SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – One day after entering the NAIA Coaches' Poll for the first time in nearly two years, the No. 16 Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team showed why it has risen so fast.
The Tigers hit shots from all over the court in a 93-65 win over Dordt College in a Great Plains Athletic Conference matchup Wednesday in Sioux Center, Iowa. The Tigers were 17-of-36 from behind the 3-point line and pulled away in the second half to move to 9-1 overall and 3-1 in the GPAC.
Reigning GPAC Player of the Week Kristin Sabers (Mitchell, S.D.) continued her outstanding play this season, tying a Tiger team record. The junior forward hit eight 3-pointers, setting a new career high and matching the team mark. Sabers now shares the record with Nikki Weber (2001-02), Abbey DeWolf (2003-04) and Amanda Hart (2011-12).
Sabers finished with a game-high 26 points on 9-of-18 shooting, while adding six assists and three rebounds. The performance was the third time in four games that Sabers has gone over 20 points.
Junior forward Erica Herrold has led the Tigers in scoring in 2015-16, coming into the matchup against Dordt averaging 15.1 points per game. The Dimock, S.D., native netted 22 points on 8-of-16, hitting three 3-pointers and grabbing six rebounds.
Early in the game, sophomore Amber Bray (Anoka, Minn.) got the Tigers going on offense. She scored nine points in the first half and finished with 11 and four rebounds. Junior guard Gabby Frykbo (Sodertalje, Sweden) got in on the hot shooting, making three 3-pointers and finishing with nine points, five assists and four rebounds.
The Tigers were 33-of-71 from the field and made 10-of-11 free throws. DWU came into the game leading the nation in assists per game and did nothing to hurt that status against Dordt, as the Tigers totaled 24 in the win. DWU outrebounded Dordt 40-31.
Dordt was led by Alissa Pollema with 20 points and six rebounds, while Abby Chapman and Cassidy Vredevooqd each added 10 points. The Defenders were 25-of-56 from the field and 5-of-17 from deep.
The Tigers return home to take on No. 9 Concordia University at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.