WINFIELD, Kan. – It was all No. 8 Dakota Wesleyan University on Friday night. Jumping out to an 18-point lead early in the first quarter, the Tigers cruised to a 101-66 victory over Southwestern College in the Tara Patterson Memorial Classic in Winfield, Kan.
Sarah Carr (Huron, S.D.) gave the Tigers the edge in the first quarter off a layup, leading to an 18-point lead heading into the second quarter. DWU would go on to increase its lead later in the quarter, thanks to a 3-pointer from Amber Bray (Anoka, Minn.). Leading by as much as 27 points, Southwestern crawled back to an 18-point lead heading into the locker room.
The Tiger offense took off in the third quarter. Madison Mathews (Draper, S.D.) sank a 3-pointer to give DWU a 32-point lead with 1:47 to play in the quarter. Along with solid offense, the Tiger defense was just as strong, holding the Moundbuilders (0-2) to 21 points in the quarter.
A 30-point lead sealed the victory for the Tigers in the fourth quarter, leading by as much as 36 points. Mikaela Stofferahn (Dell Rapids, S.D.) tallied six points in one minute to keep the Moundbuilders at bay.
Jessica Mieras (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Kynedi Cheeseman (Alexandria, S.D.) recorded 17 points each, while Ashley Bray (Anoka, Minn.) added 13 points and seven assists. Rylie Osthus (De Smet, S.D.) tallied 12 points, six rebounds and two assists. The Tigers shot 57 percent and outrebounded Southwestern 39-29.
DWU (4-0) takes on Friends University at 5 p.m. Saturday in Winfield, Kan.