MITCHELL, S.D. – The top ranked squad in the NAIA came into the Corn Palace and never allowed the No. 6 Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team to get going in a Great Plains Athletic Conference matchup Wednesday in Mitchell, S.D.
The Tigers fell behind 15-4 early and never recovered, dropping the matchup of the top two GPAC teams 86-48. The loss is the second straight in league play for DWU, which drops to 15-3 overall and 8-3 in the GPAC.
Morningside scored on five of its first six trips down the floor and shot 55 percent in the first quarter to build a 24-11 lead. The Mustangs held off any attempt at a DWU rally in the second and led 45-22 heading into the break. The Tiger defense stiffened in the third, but the offense remained stagnant and Morningside, the defending NAIA National Champion, cruised down the stretch.
DWU was led by junior Erica Herrold (Dimock, S.D.) and sophomore Ashley Bray (Anoka, Minn.) with 11 points and six rebounds each. Sophomore forward Amber Bray added 10 points and six rebounds in the loss.
The Tigers shot 17-of-65 from the field, 3-of-21 from deep and 11-of-17 from the line. DWU finished with 15 assists and 17 turnovers, while getting outrebounded 42-35.
Jessica Tietz led the Mustangs with 22 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double, while Morningside shot 32-of-69 from the field and 11-of-25 from behind the 3-point line.
The Tigers continue GPAC play against another tough opponent at No. 9 Concordia University Saturday in Seward, Neb.
