Second-Half Surge Propels Concordia over DWU
SEWARD, Neb. – Despite taking a three-point lead into halftime, the No. 10 Dakota Wesleyan University men’s basketball team was unable to hold-off Concordia University on Saturday, falling 95-79 in a Great Plains Athletic Conference game in Seward, Neb.
SEWARD, Neb. – Despite taking a three-point lead into halftime, the No. 10 Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team was unable to hold-off Concordia University on Saturday, falling 95-79 in a Great Plains Athletic Conference game in Seward, Neb.
The Tigers (8-3, 4-1 GPAC) cruised to an eight-point lead on a jumper by Jason Spicer (Sioux Falls, S.D.) early in the first half. However, the Bulldogs (7-4, 2-3 GPAC) answered as turnovers plagued the Tiger offense. DWU was able to find a spark after freshman Collin Kramer (Volga, S.D.) knocked down a long range 3-pointer, giving the Tigers a 34-30 lead with 2:47 to play in the first half. A minute later, fellow freshman Ty Hoglund (Dell Rapids, S.D.) connect on another 3-pointer, giving the Tigers a seven-point advantage.
DWU's lead slowly started to trickle away in the beginning of the second half, but a Kramer mid-lane jumper knotted the game up at 58 apiece with 11:08 remaining in the contest. The Bulldog defense began to hassle the Tigers as Concordia ultimately took a 12-point lead with 5:49 to go in the game. DWU was unable to find any momentum down the stretch as the Bulldogs connected on most of their free throws, giving Concordia the upper hand late in the game.
Spicer led the Tigers with 26 points and six rebounds, while Vandeberg tallied 19 points. Tate Martin tallied a double-double with 10 points and 11 assists, while Ty Hoglund added 10 points.
The Tigers shot 50 percent from the field, 44 percent from beyond the arc and 67 percent from the charity stripe.
DWU takes on Doane University in a GPAC battle at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.
