In a defensive battle, No. 18 DWU outlasts Concordia

MITCHELL, S.D. – After completing the game on a 10-4 run, the No. 18 Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team won its 13-straight game with a 70-64 victory over Concordia University Wednesday at the Corn Palace.

 The Great Plains Athletic Conference matchup began with layups by Jeffrey Schuch (Dell Rapids, S.D.), Koln Oppold (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Nick Harden (Chicago, Ill.) to give DWU a 6-2 lead. After the Bulldogs (11-6, 8-4 GPAC) knocked down a 3-pointer, Schuch and Harden made baskets to extend the lead.

 Concordia went on a quick 6-0 spurt to take its first lead of the night. After two Oppold baskets the Tigers (13-1, 9-0 GPAC) held a 16-13 lead midway through the opening half.

 Moments later, Oppold buried another shot from beyond the arc to push the advantage to seven points. After a Schuch layup gave the Tigers an eight-point lead, the Bulldogs went on a 13-0 run. However, DWU responded with a run of its own to take a halftime lead thanks to an 8-2 run to finish the half.

 Concordia opened the second frame with a 3-pointer to regain the lead once again. Schuch took over as he scored six-straight points for the Tigers as the game remained tied at 39 with 15 minutes to play.

 Trailing by two points moments later, the Tigers strung together another run to hold a 55-45 lead with 10 minutes to play. But, over the next six minutes, Concordia tied the game at 60 thanks to a 15-5 run.

 A pair of Oppold free throws handed the Tigers another lead. This time, DWU did not relinquish the lead after a Schuch tip-in and six-straight free throws down the stretch sealed the victory.

 Schuch tallied a career-high 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field. Harden added 17 points, five assists and four steals, while Oppold chipped in 14 points and seven rebounds. The Tigers outscored Concordia 44-26 in the paint and shot 49.1% from the field.

 DWU hits the road again to battle Midland University at 4 p.m. on Saturday in Fremont, Neb.