SIOUX CITY, Iowa. – In a game of runs, the No. 2 Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team topped (RV) Briar Cliff University 73-68 in a Great Plains Athletic Conference bout Wednesday in Sioux City, Iowa.
Both teams traded baskets to open the game as the two teams raced up and down the floor to start the game. Makaela Karst (Plankinton, S.D.) tallied the first points of the game for DWU (10-0, 6-0 GPAC).
Briar Cliff (5-4, 2-4 GPAC) raced out of the quarter break with a 7-0 run and took the lead early in the second quarter, 25-24. Sydney Halling (Harrisburg, S.D.) ended the Charger run making both free throws and the Tigers were back out front 26-25.
DWU answered with a run of their own with an 11-0 run highlighted by a Rylie Osthus (De Smet, S.D.) 3-point basket to give the Tigers a 10-point lead midway through the second quarter. The Chargers would not go away, as they fought back within two points after quick buckets.
With seconds remaining in the first half, Madison Mathews (Draper, S.D.) came up with a steal to give the Tigers the ball with 15 seconds remaining in the first half. DWU had two chances but could not get the ball to drop as the Tigers hung onto a 38-37 lead at halftime.
In the third quarter, it was the Tiger defense who made their mark as the Briar Cliff offense struggled. The Tigers would find their way as Mathews (Draper, S.D) tallied a layup and Kynedi Cheeseman (Alexandria, S.D.) nailed a 3-pointer on the next possession to a take a quick 43-37 lead.
Like the first half, the Chargers and Tigers traded offensive runs. Both teams traded baskets but DWU opened up the third quarter after a bucket by Mathews. DWU used the transition game as Carr notched an easy layup off an assist from Kaylee Kirk (Balaton, S.D.). Moments later, Halling collected an easy layup, forcing a Charger timeout with the Tigers leading 57-48.
In the fourth quarter, Carr notched the first three baskets of the quarter as DWU led, 63-51. The Tigers continued the defensive pressure as they used the pressure to score in transition as Karst tallied a layup off an assist from Cheeseman.
The Tigers used defense and rebounding to close out the game, as Mathews and Cheeseman nailed big free throws down the stretch to defeat the Chargers.
The Tigers shot 36 percent from the field and forced 24 turnovers on the Chargers, while scoring 25 points off the Briar Cliff turnovers.
The Tigers will be back on the court to battle Mount Marty College at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Yankton, S.D.