Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. — Midland University returned to action on Saturday afternoon inside the Wikert Event Center, hosting No. 10 Dakota Wesleyan University in a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) matchup. A slow offensive start, combined with a strong defensive showing by the Tigers, proved too much for the Warriors as they fell 91-40 in their first game of the new year.
Dakota Wesleyan opened the game on a 4-0 run before a steal by Zoey Sims led to a 3-pointer from Jenna Weber to get Midland on the scoreboard. After a layup by Emma Yost, Weber answered with another layup to cut the deficit to one with 7:30 remaining in the first quarter. The Tigers responded by outscoring Midland 8-0 to build a 14-5 lead midway through the period. A layup by Ciera Jorge trimmed the margin to seven, but Dakota Wesleyan answered with a basket by Shalayne Nagel, forcing a Warrior timeout. Out of the break, Midland’s offense stalled as the Tigers closed the quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 22-7 lead.
The Tigers carried the momentum into the second quarter, opening on a 19-0 run and holding Midland scoreless for more than 11 minutes of game time. A Weber 3-pointer snapped the drought, but Dakota Wesleyan still held a 41-10 advantage with three minutes remaining in the half. Two Weber free throws late in the quarter cut into the deficit, though the Tigers maintained control with a 48-12 lead at halftime.
Weber opened the third quarter with another 3-pointer, but a layup by Yost helped Dakota Wesleyan maintain control. Midland continued to battle, getting a basket from Weber, but a quick 3-pointer by Shalayne Nagel pushed the Tigers’ lead back to 20 and prompted a Midland timeout with eight minutes left in the period. Dakota Wesleyan tightened defensively out of the break and went on a 14-0 run to extend the margin to 66-17. Weber sparked a brief 5-0 run with a layup and a 3-pointer, but the Tigers answered with a basket by Rylee Rosenquist. Midland closed the quarter on an 8-4 run, though Dakota Wesleyan led 70-27 entering the fourth.
Weber opened the final quarter with two free throws, but the Tigers responded with a 10-0 run to stretch the lead to 80-27 with seven minutes remaining. A 3-pointer by Tyra Berryended another Midland drought, but Dakota Wesleyan answered immediately with a triple from Isabelle Ellwein. An 8-2 run pushed the Tigers’ lead to 91-34 late in the game. The Warriors continued to compete, closing on a 6-0 run with back-to-back 3-pointers from Mya Lempp and Allie Hakimzadeh, but Dakota Wesleyan secured the 91-40 victory.
Weber led Midland with 25 points while adding three rebounds and a pair of assists.
Midland shot 13-of-52 (25.0%) from the field, while Dakota Wesleyan finished 40-of-68 (58.8%). The Tigers also held a 49-22 advantage on the boards.
Midland (2-13, 1-8 GPAC) travels to Sioux City, Iowa, to face No. 13 Briar Cliff (12-3, 6-3 GPAC) on Wednesday, Jan. 7, in another conference matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside the Newman Flannigan Center.
