No. 9 Tigers drop road battle to Broncos

HASTINGS, Neb. – The No. 9 Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team concluded the regular season with a 70-62 loss at Hastings College in Great Plains Athletic Conference action on Saturday in Hastings, Neb.

 After HC began the scoring, Mason Larson (Langford, S.D.) nailed a 3-pointer to put the Tigers (21-8, 13-7 GPAC) on the scoreboard.

 HC answered with five-straight points to regain the lead. But Larson kept the Tigers close as he converted on an and-one with a layup and a free throw.

 With just over 11 minutes to play in the half, Ty Hoglund (Dell Rapids, S.D.) buried a 3-pointer to hand DWU its' first lead of the game. The Broncos (15-15, 8-12 GPAC) responded with a jump shot to regain the lead. However, Samuel McCloud (Rapid City, S.D.) made another 3-pointer for DWU to flip the lead once again.

 The Broncos jumped back out front moments later, as they completed the half on a 23-7 run to take a 38-24 lead into the locker rooms at halftime.

 Larson and McCloud opened the second half with consecutive 3-pointers to help cut into the deficit. Larson added another basket moments later to trim the deficit to 11 points.

 But, just as they did before, the Broncos responded with a 3-pointer to push their lead back to 14 points.

 The Tigers went on a mini 7-0 run to pull within single digits with 14 minutes to play in the game. After HC ended the run with a 3-pointer, DWU went on another run, this time an 11-2 spurt to bring the Tigers within one point midway through the second half.

 Just as it seemed DWU would regain the lead, the Broncos went on a 14-2 run over the next five minutes to balloon their lead back to double digits. The run was enough to put DWU away as the Tigers could not overcome the late deficit.

 Larson led the team with 19 points and three rebounds, as Hoglund notched 16 points, five steals and four assists. McCloud chipped in nine points on three 3-pointers, along with five rebounds. DWU shot 35.9% from the field and forced 14 turnovers.

 The Tigers host University of Jamestown in the GPAC Tournament Quarterfinals at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in the Corn Palace in Mitchell.