MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team lost four straight in the Great Plains Athletic Conference after starting the season 8-1. The No. 13 Tigers took out their frustration on Midland University, swarming the Warriors Sunday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.
DWU held Midland to just 25 percent shooting and pulled away in the second half for a 61-37 win to move to 16-5 overall and 9-5 in the GPAC. The Tigers are now tied for third place with Hastings College and Briar Cliff University and are just a half game behind Concordia University, which is 10-5 after a loss on Saturday to Mount Marty College.
Midland mustered just 14 points in the first half, as the Tigers were relentless on defense. DWU led 32-14 at the break, shooting 50 percent from the field. DWU cooled off in the second half, but the defense remained stifling, leading the Tigers to the win.
DWU was balanced on offense, with junior forward Erica Herrold (Dimock, S.D.) finishing as the lone Tiger in double figures. Herrold poured in 16 points, while adding a pair of blocks. Sophomore forward Ashley Bray (Anoka, Minn.) scored all nine of her points in the first half and just missed a double-double with 10 rebounds.
Sophomore forward Amber Bray (Anoka, Minn.) added eight points and eight rebounds, while junior forward Kristin Sabers (Mitchell, S.D.) chipped in with seven points and five rebounds. Freshman point guard Rylie Osthus (De Smet, S.D.) finished with a game-high five assists to go along with five rebounds.
The Tigers shot 22-of-58 from the field, 6-of-15 from deep and 11-of-15 from the line. DWU dominated the boards, outrebounding Midland 42-25, including 13 offensive boards for the Tigers.
Midland was led by Joelle Overkamp with a game-high 18 points to go along with seven rebounds. The Warriors shot 13-of-15 from the field and 3-of-18 from behind the 3-point line.
The Tigers look to continue their winning ways with a crucial matchup against Mount Marty at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Yankton, S.D. The Lancers knocked off No. 1 Morningside College and No. 6 Concordia University last week and are just one game behind the three teams, including DWU, tied for third place. The Tigers topped Mount Marty 72-47 earlier this season at the Corn Palace.
