YANKTON, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team did everything but make shots in a loss to Great Plains Athletic Conference rival Mount Marty College Wednesday in Yankton, S.D.
The No. 15 Tigers shot 30.5 percent from the field and despite a strong effort on defense, the Lancers (RV) held on late to down DWU 60-52.
The loss creates an even larger jam at the top of the GPAC, as DWU and MMC are now tied for fifth at 9-6 in the conference. No. 7 Concordia University lost Wednesday and sits just a half game ahead of DWU and MMC in fourth at 10-6, while No. 12 Briar Cliff University and No. 13 Hastings College are now tied for second at 10-5 heading into the weekend.
The Tigers led 15-13 after the first quarter, but DWU went cold the rest of the first half, scoring just eight points in the second. The Lancers led by seven at the break and built on that advantage early in the third. The Lancers held a 14-point lead late in the third quarter and thwarted several rallies by DWU.
DWU cut the deficit to four points in the final minutes, but ultimately could not overcome its shooting woes.
With most of the team struggling, freshman point guard Rylie Osthus (De SMet, S.D.) led the way for DWU with 19 points. She made two 3-pointers, was 7-of-7 from the line and grabbed seven rebounds as the lone Tiger in double figures.
Sophomore Ashley Bray (Anoka, Minn.) scored eight points, while junior Kristin Sabers (Mitchell, S.D.) finished with six points and eight rebounds off the bench. Sophomore Amber Bray (Anoka, Minn.) chipped in with six points and six boards.
DWU shot 18-of-59 from the field, 4-of-21 from deep and 12-of-14 from the line.
Alex Kneeland was the story for MMC, with a game-high 27 points. She was 10-of-10 from the line and hit three 3-pointers. The Lancers did not shoot any better from the field, hitting 18-of-58 from the floor and 6-of-28 from deep. MMC won the rebounding battle 42-40.
The Tigers (16-6, 9-6 GPAC) are staring down an important game as the stretch run approaches in the GPAC. DWU heads south to take on Doane College at 2 p.m. Saturday in Crete, Neb.