MITCHELL, S.D. – After jumping out to a 10-point lead in the first quarter of a Great Plains Athletic Conference match-up, the No. 9 Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team topped Briar Cliff University 69-58 on Wednesday night at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.
The Tigers (16-2, 7-2 GPAC) scampered to a 21-point lead on a Sarah Carr (Huron, S.D.) layup as DWU held its own for most of the first half. However, the Chargers (9-10, 4-6 GPAC) began to slowly crawl back into the game in the third quarter as they gave a strong defensive effort against the Tigers. BCU came within three points with under a minute to play in the third quarter.
Heading into the fourth quarter, senior Erica Herrold (Dimock, S.D.) made her presence known, banking a 3-pointer. Just under a minute later, freshman Kynedi Cheeseman (Alexandria, S.D.) hit a 3-pointer to give DWU a 10-point lead. Finally, back-to-back jumpers by Rylie Osthus (De Smet, S.D.) with under two minutes to play, secured the victory for the Tigers.
Osthus and Herrold finished with 14 points apiece, while Carr tallied 12 points. Ashley Bray (Anoka, Minn.) added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. DWU shot 50 percent from the field, 41 percent from beyond the arc and 72 percent from the free throw line. The Tigers outrebounded the Chargers 37-24.
DWU welcomes the College of Saint Mary for a GPAC battle at 7 p.m. Friday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.
