Tough defense leads No. 12 DWU past (RV) Jimmies

MITCHELL, S.D. – After forcing 18 turnovers and scoring 21 points off those turnovers, the No. 12 Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team downed (RV) University of Jamestown in a Great Plains Athletic Conference bout, 69-57 Wednesday at the Corn Palace.

 It was a quick start by DWU as Sarah Carr (Huron, S.D.) scored the opening bucket, and Jessica Mieras (Sioux Falls, S.D.) added another basket and a 3-pointer moments later.

 After UJ pulled within three points, Makaela Karst (Plankinton, S.D.) scored five-straight points to extend the lead to eight points. The Jimmies (13-9, 7-8 GPAC) kept pace with DWU down the stretch of the opening period as the scoreline read 20-13 after one quarter, in the favor of DWU.

 Carr opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer, followed by a Kynedi Cheeseman (Alexandria, S.D.) basket and a pair of Karst free throws to build the lead to 14 points.

 With under two minutes to play in the half, Karst made a jump shot to push the Tiger (16-7, 9-6 GPAC) lead to 14 points. UJ scored two more times as DWU added two points before halftime as DWU held onto a 34-22 lead at intermission.

 The Jimmies opened the third quarter on a 10-4 run over the first four minutes. After a Carr layup, the Jimmies added 10-1 run to take their first lead of the game.

 Rynn Osthus (De Smet, S.D.) put an end to the run with a free throw and a 3-point basket to give the Tigers a five-point advantage. UJ notched a pair of free throws to end the third period as DWU led by five points.

 After two minutes into the final period, Kaylee Kirk (Balaton, Minn.) stole the ball, as Carr pitched it to Cheeseman who scored a layup and was fouled. She made her ensuing free throw to give the Tigers a nine-point cushion.

 With under four minutes to play, UJ pulled within seven points, but that was as close as they would get as the Tigers finished on a 9-4 run to end the game.

 Karst led the team with 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field to go along with seven rebounds. Cheeseman notched 18 points, five assists and five rebounds. Carr chipped in 12 points, as she now sits tied for seventh in program scoring history with Erica Herrold with 1,618 career points.

 The Tigers host No. 3 Concordia University for a top-15 GPAC matchup at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Corn Palace.