SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team opened the 2015-16 Great Plains Athletic Conference schedule on the road against No. 7 Briar Cliff University Wednesday in Sioux City, Iowa.
The Tigers had trouble getting the offense going against the Chargers, as BCU, which made a run to the NAIA national semifinal last season, handed DWU its first loss of the season 70-55. The loss drops the Tigers to 4-1 overall and 0-1 in the GPAC.
The Chargers jumped out to a 10-2 lead to start the game, while DWU fought to get back in it the rest of the way. The Tigers pulled to within four points on a couple of occasions, but 3-point shooting woes and turnovers kept DWU from getting on a run.
The Tigers shot 19-of-54 from the field, 6-of-27 from deep and 11-of-20 from the free-throw line in the loss.
Sophomore forward Amber Bray (Anoka, Minn.) was a bright spot for the Tigers with a game-high 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting, while grabbing a team-high seven rebounds. Juniors Erica Herrold (Dimock, S.D.) and Kristin Sabers (Mitchel, S.D.) each added 11 points for DWU, while freshman guard Rylie Osthus scored nine.
The Tigers were outrebounded 43-33, while committing 17 turnovers compared to 14 assists.
The Chargers got a team-high 14 points from Morgan Hansen, while Jessi Corrick and Kaylee Bake added 13 and 11, respectively. BCU shot 26-of-61 from the field, 2-of-8 from deep and 16-of-21 from the line. The Chargers are now 6-0 overall and 1-0 in the GPAC.
The Tigers travel to Nebraska Wesleyan University for another GPAC contest at 2 p.m. Saturday in Lincoln, Neb.