OMAHA, Neb. – Four different players finished in double figures and the Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team earned a 74-63 victory over conference foe College of Saint Mary on Sunday from Lied Fitness Center in Omaha, Neb.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Neither team created a sizable advantage in the first quarter as the lead continued to flip-flop. Isabel Ihnen who finished with nine points, knocked down a 3-pointer off an assist from fellow Dakota Wesleyan sophomore Aspen Hansen and DWU controlled the one-point, 9-8, advantage midway through the frame.
After consecutive layups from Kaylee Kirk and Jada Campbell, the Flames (7-2, 1-2 GPAC) embarked on a 12-2 run to close out the opening period and held a slight 20-16 control.
Defensively, the Tigers (4-2, 1-2 GPAC) bounced back in the second frame limiting CSM to 12 points while the offense reclaimed the momentum. Natalie Gottlob tallied back-to-back field goals followed by 1-of-6 steals from Kirk giving Dakota Wesleyan a 26-23 lead with under seven minutes to play.
Late in the period a pair of jump shots from junior forward Matti Reiner pushed the Blue and Gray advantage to a then game-high nine points, 35-26. Despite the offensive push late in the half, College of Saint Mary answered with multiple 3-pointers as the score sat in favor of DWU, 35-32, at the intermission.
Both teams once again exchanged the lead to begin the third quarter regardless of a layup from Gottlob who scored a season-high 13 points. Fellow Tiger senior Campbell helped DWU to a seven-point edge, 44-37, midway through the quarter with multiple baskets. In spite of the offensive swing, College of Saint Mary scored seven-straight points down the stretch and the Tigers clung to a 51-47 lead entering the final 10 minutes of action.
Free throws from Reiner fueled DWU offensively early in the fourth frame as Dakota Wesleyan converted 26 free throws on the afternoon. Looking to close out the game, assists from Reiner and Kirk pushed the score to 60-51 midway through the final period as the Flames were forced to burn a timeout.
Out of the break, CSM responded with a 9-4 swing lasting nearly four minutes and College of Saint Mary hoped to retake the momentum. Yet, DWU closed the gap finishing the day on a 10-3 stretch to secure the 74-63 road victory.
Kirk and Campbell paved the way with a team-high 18 points each while Reiner added 16 points. DWU forced the Flames into 22 turnovers while securing 10 streals.
UP NEXT
Dakota Wesleyan takes the court next in non-conference action squaring off against a pair of NCAA teams in Hawaii beginning with University of Hawaii at Hilo at (6 p.m.) CT on Tuesday from Hilo, Hawaii.