Defense shuts down Mount Marty, No. 11 Tigers handle Lancers

MITCHELL, S.D. – Fastbreak points helped the No. 11 Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team keep a fast pace as they outscored Mount Marty University 10-2 in fastbreak points. DWU used tight defense and fastbreak points to defeat MMU 69-58 on Sunday at the Corn Palace.

 Mason Larson (Langford, S.D.) kicked off the game with a 3-pointer to give the Tigers (14-3, 10-2 GPAC) an early lead. A pair of Koln Oppold (Sioux Falls, S.D.) free throws gave DWU a 5-0 lead.

 The Tiger defense held the Lancers (7-12, 4-10 GPAC) scoreless over the opening three minutes of the game. However, MMU broke the drought with a layup in the third minute of the game.

 Nick Harden (Chicago, Ill.) and Oppold made consecutive baskets to extend the Tiger lead. Midway through the half, after an and-one opportunity, the Lancers tied the game at 15. After Harden knocked down a mid-range jumper, MMU tied the game once again on the following possession.

 After the Lancers tied the game at 17, DWU went on a 15-0 run to hold a 32-17 advantage with four minutes left in the first half. The Tigers answered every Mount Marty score to take a 39-25 into the locker rooms.

 Sawyer Schultz (Emery, S.D.) opened the second half with a 3-pointer to get the Tigers off to a hot start. Thanks to layups by Larson and Oppold, the Tigers built an 18-point lead. However, the Lancers strung together a 9-2 run to pull within 11 points.

 Larson put an end to the run as Jeffrey Schuch (Dell Rapids, S.D.) found him beyond the arc for a deep 3-point basket. Midway through the second half, Larson made a pair of hustle plays as he knocked down a jumper, followed by a block of the defensive end. Larson continued his impressive string of plays as he knocked down another basket, followed up by another 3-pointer to push the lead to 20 points.

 Two Oppold free throws moved the scoreline to 69 for the Tigers with four minutes to play. The Lancers finished the contest on a 9-0 run, but it was too late as DWU swept the season series against MMU.

 Harden tallied 20 points and four steals, while Oppold added a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Larson finished with 15 points after shooting 6-of-9 from the field. After shooting 49.1% from the field, the Tigers held the Lancers to 37.3% from the floor.

 DWU travels north to battle (RV) University of Jamestown at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Jamestown, N.D.