MADISON, S.D. – With 38 seconds to play and up by two points, senior Jessica Mieras (Sioux Falls, S.D.) knocked down a shot to double the lead and help secure the victory The No. 14 Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team fended off in-state rival, Dakota State University 87-79 Wednesday night in Madison, S.D.
It was the senior trio of Kynedi Cheeseman (Alexandria, S.D.), Sarah Carr, (Huron, S.D.) and Makaela Karst (Plankinton, S.D.) who scored the opening 18 points for the Tigers (9-3) as they led 18-9.
Freshman Matti Reiner (Tripp, S.D.) joined the 3-point barrage with 1:37 left in the opening quarter. She scored the final basket of the period as well for DWU to put them up 32-23 after one.
Kaylee Kirk (Balaton, Minn.) kicked off the second stanza with a 3-pointer to help extend the Tiger lead. With the Tigers up by 12, the freshman duo of Rynn Osthus (De Smet, S.D.) and Reiner scored baskets to push the lead up to 16 points.
The Trojans (2-7) connected on a basket with under 30 seconds to play to cut into the Tiger lead, as DWU led 54-40 at halftime.
Carr made consecutive baskets to begin the second half to keep the lead at double digits. With 6:13 left in the third quarter, Carr knocked down a 3-pointer to push the Tiger lead to 18 points. Carr answered the call again with 20 seconds to play in the quarter as she made a jumper to give the Tigers a 70-56 lead with one quarter to play.
The Trojans began the final period on a 9-0 run to cut into the DWU lead, forcing a timeout. Carr put an end to the run with a basket to help the Tigers hold a seven-point lead.
Cheeseman followed up with consecutive baskets to push the lead back to double digits with five minutes to play. But the Trojans went on a 12-2 run over the next four minutes to pull within two points. A Mieras shot and four free throws down the stretch helped DWU secure the road victory.
Cheeseman paced the team with 31 points on 11-of-24 shooting from the floor, while Karst added 10 points, nine rebounds and four assists. DWU shot 43.5% from the field and outrebounded the Trojans, 46-40.
The Tigers return home to battle Doane University at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Corn Palace.