MITCHELL, S.D. – For the first time in six years as Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball coach, Jason Christensen has a Great Plains Athletic Conference tournament victory, as the No. 10 Tigers topped No. 20 Hastings College for the second time in five days Wednesday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.
DWU managed to outlast the Broncos for the third time in 2015-16 to win 75-67. The Tigers came into the season with just four wins in 34 tries against Hastings, while the latest win moves No. 3 seed DWU on to the GPAC semifinals to take on No. 2 seed and instate rival Mount Marty College. The Lancers edged Northwestern College Wednesday in Yankton, S.D.
The win moves DWU to 24-7 overall as the Tigers continue to strengthen their position heading into the NAIA Division II National Tournament next month in Sioux City, Iowa.
The Tigers used a persistent inside presence to open up their outside shooting. DWU made eight 3-pointers, while four players finished in double figures.
DWU opened up a 19-11 lead in the first quarter as junior forward Erica Herrold (Dimock, S.D.) poured in eight early points. The teams went back and forth in the second quarter, with DWU holding a 42-36 lead at the break. After Hastings cut the DWU lead to four heading to the fourth, sophomore forward Amber Bray (Anoka, Minn.) scored the first four points of the final frame to help DWU pull away. Bray scored 13 points in the fourth.
Bray finished with a game-high 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting, while grabbing seven rebounds as she continues to provide strength on both ends of the court for the Tigers. Herrold poured in 19 points and added nine rebounds to finish just shy of a double-double. Sophomore forward Ashley Bray (Anoka, Minn.) chipped in with 12 points and six rebounds, while freshman Rylie Osthus (De Smet, S.D.) added 11 points, eight rebounds, four steals and three assists.
DWU shot 24-of-57 from the field, 8-of-19 from deep and 19-of-23 from the free-throw line. The Tigers won the rebounding battle 38-30.
Chelsey Morten scored 20 points and hit four 3-pointers to lead Hastings, which shot 24-of-63 from the field, 10-of-25 from deep and 9-of-14 at the line. Hastings will now wait and see if it receives an at-large bid to the NAIA National Tournament after making the Final Four last year.
DWU travels to Mount Marty for a GPAC semifinal matchup at 5 p.m. Saturday in Yankton, S.D.
