MITCHELL, S.D. – It was precision shooting from the University of Jamestown as they shot 68.8% from 3-point range to upset the No. 10 Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team, 82-75 in a Great Plains Athletic Conference tilt Wednesday night at the Corn Palace.
The Jimmies (16-8, 7-7 GPAC) opened the game on a 13-6 scoring run over the first five minutes of the game. The went on another run, this time on an 11-4 run over the following five minutes of play to hold a 24-10 lead midway through the first half.
Through those 10 minutes of play, UJ shot 73% from the field, compared to 20% shooting by the Tigers (17-5, 9-4 GPAC).
However, following a missed layup, Mason Larson (Langford, S.D.) made sure his shot went in as he slammed home a dunk to enliven the Tiger crowd.
Moments later, Ty Hoglund (Dell Rapids, S.D.) made a layup and a 3-pointer to pull DWU back within single digits. With under four minutes to play in the half, Hoglund continued his hot shooting as he pulled up from way downtown to make a deep 3-pointer, followed by a layup on the next possession to make it a one-point game.
Collin Kramer (Volga, S.D.) tried to keep DWU within distance as he made a layup and a pair of free throws. But the Jimmies held onto a six-point advantage at halftime.
The Tigers came out right away as Larson found Samuel McCloud (Rapid City, S.D.) for a layup to begin the half.
DWU did not convert on a field goal for almost four minutes, until Hoglund knocked down a 3-pointer to keep the Tigers within three points.
With 11:29 to play, Kramer found himself open behind the 3-point arc as he buried his shot to tie the game at 55.
However, the Jimmies went on an 11-5 run over the following five minutes to take a 66-60 lead with seven minutes to play.
But Larson nailed a 3-pointer to pull the Tigers within a point with five minutes to play. Down by nine points with three minutes to play, McCloud knocked down a 3-pointer, followed by a Larson fast-break dunk to keep the Tigers alive.
However, the Jimmies made their free throws down the stretch to seal the game and defeat the Tigers at home.
Hoglund scored a game-high 39 points on 13-of-25 shooting from the field, along with five rebounds and four assists. Larson added 14 points and six rebounds, while McCloud and Kramer notched eight points each. DWU shot 42.9% from the field and scored 34 points in the paint.
The Tigers battle (RV) Concordia University at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Corn Palace.
