Sioux Falls, S.D. – Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball picks up their first win of the 2022-23 season after trailing 38-45 at halftime.

The Quick Details:

Score:

DWU 90 – PC 75

Records:

DWU 1-1

PC 1-3

How It Happened

The Tigers got off to another slow start Sunday evening from Heritage Court and the Sanford Pentagon, not recording their first basket till nearly two minutes passed and already trailing by three points, 5-2. Jakob Dobney hit back-to-back shots, putting DWU within two points, then ahead by one, 6-5 over the Saints. That lead quickly disappeared as the next trip down the floor for PC, they hit three from the corner to take the lead back, 8-6. Presentation quickly went up, by four over the Tigers with 16:56 remaining in the first half. Nick Wittler once again put DWU back within striking distance after a triple from deep to trail by one. Wittler’s shot from deep, started the 7-6 run by the Tigers lasting just under two minutes as they still trailed by one point, 13-14. It wasn’t until eight and a half minutes left in the opening half, that DWU regained the lead, 27-25 after Koln Oppold hit a jumper. After that short lead by DWU, the Saints took it back just two possessions later and never gave it up for the remaining seven minutes and 16-seconds of the first half. The remainder of the first half was all the Saints as they outscored the Tigers 18-11 to lead at the break 45-38 over DWU.

The Tigers got off to a hot start in the second half, posting a five and a half minute, 18-2 run to lead by nine, 56-47. Over that stretch of time, Jakob Dobney, Wittler, and D’Andre Dennis all scored three points, while Koln Oppold chipped in with one. The Saints went basket for basket with DWU for the next minute or two, but it wasn’t enough to close gap more than a few points. Dobney collected on his 20th point of the game with 11:56 remaining on a shot beyond the arc, putting the Tigers up by ten. 61-51. As both teams began to dig in defensively, the scoring became more spread out with close to a minute of game clock gone before the next basket was made. DWU continued to hold strong though on both sides of the ball, finding open opportunities and playing tough defense on the other side. Down the stretch though, Presentation was unable to make up for missed baskets, as Dakota Wesleyan continued to play strong, pushing their lead to 69-55, then 73-59. Over the final three minutes of the game, Dennis and Dobney were the Tigers go to guys, for the 5-4 run ending the game with a win 90-75.

Overall, the Tigers and Saints were not far off with field goal percentage, but DWU did shoot better, 47.5% to 44.6%. Beyond the arc DWU shot 37.5% while holding the Saints to only 26.7% beyond the arc. Dakota Wesleyan outrebounded Presentation 40-33, while the Saints bench chipped in with 23 points compared to the eight points the Tigers bench added.

Beyond the Results

Jakob Dobney: 25 points, 50 FG%, 42.9 3-pt%, 72.7 FT%, and four assists

Koln Oppold: 20 points, 42.9 FG%, 1-of-2 beyond the arc, 77.8 FT%, 10 rebounds, seven assists

D’Andre Dennis: 19 points, 66.7 FG%, 2-of-2 free throw shooting, 11 rebounds, and four assists

Up Next

The Tigers are back in action again on the road Saturday, November 12. DWU will travel to Sioux City, Iowa for a 3:45 p.m. tip off against the Mustangs of Morningside in their first GPAC match up of the 2022-23 season.