Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb – Midland University played host to Dakota Wesleyan University inside Wikert Event Center on Senior Day Saturday. In the last home game of the season, second-quarter struggles doomed the Warriors as they fell to the Tigers, 86-52.
Erin Prusa got the Warriors started in the first with a layup. The Tigers quickly responded with a three-pointer and a jumper as the teams went back and forth early on. A 6-0 run gave DWU a nine-point lead with just under three to go in the quarter. Midland would score the final five points of the quarter, a three-pointer and layup by Emma Shepard to make it 19-14 after one quarter.
Asia Bryant went on a personal 4-0 run to start the second, cutting the Tigers’ lead down to one. That would end up being the last time they were within a basket as DWU responded with an 11-0 run and outscored the Warriors 20-9 in the quarter to make it 39-23 heading into the half.
After the intermission, the Tigers continued to boost their lead up to 20 points early on. Looking to break the deficit, Prusa scored a jumper to get the momentum started. Both teams went back and forth on baskets, matching each other’s points. Dakota Wesleyan ended the third with a 12-2 run and led 66-37 after three.
In the final 10 minutes, the Warriors battled it out. They had their best quarter of the game scoring 15 points, nearly matching the Tigers’ output of 20. The scoring and defensive struggles of the middle two quarters were too much to overcome as Midland fell 86-52 in its home finale.
Leading the team in scoring on the day were three seniors. Prusa had 10 points while Lexi Kraft finished with 9 points and Sam Shepard scored 8 points to go with a team-high 9 rebounds.
For the game, Midland shot 20-for-58 (34.5%), while Dakota Wesleyan shot 34-for-68 (50%). One of the telling stats of the day was the Tigers’ ability to force 19 turnovers which translated to 26 points. They also outrebounded the Warriors, 45-28, and had a 15-2 advantage in second-chance points.
Midland (4-21, 2-17 GPAC) will travel to Hasting, Nebraska next week to take on Hastings (9-17, 5-14 GPAC). The matchup will take place on Wednesday, February 15, with tipoff at 6:00 p.m.
