Courtesy of Midland Athletics
MITCHELL, S.D. — Midland University was back in action Saturday afternoon against No. 16-ranked Dakota Wesleyan University at the World’s Only Corn Palace for another Great Plains Athletic Conference matchup. The Warriors fell to the Tigers 93-45. The loss extended Midland’s winless streak against Dakota Wesleyan at the Corn Palace to 21 games.
Dakota Wesleyan jumped out to an early lead with back-to-back layups by Emma Yost before Keyra Kruse opened the scoring for Midland with a jumper. The Tigers responded with a 6-0 run, forcing the Warriors to call an early timeout. After the short break, the two teams traded baskets. Skylar Indra knocked down the game’s first 3-pointer with just over six minutes remaining in the opening quarter to cut the deficit to seven. Dakota Wesleyan answered with an 8-0 run, stretching its lead to 22-7. Two free throws by Jenna Weberhelped stop Midland’s short scoring drought. The Tigers continued their strong start offensively, outscoring the Warriors 13-3 to end the first quarter. Midland trailed 37-12 at the end of the opening period.
A 3-pointer by Ellie Bovaird to start the second quarter cut the deficit to 22 before it became a defensive battle with only one point scored between the two teams over the next two minutes and 45 seconds of action. Following a timeout by Dakota Wesleyan, a jumper by Emma Yost stretched the Tigers’ lead to 40-15 with seven minutes remaining in the half. A 3-pointer by Weber, followed by a free throw by Zoey Sims, helped the Warriors cut the deficit to 21 with halfway through the second quarter. Free throws helped Dakota Wesleyan extend its lead, but Midland continued to cut into the deficit with a layup by Weber and free throws from Zoey Sims. The Tigers gained momentum offensively heading into the intermission, outscoring the Warriors 9-2 to close the quarter. Midland trailed 57-24 at the break.
Following the intermission, the two teams traded baskets, but Dakota Wesleyan was able to maintain its lead. Back-to-back layups by Addy Offutt forced the Tigers to call a timeout halfway through the quarter. Following the timeout, the Warriors continued to cut into the deficit with layups from Zoey Sims and Carla Cencerrero Gallego, leading to another timeout by Dakota Wesleyan. Midland continued to gain momentum after a jumper by Zoey Sims to close out the period, but the Warriors trailed 71-38 heading into the final quarter of action.
The Tigers opened the final quarter of play on a 13-0, before a jumper by Ellie Bovairdstopped the Warriors’ scoring drought. After a timeout by the Tigers, consecutive layups helped them maintain a 50-point lead. The Warriors continued to battle, as a 3-pointer by Tyra Berry and a layup by Ellie Bovaid cut into the deficit, but the Tigers were able to secure the win.
Weber led Midland with 11 points, while Bovaird contributed 10 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
The Warriors shot 17-of-60 (28.3%) from the field, while the Tigers went 36-of-73 (49.3%). Dakota Wesleyan held a 50-23 advantage on the glass.
Midland (0-7, 0-3 GPAC) will head to Omaha, Nebraska to face College of Saint Mary (2-7, 1-2 GPAC) on Tuesday, November 25. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.
