LINCOLN, Neb. – For the final time as conference foes, the Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team headed to Lincoln, Neb., to take on Nebraska Wesleyan University in a Great Plains Athletic Conference matchup Saturday.
The Tigers started the game strong and pulled away in the second half to win for the first time in the GPAC this season. DWU topped NWU, which will leave the league after the 2015-16 season, 79-51 and moves to 5-1 overall and 1-1 in the GPAC.
DWU opened the game on an 11-0 run, including a pair of 3-pointers from junior forward Erica Herrold (Dimock, S.D.), who had 13 points in the first half for the Tigers. NWU fought back and took a 17-16 lead late in the first quarter, but the Tigers scored the next seven points and led 36-28 at the break. Midway through the third quarter, DWU built a 17-point lead and cruised to the win.
The game was delayed by nearly 30 minutes when NWU's Klaire Phillips suffered an apparent neck injury and had to leave the game in an ambulance.
The Tigers shot 30-of-51 from the field, 9-of-22 from deep and 10-of-11 from the line, while getting outrebounded 32-29. DWU had 26 assists and 15 turnovers in the win.
Herrold scored a game-high 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while adding three assists. Sophomore Ashley Bray (Anoka, Minn.) hit a 3-pointer to close the third quarter and finished with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting off the bench for the Tigers.
The Tigers got eight points each from sophomore Amber Bray (Anoka, Minn.) and freshman Rylie Osthus (De Smet, S.D.), while junior Kristin Sabers (Mitchell, S.D.) added seven points, five rebounds and five assists.
NWU had four players with nine points in the game. The Prairie Wolves shot 19-of-56 from the field, 6-of-20 from deep and 7-of-10. NWU had 11 assists and 19 turnovers in the game.
The Tigers continue GPAC play against instate rival Mount Mary College at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.