No. 12 Tigers rout Flames in GPAC contest

OMAHA, Neb. – Thanks to a 37-3 run from midway through the second quarter to midway through the third period, the No. 12 Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team handled the College of Saint Mary Flames in Great Plains Athletic Conference action, 80-56 Saturday in Omaha, Neb.

 The Tigers (15-7, 8-6 GPAC) jumped out to a 9-0 lead just three minutes into the game, thanks to a 3-pointer by Kynedi Cheeseman (Alexandria, S.D.), forcing a CSM timeout.

 After the timeout, the Flames (5-17, 2-13 GPAC) went on an 8-2 run to pull within three points. Haylee Mork (Aberdeen, S.D.) ended the run with a 3-point basket midway through the first period.

 After Makaela Karst (Plankinton, S.D.) made a basket to push the DWU advantage to six points, the Flames responded to take the lead moments later. CSM put together an 8-0 run to hold a 23-21 lead after a made shot from beyond the arc.

 However, DWU answered with a Cheeseman 3-pointer to kickstart a massive run throughout the remainder of the first half. The Tigers finished the half on a 25-1 scoring run to balloon their lead to 22 points. Throughout the run, four 3-pointers by Cheeseman helped maintain the fast-paced scoring for DWU.

 The Tigers began the second half just how the ended the first half, with a 3-pointer by Mork and a made shot by Kaylee Kirk (Balaton, Minn.).

 The Flames scored their first field goal since their 23-21 lead with 4:41 left to play in the third period. However, the Tigers continued to score as Karst and Matti Reiner (Tripp, S.D.) each made baskets to end the third quarter.

 DWU cruised to victory through the fourth quarter as Kelsey Valencia (Atwater, Calif.) knocked down a 3-pointer, followed by a Payton Morgan (Mitchell, S.D.) basket to finish the game.

 Cheeseman led the team with 21 points on 5-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc, along with six rebounds, four steals and three assists. Karst added 18 points, six rebounds and five assists, as Mork finished with 11 points and five rebounds.

 DWU shot 47% from the field, as they held CSM to just 35.7% shooting from the field. The Tigers outrebounded the Flames 41-27 and scored 19 points off turnovers. 

 The Tigers welcome (RV) University of Jamestown for a GPAC battle at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Corn Palace.