Women’s basketball clipped by Jimmies in season finale

MITCHELL, S.D. –  Despite trailing by just two points at halftime, the Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team suffered a 75-69 loss versus University of Jamestown in Great Plains Athletic Conference action on Saturday from the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.

 After a brief 4-2 lead, Dakota Wesleyan faced a 10-6 margin midway through the first quarter. Kaylee Kirk (Balaton, Minn.), who finished with eight points, scored consecutive baskets to jumpstart the DWU offense. Minutes later, Natalie Gottlob (Salem, S.D.) converted a basket off an assist from Haylee Mork (Aberdeen, S.D.)

 The Jimmies (15-10, 12-10 GPAC) pushed their lead to six points at the conclusion of the first period as the score sat 17-11. Kirk converted a pair of free-throws from the charity stripe to keep Dakota Wesleyan within striking distance.  Rynn Osthus (De Smet, S.D.) followed as she drained a 3-pointer off a pass from Mya Wilson (Sioux Falls, S.D.) to close out the frame.

 DWU shifted the momentum to start the second quarter as the Tigers (14-10, 12-10 GPAC) scored the first five points of the period. Matti Reiner (Tripp, S.D.), who finished 9-of-18 from the floor, knocked down a 3-pointer off an assist from Kirk. On the ensuing possession, Jada Campbell (Alexandria, S.D.) finished a layup off of a pass from Haidyn Pitsch (Prior Lake, Minn.) as Dakota Wesleyan dished out 13 assists.

 After DWU evened the score at 23-23 with 4:54 remaining in the second frame, UJ outscored the Tigers 7-5 down the stretch and possessed a 30-28 lead at halftime. Pitsch, who tallied nine points and three assists, knocked down a jumper in the lane. With under a minute remaining, Mork drilled a 3-pointer off a pass from Osthus, 1-of-6 3-pointers for Dakota Wesleyan in the game.

 Jamestown stretched its lead to seven, 41-34 in the third quarter, though, DWU trimmed the lead to one midway through the stanza. Campbell knocked down a pair of free throws followed by a block and rebound on the defensive end of the court by Osthus. Reiner continued the momentum with back-to-back field goals and the Blue and Gray trailed 42-41.

 Gottlob then tallied four-straight points for the Tigers and Dakota Wesleyan took a brief 44-41 lead. However, the Jimmies closed on a 11-3 run to close out the third period and led 52-47.

DWU trimmed the Jamestown lead once again, this time to two points in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. Reiner scored on consecutive possessions then assisted Campbell who recorded a jumper near the rim. Campbell answered with another block for Dakota Wesleyan on the defensive end of the floor, which kept the score at 55-53.

 Jamestown responded with a 9-2 run, however, and controlled a 64-55 lead with 5:21 remaining. DWU narrowed the deficit to six points multiple times down the stretch, though, UJ held on for the 75-69 victory.

 Reiner led the Tigers in scoring as she matched a career-high with 21 points along with nine rebounds and four steals. Campbell finished 5-of-9 from the floor and chipped in 12 points and six rebounds. Dakota Wesleyan finished 9-of-12 from the free-throw line and collected 34 rebounds.

 DWU faces Concordia University at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in the opening round of the Great Plains Athletic Conference tournament in Seward, Neb.