SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Racing out to an 8-0 start to begin the game, the Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team never looked back and thumped Valley City State University 67-51 in non-conference action to kick off the NAIA Basketball Classic on Saturday from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. Senior center Jada Campbell helped secure the decisive win behind 18 points, six rebounds and four blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Consecutive field goals by junior forward Matti Reiner to open the first quarter pushed DWU out to an 8-0 lead and forced a Valley City State timeout. Out of the breakage, the Tigers (2-0) built a 10-0 run down the stretch and ended the first period with the 20-10 lead.
VCSU used a pair of made field goals to try and trim the Blue and Gray advantage to start the second quarter, however, junior Rynn Osthus, and Dakota Wesleyan clamped down defensively. A block by Osthus, and ensuing steal by Natalie Gottlob propelled DWU to a 27-14 benefit midway through the second period.
Despite the Tigers extending the lead to 17 points late in the half, the score sat 37-23 in favor of Dakota Wesleyan at the intermission.
DWU held the Vikings (1-1) scoreless for nearly five minutes to begin the second half while the Tiger offense built a 20-point lead in the third quarter. Consecutive made baskets by Reiner and Osthus pushed the score to 43-23.
Osthus, who finished with six points, followed with an assist to Campbell, and DWU enjoyed a thorough 55-34 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
Valley City State outscored the Tigers by a narrow 17-12 advantage in the final frame, however, a pair of free throws and multiple steals in the quarter by Kaylee Kirk sealed the 67-51 Dakota Wesleyan victory.
DWU outrebounded VCSU 50-36 as Gottlob and Aspen Hansen helped pace the Tigers on the glass with seven and five rebounds, respectively. Kirk chipped in three steals and a pair of assists as Dakota Wesleyan tallied 13 assists on 27 made field goals.
UP NEXT
Campbell and Dakota Wesleyan concludes the 2021 NAIA Basketball Classic with another neutral-site matchup versus in-state rival Presentation College at 4 p.m. tomorrow from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.