No. 17 DWU survives overtime thriller at Midland

MITCHELL, S.D. – Thanks to a 3-point play in overtime by Collin Kramer (Volga, S.D.), the No. 17 Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team defeated Midland University, 95-92 in a Great Plains Athletic Conference battle Saturday in Fremont, Neb.

 The Warriors (2-3, 0-2 GPAC) jumped out to an early 11-4 lead three minutes into the game, forcing a DWU timeout.

 Three minutes later, Nick Harden (Chicago, Ill.) made a 3-point shot to pull the Tigers (5-0, 2-0 GPAC) within two points. A few possessions later, Aaron Ahmadu (Houston, Texas) poured in another 3-pointer to give DWU its' first lead of the contest.

 Both teams went back and forth trading the lead over the next few minutes. But, Midland extended its' lead to seven points with 38 seconds left and held a five-point lead at halftime.

 Midland came out in the second half and pushed the lead to eight points early. However, Harden made a shot from beyond the arc and a layup to pull the Tigers within three points.

 Harden continued to tear through the second half as he tied the game at 51 after another 3-pointer. Both teams continued to trade baskets throughout the second half as neither team pulled away.

 Down by three points with 24 seconds left, Ty Hoglund (Dell Rapids, S.D.) made two free throws to pull DWU within a point. On the ensuing inbounds pass, the Warriors turned the ball over with a travel violation. Seconds later, Harden found Samuel McCloud (Rapid City, S.D.) beyond the arc as he made a 3-pointer to give DWU a two-point lead with 15 seconds left. Midland tied the game moments later to force overtime with a layup.

 In overtime, Kramer made three-consecutive free throws to take a 92-90 lead with 1:35 left. With the score tied at 92, Kramer drove to the basket and made a layup as he was fouled on the play. He made the free throw to ice the game and give the Tigers the victory.

 Harden led all scorers with 24 points, three rebounds and three assists. Ahmadu netted a career-high 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field, while Hoglund tallied 20 points and four assists. DWU shot 50 percent from the field in the game and 81 percent from the free-throw line.

 The Tigers return home to battle Sisseton Wahpeton College at 7 p.m. Monday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell.