No. 9 Dakota Wesleyan University 78, Concordia University 64 (view stats)
Dakota Wesleyan pulled away for a 78-64 men’s basketball win over Concordia on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers, ranked No. 9 in the NAIA DII Top 25 poll, improved to 8-2 overall and 3-1 in the GPAC with the win. Concordia slipped to 7-4 overall and 3-1 in the GPAC with the loss.
The Bulldogs led for the majority of the first half. Concordia led by as many as five in the first 20 minutes, but the Tigers rallied to take a 31-30 lead into the halftime break. Dakota Wesleyan extended the lead early in the second half and led by as many as 20 points down the stretch. Concordia was unable to mount a rally, and the host Tigers secured the 78-64 victory.
Dakota Wesleyan hit 24-of-55 shots in the game for 43.6 percent. The Tigers were just 4-of-13 from the three point line (30.8 percent) and 26-of-35 at the free throw line (74.3 percent) in the win. DWU held a 41-34 rebounding advantage on the evening.
Concordia was 23-of-59 from the field for 39 percent. The Bulldogs struggled from the three point line, hitting just 4-of-21 attempts in the game for 19 percent. Concordia was 14-of-23 at the foul line for 60.9 percent and turned the ball over 19 times in the loss.
Three players scored in double figures to lead the way for Dakota Wesleyan. Brady Wiebe had a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds on 7-of-10 shooting from the field and 9-of-10 shooting from the free throw line. Wiebe also added four blocks, two assists and two steals on the night. Darrin Dorsey scored 19 points to go along with five steals and four assists, and Preston Broughton added 11 points for the Tigers.
Tyler Byrd scored 14 points off the bench to lead the way for Concordia. Byrd also added four assists and two steals. Ryan Railey and Evan Kucera each added eight points for the Bulldogs.
Concordia travels to Hastings College for an 8 p.m. GPAC contest on Dec. 9.