DICKINSON, N.D. – In its third game in four days, the Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team outran non-conference opponent Dickinson State University in convincing fashion, 79-58, thanks to a 34-16 performance in the second half on Saturday afternoon from Scott Gymnasium in Dickinson, N.D. Dakota Wesleyan, with the road win, secures the season sweep of Dickinson State and concludes its non-conference slate with a perfect 8-0 record.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Neither team was able to create a comfortable lead in the opening quarter as the score sat neck-to-neck and both teams exchanged baskets. Isabel Ihnen granted Dakota Wesleyan a brief lead early in the first period, 10-8, as she converted an offensive rebound. The guard from Lennox, S.D. scored nine points and notched nine rebounds, yet Dickinson matched the score at 13-13 with 5:10 remaining.
Matti Reiner and Jada Campbell knocked down consecutive field goals after a DSU turnover as the Tigers (12-2) maintained a narrow, 17-13, advantage and looked to create some breathing room. Unphased, the Blue Hawks (2-14) closed the frame with a 10-5 run and led 23-22.
The offensive slugfest continued into the second quarter after a putback by Lacey Sprakel along with a jumper from Rynn Osthus off the pass from Reiner. Osthus ended the day with a double-double on 11 points and 12 rebounds, and the Blue and Gray controlled a slight edge, 35-33, midway through the second stanza.
Dakota Wesleyan extended its lead momentarily to five points, 45-40, after field goals from Ihnen and Aspen Hansen. Hansen, 1-of-3 Tigers to reach double figures with 10 points, helped spark the momentum as she finished 4-of-8 from the field. Regardless, the deficit was cut to three points at halftime, and DWU held the slim, 45-42, advantage.
The third quarter meanwhile proved to be the deciding factor as senior point guard Kaylee Kirk, and the Tigers constructed a 12-0 push to open the frame. Hansen knocked down a 3-point basket off an assist from Kirk, who finished with a game-high seven assists, which helped spark the offensive outburst and forced a DSU timeout. While Dakota Wesleyan continued the momentum offensively, the DWU defense locked in as well holding DSU scoreless for over eight minutes of action.
Kirk, the Balaton, Minn., native responded out of the break with four points of her own along with multiple steals, and Dakota Wesleyan outscored Dickinson State, 15-5, in the third quarter. Despite multiple baskets from the Blue Hawks with under one minute to play, Dakota Wesleyan possessed a double-digit, 60-47, edge as the game moved into the fourth period.
Natalie Gottlob, and Reiner commenced the final 10 minutes with a pair of made field goals off dishes from Kirk, and DWU looked to put the game away. The four-point swing helped carry Dakota Wesleyan to a then game-high lead, 71-49. Tiger freshman Grace Fryda converted an old-fashioned 3-point basket late to complete the second-half surge and help secure the 79-58 road victory.
Three players finished in double figures for Dakota Wesleyan led by Reiner with a game-high 19 points along with four assists. The Tripp, S.D., native has now reached double figures in 12 outings this season while Kirk chipped in 10 rebounds, nine points and six steals as she continues to fuel the Tigers from all facets of the court. As a unit, DWU outrebounded the Blue Hawks, 51-30, and forced 18 DSU turnovers.
UP NEXT
Kirk and the Tigers continue their road stand with an exhibition matchup versus NCAA Division II and in-state opponent Augustana University at 7 p.m. on Monday from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.