-double as he tallied 16 points and 14 rebounds. Schultz added 16 points off 4-of-7 shooting from 3-point range, while the Tigers finished 90% from the free-throw line.

 The Tigers return to action to host in-state rival Dakota State University at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Corn Palace.