Hot start aids No. 13 DWU in road rout over Doane

CRETE, Neb. – Thanks to a perfect 16-of-16 shooting from the free-throw line and a defense that didn't allow 20 points in a quarter, the No. 13 Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team cruised past Doane University, 84-48 in a Great Plains Athletic Conference battle Saturday in Crete, Neb.

 It was all DWU early as the Tigers jumped out to an early 9-0 lead in the opening minutes of the game. After Doane notched a pair of free throws, DWU (20-8, 13-7 GPAC) went on another 14-0 run that included a Sarah Carr (Huron, S.D.) and Jessica Mieras 3-pointer to hold a 22-2 lead.

 Doane (2-23, 1-19 GPAC) notched its' first field goal of the game near the five-minute mark. However, Kynedi Cheeseman (Alexandria, S.D.) answered with a 3-pointer to score the final basket of the quarter.

 Kaylee Kirk (Balaton, Minn.) and Makaela Karst (Plankinton, S.D.) scored six-straight points to open the second period before Doane scored.

 With under four minutes to play in the quarter, Karst knocked down a 3-pointer to help cushion the lead. A few minutes later, Cheeseman made a layup and was fouled as she made the ensuing free throw. Despite a Doane 3-pointer to end the half, DWU held a 43-18 advantage after one half.

 Cheeseman opened the second half with a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 28 points. However, Doane scored seven points in the opening three minutes.

 Seven-straight points by Cheeseman helped DWU regain a 28-point advantage. Carr and Mieras added a basket each in the final moments of the third period to help DWU hold a 63-37 lead.

 The senior trio of Cheeseman, Carr and Karst began the final quarter on a 9-2 run with free throws and 3-pointers. With under five minutes to play, Grace Imbery (Aberdeen, S.D.) made a layup, as Megan Poyer (Woonsocket, S.D.) nailed a 3-pointer to cap off the road victory.

 With 17 points, Carr moved into fifth on the DWU women's basketball all-time scoring list as she now has 1,691 career points. Cheeseman led the team with 29 points and four assists, while Karst tallied 15 points and seven rebounds.

 DWU shot 45.3% from the field and held Doane to 33.3% from the field. The Tigers of DWU outrebounded Doane 42-28 and scored 36 points in the paint.

 The Tigers battle (RV) Northwestern College at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Corn Palace for the final home game of the regular season.