Hot start and balanced scoring helps DWU knock off Concordia

MITCHELL, S.D. – Racing out to 27 first quarter points, the Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team knocked off Concordia University 85-80 on Wednesday in Great Plains Athletic Conference play from the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.

 Matti Reiner (Tripp, S.D.) recorded six points in the early going as both teams started fast in the first quarter. A converted jumper by Reiner off the assist from Haidyn Pitsch (Prior Lake, Minn.) forced Concordia to burn a timeout midway through the opening stanza trailing 10-8.

 Out of the break, Dakota Wesleyan rolled to a 15-4 run thanks to a barrage of 3-pointers, including makes from Pitsch and Isabel Ihnen (Lennox, S.D.). Despite the Bulldogs (10-6, 9-4 GPAC) ending the run, DWU controlled a 27-18 lead heading into the second frame.

 The Tigers (7-5, 5-5 GPAC) fast start continued into the second quarter as a pair of baskets by Kaylee Kirk (Balaton, Minn.) held the DWU advantage at nine, 31-22 at the 8:33 mark.

 Another made 3-pointer by Pitsch, one-of-four makes from behind the arch, ignited another Dakota Wesleyan run as the Tigers scored 10 unanswered points forcing another CUNE timeout at the 4:57 mark. An offensive board by Natalie Gottlob (Salem, S.D.) and a block underneath by Sydnaya Dunn (Sioux Falls, S.D.) continued the run and DWU held a 42-22 advantage.

 Though, the Bulldogs responded narrowing the Tiger lead late in the quarter 43-35. Pitsch scored five straight heading into halftime propelling the Blue and Gray to 48-37 lead at the intermission.

 Converting a layup underneath, Jada Campbell (Alexandria, S.D.), off the assist from Reiner, gave DWU a nine-point lead, 52-43 early in the third quarter. Concordia responded on an 8-1 run forcing Dakota Wesleyan to burn a timeout of its own clinging to a 53-51 lead midway through the period.

 The Tigers held a four-point advantage at the end of the third quarter as both teams exchanged scoring efforts. A pair of 3-pointers by Ihnen, including a triple off the assist from Pitsch with under a minute to play in the period, brought the score to 65-61.

 A pair of free throws by Reiner matched with an offensive put back by Campbell pushed the DWU lead to six, 71-65 midway through the quarter. The Bulldogs pulled to within three multiple times down the stretch, however the Tigers held strong thanks to stout rebounding and solid free-throw shooting.

 Finishing 15 for 21 from the line, DWU converted five of its final six attempts from the charity line holding on for the 85-80 upset victory over Concordia.

 Balanced scoring led four Tigers to double figures including a career-high 25 points from Pitsch. Reiner chipped in 17 points and eight boards while Kirk tallied a season-high 13 points along with seven rebounds and four assists. Ihnen also reached double figures with a career-high 14 points on four made 3-pointers as Dakota Wesleyan shot 52.2% from the field.

 DWU hits the road once again to face Midland University at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Fremont, Neb.