MITCHELL, S.D. – It was a stifling defense that held Mount Marty College scoreless in the second quarter and to just 23.6% shooting from the field in the game, that lifted the No. 13 Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team over MMC, 73-40 in a Great Plains Athletic Conference battle Wednesday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell.
The first quarter was close as Sarah Carr (Huron, S.D.) nailed a 3-pointer to give DWU an early 11-6 lead. But the Lancers (5-4, 1-4 GPAC) responded with a 3-pointer of their own to pull back within two points. After tying the game with a pair of free throws, MMC took its' first lead of the game on a layup with 2:51 left in the period.
Less than a minute later, the Lancers took a 16-13 lead. However, this was as large as their lead grew as Kynedi Cheeseman (Alexandria, S.D.) made a layup and free throw after being fouled to tie the game. Carr knocked down a jump shot to give the Tigers (8-2, 3-2 GPAC) an 18-16 lead after one quarter.
The second period was all DWU as the Tigers went on a 19-0 run. Cheeseman and Jessica Mieras (Sioux Falls, S.D.) kicked off the scoring with a layup each. In the quarter, the Tigers forced three turnovers and recorded 13 rebounds as they took a 37-16 lead to halftime.
After DWU built on its' lead, the Lancers cut the lead down to 19 points. But Carr answered with a 3-pointer to push the lead back to over 20 points. With under 30 seconds to play in the third period, Carr was fouled on a 3-point attempt. She made all three ensuing free throws to give the Tigers a 53-31 lead heading to the fourth quarter.
Makaela Karst (Plankinton, S.D.), Carr and Cheeseman knocked down 3-point baskets to begin the period and give DWU a 33-point advantage.
With 6:40 to play, Cheeseman was fouled on a layup as she made the basket. She made her free throw to give the Tigers their largest lead of the night at 37 points as the Tigers cruised to their fourth-straight victory.
Cheeseman moved into fourth on the program's all-time scoring list as she surpassed Ashley Bray. Cheeseman collected 26 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals in the game. Carr was not far behind as she tallied 25 points and six rebounds, as Kaylee Kirk (Balaton, Minn.) led the team with nine rebounds, five assists and three steals.
DWU shot 41.4% from the field and 33.3% from 3-point range, while holding the Lancers to 23.6% from the field and 12.5% shooting from beyond the arc. The Tigers forced 16 turnovers that led the 21 points.
The Tigers travel to take on No. 1 Concordia University for a GPAC tilt at 2 p.m. Saturday in Seward, Neb.
