MIITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball program, looking to win its fifth-straight game, upended conference challenger Doane University, 76-65, on Saturday from the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D. Career-highs from sophomore duo Aspen Hansen and Isabel Ihnen helped Dakota Wesleyan overcome a sluggish start, and DWU ultimately pulled away late in the second half for the double-digit victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Out of the gate, the Tigers of Doane (6-5, 1-5 GPAC) controlled the momentum in the first period racing out to a 10-5 lead. DOA extended the advantage to double digits before a 3-pointer from Britney Lovre and an ensuing layup by Matti Reiner to halt the Doane run.
DWU, however, closed the first frame on an 11-3 run and possessed a narrow, 19-18, lead at the end of the first quarter. A five-point swing by Ihnen, who scored a career-high 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting, helped spur the Tiger (8-2, 3-2 GPAC) bolt.
Hansen, who also finished with a career-high in scoring with 19 points, converted a layup followed by a block from senior Natalie Gottlob midway through the second quarter, and the Blue and Gray maintained an eight-point lead, 31-23. Hansen finished the game knocking down 8-of-12 shot attempts and also collected seven rebounds.
Doane responded by trimming the lead to five points late in the period, yet Dakota Wesleyan boasted a 41-29 lead at halftime, outscoring its conference foe 22-11 in the stanza.
The Tigers of Doane once again cut the deficit to single digits to begin the second half before an old-fashioned 3-point play from Hansen pushed the DWU lead back to double figures, 47-36. Senior Jada Campbell ensued with a steal while Rynn Osthus, who tallied 10 points, knocked down a layup in transition.
Still maintaining the momentum, DWU carried a 58-48 lead into the final 10 minutes of action.
DOA attempted one final run at a comeback, yet consecutive baskets from Osthus and a triple from Reiner off the pass from Kaylee Kirk carried Dakota Wesleyan to a 72-57 edge midway through the fourth quarter. DWU, though narrowly outscoring Doane 18-17 in the final stanza, secured the 76-65 win for its fifth-straight victory.
Four Tigers ended the day in double figures led by Hansen and Ihnen while Reiner chipped in 13 points, six rebounds and four assists. Kirk, meanwhile paced Dakota Wesleyan in both rebounds and steals with eight and five, respectively. As a unit, DWU forced 13 Doane turnovers and collected eight steals.
UP NEXT
Dakota Wesleyan concludes its three-game homestand with a matchup versus non-conference opponent Bellevue University at 6 p.m. on Wednesday from the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.
