No. 7 Tigers handle Saints in NAIA Classic

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – After outscoring their opponent in every quarter, the No. 7 Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team cruised past Presentation College, 73-33 Sunday at Heritage Court at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

 The Saints (1-2) jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead. But the lead was short-lived as Kaylee Kirk (Balaton, Minn.) connected on a shot to hand DWU its' first lead of the game, 4-3.

 Moments later with the score tied at eight, freshman Kelsey Valencia (Atwater, Calif.) found nothing but net on a 3-point attempt. Following a Sarah Carr (Huron, S.D.) free throw, the Tigers (3-0) took a 12-10 lead into the second stanza.

 After four minutes of play in the second quarter, Kynedi Cheeseman (Alexandria, S.D.) buried a 3-pointer to give the Tigers a double-digit lead. DWU finished the half on a 10-0 run that was capped off by a Mattie Reiner (Tripp, S.D.) basket to give the Tigers a 35-15 lead at half.

 The Tigers picked up in the second half where they left off in the first with a 14-0 run that was highlighted by a Jessica Mieras (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Carr 3-point baskets. Cheeseman joined the 3-point scoring as she sank her shot from behind the arc to give DWU a 54-21 advantage after three quarters.

 Cheeseman, Carr and Kirk kicked off the final period with baskets to extend the lead. Later in the same quarter, freshman Payton Morgan (Mitchell, S.D.) knocked down a 3-point shot to help cushion the Tiger lead down the stretch and end the weekend with a win.

 Carr led the team with 15 points and three rebounds, as Cheeseman chipped in 14 points and three assists. Mieras came off the bench and tallied 13 points and six rebounds. DWU shot 42.7 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from 3-point range.

 The Tigers take the court next versus No. 5 Dordt University at 6 p.m. on Nov. 13 in Sioux Center, Iowa.