MITCHELL, S.D. – In only her junior season, forward Erica Herrold has etched her name among the greats to play women's basketball for Dakota Wesleyan University in a lopsided victory over Great Plains Athletic Conference foe Dordt College Wednesday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.
The No. 16 Tigers continued their climb back to the top of the GPAC standings with an 80-57 win over the Defenders. With a loss by No. 9 Briar Cliff University, DWU moved into a three-way tie for third place in the GPAC with the Chargers and No. 12 Concordia University. The Tigers are 18-6 overall and 11-6 in the GPAC.
The game started strong for Herrold, who came into the contest just eight points shy of 1,000. She quickly posted six and with a 3-pointer late in the first quarter, the Dimock, S.D., native became the 21st women's basketball player at DWU to cross the threshold.
DWU led by 14 points after the first quarter, as Herrold led the way with 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting. After taking a 38-26 lead into the break, DWU piled on in the third with Herrold and sophomore forward Ashley Bray (Anoka, Minn.) taking over inside to help put the game out of reach.
The win saw a return to form for three-time GPAC Player-of-the-Week Kristin Sabers (Mitchell, S.D.). After several uncharacteristically low-scoring performances, Sabers broke out for 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting, while adding two 3-pointers and six assists.
Bray posted a game-high 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while Herrold finished her milestone evening with 18 points and five rebounds.
The Tigers shot 30-of-54 from the field, 6-of-15 from deep and 14-of-20 at the line. DWU was outrebounded 28-25.
Dordt was led by Mycah Hulst and Cassidy Vredevoogd, each scoring 12 points, while Jamie Gesink added 11 points. The Defenders shot 24-of-56 from the field, 2-of-11 from behind the 3-point line and 7-of-10 from the free-throw line.
DWU continues GPAC play against Nebraska Wesleyan University at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Corn Palace.
