Mitchell, S.D. –
The Dakota Wesleyan men's basketball team hosted their last home game of the season against the Dordt university Defenders this evening for their senior night game. The Tigers claimed the lead as the first half came to a close but were unable to keep it going in the second half and were defeated 74-65. Senior Diang Gatluak made the most of his senior night scoring a team high 15 points to go with eight rebounds, three steals, and a pair of blocks.
Highlighted Player – Diang Gatluak – 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists, 2 blocks
Stat Leaders:
Points – Diang Gatluak (15)
Assists – Randy Rosenquist Jr. (3)
Rebounds – Diang Gatluak, Samuel Aslesen (8)
Blocks – Diang Gatluak, Samuel Aslesen (2)
Recap –
The Tigers started the contest with a deep Jakob Dobney triple and the two teams would go on to trade buckets early in the first half. The largest lead each team add was only four points and that lead was short lived for each team. With less than six minutes, Dordt had a three-point lead over the Tigers, but Dobney would drill another deep three-point bucket to tie it up at 26 all. Dordt would respond with a three of their own, unfortunately for them Kallan Herman hit a triple for the Tigers to keep the score tied. With the score tied, Diang Gatluak got the ball at the side post and shifted his defender enough to put in the flashy layup. Samuel Aslesen would knock down a pair of free throws and Herman drilled another triple to close the half with the Tigers leading 38-33.
In the second half, the Tigers struggled to get shots to go their way. Gatluak got DWU their first score of the half and the defense held Dordt scoreless for the first four minutes of the second half. However once Dordt scored, they kept it going, as they went on a 27-8 run. Down 60-46, DWU looked to change it up. Coach Wilber subbed in Kaden Year, Ethan Determan, and Oliver Vincent looking to get a spark from the freshman, and they did just that. Vincent locked up Dordt's point guard and year ripped down six defensive boards in just nine minutes of play. Determan and Year combined for 11 points with three triples between them, bringing the Tigers back within five points. With less than two minutes, Herman drove to the rim and hit a euro-step to get past a pair of Defenders. As Dordt tried to bring the ball down, Gatluak snagged the steal at half court and threw down a poster dunk over Dordt's 6' 8" center to cut the deficit to three points. With less than a minute, the Tigers were forced to foul late and Dordt made free throws and DWU was unable to get shots to fall late. DWU would be defeated 74-65 in the final home game of the season.
Up Next for the Tigers –
The Tigers will head north to Jamestown, N.D. to take on the Jimmies. Tip off is set for 3:45 p.m. on February 24th in Jamestown.