OMAHA, Neb. – Thanks to a career high from junior forward Sarah Carr (Huron, S.D.), the No. 1 Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team routed the College of Saint Mary in Great Plains Athletic Conference action Saturday in an 84-55 victory on Saturday in Omaha, Neb.
The Tigers (17-1, 10-1 GPAC) jumped out to an early 9-2 lead following a Kynedi Cheeseman (Alexandria, S.D.) 3-pointer. Later in the opening quarter, Carr gave DWU a double-digit lead following a 3-point shot of her own.
In the second quarter, the Flames (2-16, 1-10 GPAC) began to cut into the DWU lead with a 13-7 run to make it a 28-23 game. However, the Tigers answered with a run of their own with a 13-3 spurt to end the half that was capped off by a Sam Schuh (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) 3-point basket to give DWU a 41-26 lead at halftime.
The Tigers picked up in the second half right where they left off in the first half with a 7-0 run following a Carr jump shot. After being held scoreless for two minutes during the third quarter, Cheeseman ended the scoring draught with a two-point basket.
With the third quarter winding down, Rylie Osthus (De Smet, S.D.) stole the ball and found freshman Sydney Halling (Harrisburg, S.D.) who made a layup to give the Tigers a 23-point lead.
In the final quarter, Halling found Schuh for an easy two-point basket that pushed the DWU lead to 31 points. A minute later, Halling connected on consecutive baskets to give DWU a 33-point lead and helped the Tigers close out the victory.
Carr finished with a career-high 32 points on 6-of-6 shooting from the free-throw line and eight rebounds, while Cheeseman added 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field. Makaela Karst (Plankinton, S.D.) tallied 11 points and five rebounds, as Osthus chipped in six points, seven rebounds and four assists.
DWU shot 58.9 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from 3-point range. The Tigers outrebounded the Flames 34-19, while forcing 21 CSM turnovers.
DWU takes to the road again as they battle No. 13 Dordt College in a GPAC showdown at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Sioux Center, Iowa.