Wesleyan women cruise in Wisconsin Dells

Talk about it

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. — The Dakota Wesleyan women’s basketball team improved to 11-4 on the season as it defeated Ashford University 72-44 Thursday.

Head coach Jason Christensen said the defensive effort was key in the matchup.

“Our defense sparks our offense, and that’s why we were able do well offensively,” he said. “Our defense held a really good team.”

DWU recorded nine steals in the game, while Ashford tallied two. Christensen said he was also pleased with how his team, which had nine turnovers, handled the ball.

The Tigers had three players in double-scoring figures. Celeste Beck led all players with 24 points. She made four of DWU’s eight 3-pointers. Kim Johnson scored 16 points and Brittany Hills chipped in with 11.

“Our offense has been there all year,” Christensen said. “I’m not surprised with how well we shot.”

DWU was 28-of-52 from the field, shooting 53.8 percent. Ashford was 18-of-53 from the field, shooting 34 percent.

Ashford had two players in double-scoring figures and was led by Deana Bledsoe with 11 points. Gaby Ayon recorded 10 points in the loss and led all players with nine rebounds.

The Tigers play Lakeland College at 5 p.m. today at the JustAGame Fieldhouse in Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

DAKOTA WESLEYAN 72

ASHFORD UNIVERSITY 44

DWU (11-4, 4-3 GPAC)

Elizabeth Lamb 1-4 1-2 3; Taylor Piper 0-1 0-0 0; Amanda Hart 1-5 0-0 3; Brittany Hills 5-6 0-1 11; Kim Johnson 7-8 1-4 16; Lexie Christensen 0-0 0-0 0; Micaela Erickson 2-6 4-4 9; Celeste Beck 9-17 2-3 24; Skyler Heyden 0-1 0-0 0; Kristin Binger 1-1 0-0 2; Katie Johnson 1-2 0-0 2; Shekela Quarles 1-1 0-1 2. Totals: 28-52 8-15 72.

Ashford (7-7)

Jennifer Forge 1-3 0-0 2; Clare Gloede 1-3 0-0 2; Briaunna Buthrie 0-2 0-0 0; Erica Withey 0-0 0-0 0; Genevieve Johnson 1-3 0-0 3; Quinn Rear 2-10 0-0 5; Gaby Ayon 3-7 4-6 10; Deana Bledsoe 5-9 1-4 11; Elizabeth Nardi 0-0 0-0 0; Kendra Forristall 0-0 0-0 0; Madison Wagner 5-16 1-2 11. Totals: 18-53 6-12 44.

DWU 31 41 72

Ashford 21 23 44

Halftime: DWU 31-21. 3-point goals: DWU 8-21 (Hart 1, Hills 1, Johnson 1, Erickson 1, Beck 4), AU 2-14 (Johnson 1, Rear 1); Rebounds: DWU 32 (Katie Johnson 6, Beck 6), AU 28 (Ayon 9); Assists: DWU 11 (Hart 3, Hills 3), AU 4 (Forge 2); Steals: DWU 9 (Piper 2, Kim Johnson 2, Christensen 2), AU 2 (Forge 1, Gloede 1); Turnovers: DWU 9, AU 13; Total fouls: DWU 12, AU 14. Technical fouls: None.

Tags: sports, dwu, tigers, basketball, updates