DWU women go 2-0 at South Dakota NAIA Classic

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The No. 8 Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team added two more wins to the win column, defeating Presentation College 89-57 on Saturday and Dakota State University on Sunday by the final of 106-45 in the second annual South Dakota NAIA Classic at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

 Despite a slow start against Presentation, the second quarter proved to be the difference for the Tigers. DWU took the lead at the 3:44 mark in the first quarter off a layup from Amber Bray (Anoka, Minn.). Later in the quarter, two 3-pointers by Kynedi Cheeseman (Alexandria, S.D.) and Amber Bray put the Tigers in front by five points heading into the second quarter.

 It was all DWU in the second quarter, holding the Saints to 12 points in the quarter. The Tiger scurried to an 11-point lead, thanks to a layup from Rylie Osthus (De Smet, S.D.). Strong defense kept PCU at bay as the Tigers took a 20-point lead heading into the locker room.

 Sophomore Makaela Karst (Plankinton, S.D.) hit a 3-pointer at the 4:22 mark to propel the Tiger offense and ultimately take a 61-36 lead coming out of the break. The Tigers weren't done, as Osthus sank another shot from beyond the arc, followed by a 3-pointer from Madison Mathews (Draper, S.D.).

 An Amber Bray free throw with under three minutes to play sealed the victory for DWU.

 Amber Bray led the Tigers with 26 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Osthus added 13 points and five assists, while Cheeseman had 12 points, six rebounds and five assists. Newcomer Jessica Mieras (Sioux Falls, S.D.) added 10 points and four rebounds off the bench as the Tigers shot 52 percent from the field.

 There was no lack of offense for the Tigers against Dakota State, as DWU led 30-4 at the end of the first quarter and 55-19 heading into halftime. DWU orchestrated a powerful offensive attack against the Trojans, while seven Tigers scored double-digits.

 Mieras led the way with 15 points, while Karst and Amber Bray had 13 points, respectively. Ashley Bray (Anoka, Minn.) had 11 points and Mikaela Stofferahn (Dell Rapids, S.D.), Cheeseman and Osthus tallied 10 points each. Osthus added six steals and four rebounds, while Chesney Nagel (Springfield, S.D.) had 10 rebounds.

 The Tigers (3-0) head north for an exhibition game against Northern State University at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Aberdeen, S.D.