SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team stumbled in exhibition play, 91-67, versus in-state and NCAA Division II opponent Augustana University on Monday evening from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Senior center Jada Campbell, who led Dakota Wesleyan with nine points and four rebounds in the first half, kept DWU within reach of Augustana early in the first quarter with a converted jumper. Fellow senior Kaylee Kirk followed with a pair of free throws; yet AU constructed a double-digit lead, 17-6, at the 6:09 mark in the opening stanza. Kirk ended the game 8-of-8 from the free-throw line as DWU knocked down 17-of-21 attempts from the charity stripe.
The Tigers (12-2), who looked to cut into the Augustana advantage, trimmed the lead to single digits, 26-17, at the end of the first period. Matti Reiner converted a layup off an offensive rebound as she scored 22 points along with seven rebounds while Aspen Hansen made two more attempts from the charity stripe.
AU pushed its lead to a then game-high 15 points, 34-19, midway through the second quarter, however, DWU head coach Jason Christensen and the Tigers responded with an 11-6 close to finish the first half. Kirk, who tallied 10 points, six rebounds and three steals, finished off a pass from Campbell and freshman Morgan Edelman capped off the run with a layup with under 30 seconds to play until halftime.
Heading into the lockeroom, Dakota Wesleyan faced a 10-point disadvantage, 40-30.
DWU, who looked to claw back into the game, further cropped the Vikings' (6-5) advantage to five points, 49-44, midway through the third period. Reiner notched an old-fashioned 3-point play thanks to a dish from Isabel Ihnen and Rynn Osthus secured a finish near the rim after an offensive rebound. DWU registered 42 rebounds, including 15 offensive rebounds in the game and appeared poised to take its first lead of the night down the stretch of the quarter.
Multiple free throws from Kirk, the 5-foot-5 point guard, brought Dakota Wesleyan to within four points, 55-51, with 1:40 remaining, though the Vikings (6-5) rattled off nine of the final 10 points of the quarter. Augustana held a 64-52 lead entering the final 10 minutes of play as AU shot 55.6% from the field.
Natalie Gottlob recorded four-straight points in the fourth quarter, including a field goal off a pass from Lacey Sprakel, however, Augustana outscored the Tigers 27-15 in the final frame for the 91-67 home victory.
Reiner amassed a team-high 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting while Campbell ended the night with the near double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. On the glass, Dakota Wesleyan meanwhile outrebounded the Vikings 42-31 as a four Tigers finished with six-or-more rebounds.
UP NEXT
DWU finishes out the regular season in conference play starting with in-state and Great Plains Athletic Conference foe Mount Marty University at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 30th from Cimpl Arena in Yankton, S.D.