Defense helps lift Tigers to season-opening win

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – It was a defense that forced 23 turnovers and held Dickinson State University to under 31% shooting in the game that propelled the Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team to a 76-55 victory at the Sanford Pentagon NAIA Basketball Classic Saturday in Sioux Falls, S.D.

 After the Blue Hawks (0-2) took the initial lead, baskets by Jada Campbell (Alexandria, S.D.) and Sydnaya Dunn (Sioux Falls, S.D.) gave DWU its first lead of the game. The Tigers (1-0) used their tough defense to lead into quick offense as freshman Haidyn Pitsch (Prior Lake, Minn.) nailed a 3-point basket to push the lead to 10-2.

 Moments later, another turnover led to another basket from beyond the arc, this time by Korynn Clason (Cambridge, Neb.). The Tiger defense did not allow another point by the Blue Hawks until the four-minute mark of the opening period, leading 13-4.

 With a minute to play in the first quarter, Campbell knocked down another shot to push the Tiger lead to 19-9. DWU held onto the double-digit lead heading to the second period.

 After DSU made a 3-pointer in the opening moments of the quarter, Rynn Osthus (De Smet, S.D.) answered with one of her own to keep the Tigers ahead by 10 points.

 With just three minutes to play in the first half, DWU led by 10 points. However, they finished the half on an 8-4 run highlighted by a Kaylee Kirk (Balaton, Minn.) jumper as time expired to give the Tigers a 39-25 lead at halftime.

 The defense continued to shine in the second half as Campbell swatted a shot attempt away in the opening minute. Another minute later, Haylee Mork (Aberdeen, S.D.) made a 3-pointer to push the lead to 17 points.

 Later in the same quarter it was much of the same as this time Clason blocked a DSU shot attempt as the tough defense continued. The Blue Hawks did not go away quietly as they pulled within 10 points with under a minute to play in the third quarter. However, Pitsch knocked down a floater as time expired to push the lead back to 12 points with 10 minutes to play.

 Campbell snagged a rebound off a missed shot and put it back up for a layup for the first points of the final stanza. Following a Hannah Behrens (Brandon, S.D.) blocked shot, DWU made consecutive baskets en route to a 21-point victory.

 Leading the offense was Pitsch who tallied 18 points and three rebounds in her first collegiate game. Campbell added 14 points and nine rebounds, as Matti Reiner (Tripp, S.D.) recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

 The Tigers take on Presentation College at 4 p.m. tomorrow at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.