OMAHA, Neb. – The Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team picked up its 20th win of the season for just the second time since 2003-04 with a victory over Grace University Friday in Omaha, Neb.
The No. 16 Tigers were able to get some of their role players some time on the court after opening up an early lead and never looking back in a 67-37 win over the Royals in the final nonconference game of the regular season for DWU. The Tigers are now 20-7 overall as they head into a crucial game in the Great Plains Athletic Conference against the College of Saint Mary Saturday in Omaha.
DWU got strong early performances from junior forward Erica Herrold (Dimock, S.D.) and sophomore forward Ashley Bray (Anoka, Minn.) as the Tigers built a 21-5 lead at the end of the first quarter. The DWU bench took over in the second half, leading the Tigers to a 20th win for the first time since 2012-13.
Bray finished with a game-high 16 points and finished one rebound shy of a double-double for the third straight game, as she grabbed nine boards. Herrold hit three shots from behind the 3-point line, finishing with 15 points, four rebounds and three steals. Junior forward Kristin Sabers (Mitchell, S.D.) added 10 points and three rebounds off the bench for DWU.
The Tigers shot 26-of-63 from the field, 10-of-27 from deep and 5-of-7 from the line. DWU outrebounded Grace 43-32, while finishing with 18 assists and 15 turnovers.
The Royals were led by Karen Orozco with 14 points and four 3-pointers, while the team made just 11-of-47 shots from the field.
DWU looks to seek revenge for a loss earlier this season at the Corn Palace against the College of Saint Mary at 2 p.m. Saturday in Omaha.