Mitchell, S.D. – Dakota Wesleyan won their home opener in blowout fashion, 86-55. The Tiger's defense was on full display from start to finish with DWU forcing a staggering 27 turnovers. Dakota Wesleyan defense also racked up a stunning 16 steals and 11 blocks in the contest. The main shot blocker for the Tigers was a familiar last name for the stat line but instead of the All-Conference Center Jada Campbell it was Anna Campbell who was sending shots back all day with her career-high four blocks. Freshman Shalayne Nagel recorded three blocks and three steals while Morgan Edelman had four steals and two blocks. Offensively the Tigers were led by freshman Emma Yost with her 22 points. DWU had four players in double-figures.
Highlighted Player– Emma Yost ~ 22 points 4 rebounds 1 steal
Stat Leaders:
Points – Emma Yost (22)
Assists – Anna Campbell (4)
Rebounds – Shalayne Nagel (7)
Blocks – Anna Campbell (4)
Steals – Morgan Edelman (4)
Recap –
Tigers won the first quarter 22-16. DWU biggest lead in the quarter was 11 at the 2:31 mark. Dakota Wesleyan did a great job of having a well-balanced offense that was working it inside to Emma Yost who was putting defenders in the blender all quarter with her post moves resulting in quarter high eight points as well as the perimeter offense which was all Grace Fryda who splashed two threes. The Vikings early were trying to use aggressive dribble drives to break down the Tiger defense, but Anna Campbell showed no give and sent three shots back in the quarter alone. The undersized DWU squad, like usual was all over the offensive glass, grabbing five offensive rebounds contributing to nine second chance points compared to the Vikings zero.
That suffocating defense only amped up more in the second quarter with DWU outscoring VCSU 25-10. The Tigers forced eight turnovers in the second quarter bringing the Vikings total to 13 for the half, while the Tigers kept it clean with only three in the half. The Vikings made a slight adjustment to slow down the Tiger offense inside but that opened the Tiger perimeter offense and DWU made them pay with four triples during the second quarter. Isabel Ihnen drilled two of them while Fryda added one more to her total and Mya Wilson splashed the other. DWU closed the quarter out with their 21-point lead which to this point was the biggest lead of the game. During the half the Tigers never trailed.
DWU kept that pressure up even out of the locker room with forcing yet another eight turnovers in the quarter bringing the Vikings total to 21 just three quarters through the game. Dakota Wesleyan had six steals in the first half but doubled that with six in the third quarter alone. Morgan Edelman was the main contributor with her active hands snagging three steals in the quarter. The Tigers dominated the Vikings inside during the quarter scoring eight paint points but also drawing fouls sending them to the line nine times in the quarter and cashed in on seven of those attempts. Fourth quarter was just a continuation of the first three quarters with Yost and company dominating inside and Fryda, Ihnen and the perimeter shooters making them pay when they crashed down to help inside. Fryda and Ihnen combined for 9 of the 10 Tiger three-pointers. Dakota Wesleyan showed from start to finish their up-tempo offense and their suffocating defense which proved to be too much for the Vikings leading to the 27 total VCSU turnovers, the Tigers outscoring the Vikings 15-2 in fast break points, and DWU taking full advantage of those turnovers with 31 points compared to the Vikings 3 points off turnovers.
Head-to-Head (Valley City State)
- The Tigers are 20-17 all-time against the Vikings after today's victory.
- DWU won last year's matchup 65-52.
Up Next
- Dakota Wesleyan women's basketball returns to court for a road matchup with in-state rival Dakota State for a non-conference matchup Monday, November 13 with tip off at 5:30 p.m.
