Hastings, Neb. – Dakota Wesleyan women's basketball picked up the 77-58 win over Hastings. Matti Reiner did it all with her 22 points, five rebounds and four assists. Jada Campbell followed with 14 points, with eight being in the fourth quarter alone. Isabel Ihnen added 12 points and four assists. Dakota Wesleyan improved to 13-5 (7-5 GPAC) with the Broncos dropping to 8-11 (4-9 GPAC) on the season.
Highlighted Player– Matti Reiner 22 points 5 rebounds 4 assists
Stat Leaders:
Points – Matti Reiner (22)
Assists – Four players (4)
Rebounds – Morgan Edelman (9)
Blocks – Matti Reiner, Aspen Hansen and Isabel Ihnen (1)
Steals –Mya Wilson & Isabel Ihnen (3)
Recap –
Dakota Wesleyan opened the game facing a Hastings zone defense due to the physical play and size inside that the Tigers bring to the court. Campbell got her first jumper to go to put the Tigers up 2-0 early. The Broncos responded with an 8-0 run finding the open shooter beyond the arc and taking advantage of the normally very physical/suffocating Tiger defense that in the early stages is late on close outs resulting in open shots. DWU transferred this over to the offensive side missing a couple of wide-open layups. Score sat 10-4 Broncos before a DWU timeout. Dakota Wesleyan answered back getting three-pointers from Mya Wilson and Rynn Osthus off the bench cutting the lead to three. Hastings hit their third three-pointer of the quarter to close it out with a 19-13 lead. HC shot extremely efficient in the quarter going 6-11 compared to the Tigers 6-19. DWU kept it close in the quarter thanks to picking up the intensity on the defensive side, forcing six turnovers in the quarter alone.
Dakota Wesleyan came out firing on all cylinders in the second quarter winning the quarter 25-10. The Tigers went back to their brand of basketball playing tight high intensity defense and good ball movement finding the open shooter and cutter. Reiner and Sprakel did most of the damage with Reiner pouring in seven points in the quarter and Sprakel scoring six points. The Tigers hit three deep range shots during the quarter but did most of their damage inside. DWU forced five turnovers during the half and holding the Broncos to a mere 10 points in the quarter. At the half Dakota Wesleyan held a 38-29 lead.
DWU won the third quarter battle 19-16. Reiner scored seven points during the quarter with Ihnen pouring in four. The Tigers took advantage of a couple second chance opportunities converting them into buckets. Throughout the game both squads had been equal in the rebound battle, which is usually a category the Tigers dominate, especially on the offensive glass. In the quarter six different Tigers got in the scoring column showing good ball movement and working the offense to find the open shot. Dakota Wesleyan headed to the fourth quarter with a 57-45 lead.
Fourth quarter was all Tigers, pulling away in the quarter leading by as much as 21 points with 1:00 left in play. DWU won the quarter 20-13 with the usual recipe of spreading the ball around (six different players in the scoring column) and tight/physical defense. Dakota Wesleyan assisted on seven of the 10 made shots in the quarter showing why they are a top-5 team in all of NAIA in assists. The Tigers forced five turnovers in the quarter but only scored on two of the five turnovers. Campbell came alive in the fourth quarter like she has all year scoring eight points in the quarter alone. The Tigers walked away with the convincing 77-58 win resulting in a split between the two teams in the regular season.
Head-to-Head (Hastings)
- DWU is now 13-38 all-time against HC with tonight's win.
- Dakota Wesleyan has now split the matchup with Hastings on the season with the Tigers winning this matchup, but falling at home 74-70 (12/3/22).
Up Next
- Dakota Wesleyan women's basketball turns around to face Doane University tomorrow for the second 'Battle of the Tigers' of the season with tipoff at 1:00 p.m.