No. 5 DWU women hang on for 1st win in Orange City in 12 years

ORANGE CITY, Iowa – It is becoming common for the 2015-16 Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team to accomplish something not seen by the program since the glory days shortly after the turn of the century. The Tigers did just that against Northwestern College Wednesday in Orange City, Iowa.

The No. 5 Tigers overcame a slow start and early double-digit deficit to defeat the Red Raiders 73-70, holding off a late run by the home team. The win was the first for DWU in Orange City since 2002-03. The Tigers move to 14-1 overall and 8-1 in the GPAC. DWU now has as many wins overall and more in the GPAC than all of last season.

Northwestern ran out to a 12-point lead early, looking to pull the upset. The Tigers calmed down, started to hit shots and get stops. DWU climbed back into the game, tying the score at 24 with a 10-2 run to open the second quarter. The Tigers continued to apply the offensive pressure and took a 39-32 lead into the half.

DWU maintained its lead until the late minutes of the fourth quarter when Northwestern made a run. The Red Raiders cut the DWU lead to just a pair with 26 seconds left. Sophomore forward Amber Bray (Anoka, Minn.) hit a pair of free throws to put the Tigers up four, but a deep 3-pointer from Northwestern again cut the DWU lead to one possession.

Bray calmly hit another pair from the line and the Tigers held on for the win to maintain a first-place tie with No. 2 Morningside College at the top of the GPAC standings.

Four DWU starters finished in double figures in the win, led by reigning GPAC Player of the Week Kristin Sabers (Mitchell, S.D.) with 22 points on 9-of-19 shooting. She added two 3-pointers, four assists, three steals and three rebounds. Junior forward Erica Herrold (Dimock, S.D.) continues to be a force down low for the Tigers, scoring 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting, while adding six rebounds and three steals.

Freshman guard Rylie Osthus (De Smet, S.D.) has embraced her role as the point guard for the Tigers this season. She scored 13 points, adding seven assists and six rebounds against the Red Raiders. Bray chipped in with 11 points, including four-big-late free throws, and four rebounds.

The Tigers shot 27-of-57 from the field and 5-of-17 from deep, while outrebounding Northwestern 36-35.

The Red Raiders were led by Kassidy De Jong with 21 points, while Darbi Gustafson and Renee Maneman each added 10 points. The Red Raiders shot 28-of-58 from the field and 4-of-18 from behind the 3-point line.

The Tigers continue GPAC play against the College of Saint Mary at 2 p.m. Friday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.