No. 14 DWU dominates Doane

MITCHELL, S.D. – After outscoring Doane University 56-15 in the first half, the No. 14 Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team cruised to a 98-41 victory in a Great Plains Athletic Conference matchup Saturday at the Corn Palace.

 DWU jumped out to an early 8-0 lead following 3-pointers by Makaela Karst (Plankinton, S.D.) and Sarah Carr (Huron, S.D.). Doane (1-11, 0-7 GPAC) got on the scoreboard two minutes into the game with a 3-pointer of their own.

 Kynedi Cheeseman (Alexandria, S.D.) answered with six-straight points to push the DWU (10-3, 4-3 GPAC) lead to double digits.

 In the second quarter, DWU continued to handle Doane as they only allowed four points. On the offensive end, it was freshman Matti Reiner (Tripp, S.D.) who nailed a 3-pointer in the beginning moments of the quarter.

 With the half winding down, Kaylee Kirk (Balaton, Minn.) recorded a pair of steals and a layup to help DWU extend its' lead to 41 points as the teams headed to their locker rooms.

 The second half spelled much of the same as Carr knocked down another 3-point basket and two free throws to kick off the third period. With less than two minutes to play in the game, freshman Sydnaya Dunn (Sioux Falls, S.D.) hit a shot from beyond the arc to help push DWU to victory.

 In the game, 13 different Tigers scored a point as Carr led the team with 23 points. Kirk finished the game with six points, nine rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block. Haylee Mork (Aberdeen, S.D.) and Jessica Mieras (Sioux Falls, S.D.) tallied 11 points apiece off the bench.

 DWU shot 49.4% from the field and 53.1% from 3-point range. DWU also outrebounded Doane 47-34 and finished with 31 assists.

 The Tigers head south to battle Florida National University at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday and play No. 10 Saint Xavier University at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Cruzin Classic in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.