MITCHELL, S.D. – Behind a 21-11 third quarter the Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team earned a convincing 77-59 victory over Doane University in Great Plains Athletic Conference play Sunday afternoon from the Corn Palace.
The Tigers (3-1, 1-1 GPAC) of Dakota Wesleyan jumped out to an early 7-2 lead. Kaylee Kirk (Balaton, Minn.) converted a jump shot off an assist from Jada Campbell (Alexandria, S.D.). Moments later, Matti Reiner (Tripp, S.D.) collected a defensive rebound and made a 3-pointer off another Tiger assist from Haylee Mork (Aberdeen, S.D.).
DWU extended its lead to 10 points late in the opening quarter, finishing the period with a 20-12 advantage. An easy finish by Campbell in the lane off a Reiner assist helped extend the margin.
Midway through the second quarter, Dakota Wesleyan garnered a 15-point advantage with a 32-17 lead. Multiple assists by Haidyn Pitsch (Prior Lake, Minn.) along with a 3-point basket by Mork pushed the DWU momentum. However, the Tigers of Doane (3-6, 1-5 GPAC) finished the half on a 14-9 run as Dakota Wesleyan carried a 41-31 margin into the locker room.
Both teams exchanged buckets for a majority of the third quarter giving DWU a 53-42 lead with 3:30 remaining. A 3-pointer by Rynn Osthus (De Smet, S.D.) off an assist from Isabel Ihnen (Lennox, S.D.), one-of-nine triples for Dakota Wesleyan in the game, sparked a 9-0 run to close out the period. The Tigers of DWU entered the final quarter of action with a 62-42 advantage.
The fourth quarter saw multiple assists by Kirk, including a pass to Pitsch who cut to the basket for an easy layup, giving Dakota Wesleyan a 70-47 lead. Later in the period a jumper by Reiner off the assist from Abbigail Magnuson (Buxton, N.D.) helped DWU reach its largest lead of the game, 73-46. The Tigers of DWU ran out the remainder of the clock culminating the 77-59 win.
Four Tigers finished in double figures as Pitsch led the charge with 17 points and four rebounds. Reiner also helped secure the victory tallying 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Dakota Wesleyan forced 17 Doane turnovers while dishing out 21 assists on 37.5% shooting from the field.
The Blue and Gray return to action as they take on Northwestern College at 6 p.m. Wednesday evening from the Corn Palace.
