MITCHELL, S.D. – Winners of four straight, the Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball program handled fellow Great Plains Athletic Conference opponent Hastings College,69-42, securing the conference home-opener from the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Neither team found an offensive edge before a six-run swing by Dakota Wesleyan midway through the opening quarter, and the Tigers (7-2,2-2 GPAC) held the 13-6 lead. A layup by Natalie Gottlob along with a steal by Britney Lovre helped the Blue and Gray out to a nine-point, 18-9, advantage. A late Hastings' 3-pointer, though narrowed the deficit to 18-12 after one quarter of play.
Senior Jada Campbell led off the second period with a made field goal near the basket followed by another Tiger steal from Matti Reiner, and Dakota Wesleyan jumped out to a quick 14-point lead. Campbell finished with six points and three steals. Defensively, DWU forced 11 steals while creating 15 turnovers on the night and held the Broncos (6-4, 2-2 GPAC) to 25.5% shooting from the floor.
Consecutive baskets from Reiner and Lovre down the stretch of the first half propelled DWU out to a 32-16 lead as Dakota Wesleyan shot 42.0% from the floor. Yet, HAS closed the first half on an 11-7 run trimming the Tiger advantage to 39-27 at halftime.
Looking to push the momentum to open the second half, back-to-back baskets by Kaylee Kirk and Lacey Sprakel steadied the DWU lead, 47-34, midway through the period. Sophomore guard Isabel Ihnen, meanwhile, helped the Tigers close out the stanza converting near the basket off an assist from Hansen, and Dakota Wesleyan positioned itself in control, 55-36, with 10 minutes remaining.
The Tigers rattled off 10-straight points to begin the fourth quarter before the Broncos halted the run with a free throw and a late triple. However, Dakota Wesleyan remained in control and solidified the conference home-opening win, 69-42, outscoring Hastings 30-15 in the second half.
Reiner led all scorers with a game-high 14 points along with six rebounds while Gottlob also finished in double figures with 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Kirk paved the way with nine rebounds and five assists as DWU held a 17-7 advantage in assists. Dakota Wesleyan also notched 14 offensive rebounds in the contest and outrebounded HAS 46-29 on the glass.
UP NEXT
Head coach Jason Christensen and the Tigers return to the court next versus conference challenger Doane University at 2 p.m. tomorrow from the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.
