FREMONT, Neb. – After falling behind early, the No. 2 Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team used a big second quarter to roll to an 88-59 Great Plains Athletic Conference victory over Midland University Saturday in Fremont, Neb.
The Warriors (3-2, 0-2 GPAC) jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead as the Tigers (5-0. 2-0 GPAC) were held scoreless through the first three minutes of the game. Kaylee Kirk (Balaton, Minn.) broke the scoreless drought with a two-point bucket and DWU cut the Midland lead to five.
A minute later, the Tigers stormed back on a 10-0 run to regain the lead 12-9 late in the first quarter. Both teams traded baskets to end the first quarter, with the Tigers leading 17-16.
DWU raced out to a 15-3 run and held Midland to only three points in the first five minutes of the quarter. The Tigers held a 32-19 lead and went on to outscore the Warriors in the second quarter 26-5. Both teams went to the locker room with the Tigers holding a 43-21 advantage.
DWU once again held an advantage in the opening minutes of the third quarter, as Madison Matthews (Draper, S.D.) nailed a 3-pointer, followed by a Sarah Carr (Huron, S.D.) layup to extend the DWU lead. The Warriors then quickly went on a 7-0 run to cut the DWU lead to 20 points, but Kynedi Cheeseman (Alexandria, S.D.) nailed a 3-point basket to end Midland's run.
The Tigers continued to put the offensive pressure on Midland, as the Tigers shot 53 percent from the field in the second half and 63 percent from the 3-point line to help guide DWU to an 88-59 victory.
Leading the way for the Tigers was Cheeseman who tallied 24 points on 8-of-13 from the field. Sydney Halling (Harrisburg, S.D.) came off the bench pouring in 18 points and seven rebounds, while Makaela Karst (Plankinton, S.D.) netted 11 points and six rebounds in the contest.
DWU will be back at home to battle Dordt College at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell.