DWU survives late charge, knocks off Briar Cliff on the road

Sioux City, Iowa – The Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team countered a late surge versus conference foe Briar Cliff University and held on for a 74-68 road victory on Wednesday at the Newman Flanagan Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

 Jada Campbell (Alexandria, S.D.) scored the first six points for Dakota Wesleyan and helped push DWU out to a one-point lead midway through the opening quarter, 13-12. A 3-pointer by Mya Wilson (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and a finish in the lane by Kaylee Kirk (Balaton, Minn.) also guided DWU to the early advantage.

With the quick start, Dakota Wesleyan controlled a 24-21 lead at the end of the first period. Kirk, who finished with ten points on the night, nailed a 3-pointer late in the shot clock along with a finish in the paint by Natalie Gottlob (Salem, S.D.) to end the first quarter. The Tigers (12-6, 10-6 GPAC) finished the opening frame 11-of-14 from the field including a perfect 2-of-2 from behind the arch.

 The Blue and Gray extended its lead to 34-27 at the 5:55 mark in the second quarter. Wilson and Rynn Osthus (De Smet, S.D.) continued the hot shooing for the Tigers as they both knocked down 3-pointers to lengthen the DWU lead. Moments later, Matti Reiner (Tripp, S.D.) connected with Gottlob who converted a mid-range jumper.

 However, the Chargers (13-8, 11-7 GPAC) marched back to keep the game within reach at halftime as DWU possessed a 42-39 advantage. A pair of free throws and a late jumper by Reiner off the assist from Haidyn Pitsch (Prior Lake, Minn.) guided the Tigers to the three-point lead. 

 Dakota Wesleyan jumped out to five-straight points and a 47-39 lead to start the third quarter. Campbell found the basket off an assist from Osthus followed by a 3-pointer by Pitsch off the pass from Reiner.

 After Briar Cliff trimmed the margin to 50-44 midway through the third stanza, Dakota Wesleyan constructed its largest lead of the game at 59-46 with 1:39 remaining in the period. Five-straight points by Pitsch followed by a pair of free throws by Gottlob directed DWU to the 13-point lead and a 59-50 lead as the game entered the final quarter of action.

 BCU scored nine unanswered points to begin the fourth quarter as the game was knotted at 59-59 with 6:28 remaining. Though, a steal and layup by Reiner off the assist from Osthus redirected the momentum and propelled Dakota Wesleyan to a 64-61 lead at the 4:41 mark.

 The Tigers closed down the stretch as a late steal and pair of free throws by Kirk denied any chance at a comeback by the Chargers. DWU held on for the 74-68 road victory and five Tigers reached double figures.

 Offensively, Pitsch led the way with 17 points as she finished 6-of-13 from the field along with two rebounds and three assists. Reiner collected a team-high six rebounds to go with 13 points while Campbell tallied 14 points, including 10 in the first half. The Tigers held Briar Cliff to 39.0% from the field and secured 20 rebounds.

 Dakota Wesleyan remains on the road versus Hastings College at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Hastings, Neb.