MITCHELL, S.D. - The Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team toppled non-conference challenger Bellevue University, 87-50, as head coach Jason Christensen and company led from start to finish on Wednesday night from the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D. Four players reached double figures, and Dakota Wesleyan notched its sixth-straight win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Junior forward Matti Reiner and the Tigers (9-2, 3-2) raced out to an 11-3 lead halfway through the opening quarter and never looked back for the remainder of the contest. Reiner propelled the Blue and Gray quick start with a field goal and a block on the defensive end of the court as the 5-foot-10 Tiger finished with 14 points and four rebounds. Britney Lovre followed with a 3-pointer off an assist from Kaylee Kirk while DWU built the eight-point lead.
The Dakota Wesleyan advantage reached double figures at the end of the first frame, 19-8, as Rynn Osthus converted a layup after collecting a defensive rebound. Though, not before a pair of free throws from Kirk along with a finish at the rim by DWU freshman Lacey Sprakel. Kirk finished the night with a team-high in both assists and steals with eight and four, respectively while Osthus tallied 12 points and six rebounds.
Kirk and the Tigers scored eight of the first 11 points to start the second period and constructed a 20-point, 33-13, edge midway through the quarter. Reiner finished off an offensive rebound followed by an ensuing basket by Jada Campbell, who led all scorers with 19 points in the outing. On the glass, Dakota Wesleyan outrebounded the Bruins (4-8, 0-1), 38-27, while the Tigers registered 17 offensive rebounds.
Defensively, Dakota Wesleyan limited Bellevue to eight points once again in the second stanza and the Tigers led, 45-16, at the break.
A pair of layups from Campbell, who finished in double figures for the sixth time this season, kept the DWU advantage steady, 58-30, late in the third period. On the night, Dakota Wesleyan shot 50% from the court and controlled the game, 63-32, entering the final 10 minutes of action.
With the outcome in hand, DWU outscored BU 24-18 in the final stanza thanks to late layups from Osthus and Natalie Gottlob. Gottlob, 1-of-4 Tigers to eclipse double figures with 13 points, finished 5-of-8 shooting and a perfect 3-of-3 from the charity stripe helping DWU run away with the convincing, 78-50, home win.
At the free-throw line, Dakota Wesleyan knocked down 12-of-14 attempts (85.7%) while forcing 17 BU turnovers. The Tigers also dished out 24 assists and registered 10 steals.
UP NEXT
Dakota Wesleyan finishes off the remainder of the year on the road beginning with a pivotal matchup versus conference foe No. 22 Dordt University on Saturday at 2 p.m. from De Witt Gymnasium in Sioux Center, Iowa.