Tigers rout Lancers behind Larson’s career high, extends winning streak

Yankton, S.D. –  In a game that saw the Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team never trail, DWU routed conference foe Mount Marty University 78-66 in Great Plains Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon in Yankton, S.D.

 Mason Larson (Langford, S.D.) guided DWU to a 6-2 lead at the 16:54 mark in the first half, converting off a Sawyer Schultz (Emery, S.D.) assist. The Dakota Wesleyan advantage stayed close until back-to-back 3-pointers from Larson, both assisted by Koln Oppold (Sioux Falls, S.D.), propelled the Tigers (9-1, 6-0 GPAC) to a 19-11 lead with under 12 minutes remaining in the first half.

 Larson and the Tigers continued to extend the margin throughout the opening half. A pair of free throws from Schultz pushed DWU to a 38-20 lead nearing the four-and-half minute mark. The lead reached a game-high 19 points as Dakota Wesleyan cruised to halftime up 46-30, while Larson tied a career-high 23 points in just 20 minutes of action.

 Both teams struggled to score initially in the second half, however, the Lancers (6-6,3-4 GPAC) narrowed the lead to 50-40 as the game approached 15 minutes of play. A defensive rebound by Schultz leading to a pair of Ace Zorr (Harrisburg, S.D.) free throws pushed the margin back to 12 moments later.

 Mount Marty responded with an 8-0 run pulling the game to within four at 52-48 nearing the halfway mark in the second half. After a Tiger timeout, Oppold knocked down one of his five baskets to break up the Lancer run and ultimately redirect the momentum. On the ensuing possession, a steal by Nick Harden (Chicago, Ill.) led to a jumper from Bradley Dean (Pierre, S.D.) giving DWU a 56-48 lead.

 Despite pulling within four late in the contest, MMU was unable to keep pace with Dakota Wesleyan as the Tigers secured the 78-66 road win. A late basket from Larson, who finished 10-for-23 from the field, along with a pair of free throws from Dean halted any comeback down the stretch by the Lancers.

 Three Tigers reached double figures as Larson tallied a career-high 29 points. The junior forward also chipped in seven rebounds and two assists. Jeffrey Schuch (Dell Rapids, S.D.) finished with 11 points while Oppold recorded a double-double behind 12 points and 14 rebounds. Dakota Wesleyan finished with 42 rebounds and 11 steals en route to its ninth-straight victory.

 The Blue and Gray return to the court next versus No. 7 Morningside College at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening in Sioux City, Iowa.