Dakota Wesleyan men outlast Midland in overtime, snap four-game losing streak

MITCHELL – In a back and forth overtime thriller at the Corn Palace, the Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball team managed to end its four-game losing skid with a win over Great Plains Athletic Conference opponent Midland on Wednesday night.

While erasing a 10-2 run by the Warriors, DWU made four 3-pointers, along with a layup by Nick Wittler, to tie the game at 32 at the end of the first half. After a gritty second half and overtime that consisted of nine lead changes, Dakota Wesleyan made four free throws in the final 12 seconds to secure a 79-76 victory.

After losing its first home game of the season, followed by a 17-point loss to No. 23 Concordia, DWU forward Mason Larson returned to the lineup after missing the previous two games with influenza. The senior hadn't practiced in nearly a week, but his impact helped the Tigers seal its first GPAC win since Dec. 4 against Doane.

“We had gotten our momentum down and we had some games where we felt like we could have grinded out some wins but we just didn’t,” Larson said. “We played tough tonight and we had some guys hustling. That’s the biggest thing we’ve been preaching. We have to have some grit to us if we want to grind out some of these games. We can’t rely on our talent, it has to be our energy and defense so it was good to see that and see everyone play together.”

Matt Gade/Mitchell Republic

Throughout this season, the Tigers have shot 69 percent from the free throw line, but as the game waned against Midland and free throws became extremely important, Dakota Wesleyan rose to the occasion. DWU made 17 of its 21 free throw attempts, including 14-for-16 in the second half and overtime to help hold off the Warriors.

“When you’re playing together, they go in and when you’re not playing together, they don’t go in,” DWU head coach Matt Wilber said. “They executed offensively, Jeffrey Schuch was excellent down the stretch, but we also had guys come in that hadn’t played many minutes this season like Blaze Lubbers and have a strong impact on the game.”

1/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Nick Wittler (4) shoots a basket during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

2/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) looks to make a move to the basket around a Midland University defender during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

3/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Blaze Lubbers (34) and Midland University's Jake Rueschhoff scramble for a loose ball during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

4/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Blaze Lubbers (34) and Midland University's Jake Rueschhoff scramble for a loose ball during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

5/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Teegan Evers (2) shoots a basket as Dakota Wesleyan University Head Coach Matt Wilber looks during a game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

6/66: Dakota Wesleyan University Head Coach Matt Wilber looks for an foul call on Midland University during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

7/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Ace Zorr (23) passes over the top of Midland University's Bo Sandquist during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

8/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Mason Larson (15) shoots over a Midland University defender during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

9/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Mason Larson (15) shoots over a Midland University defender during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

10/66: The Tigers celebrate a basket during a game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

11/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Mason Larson (15) heads to the free throw line after being fouled and the basket during a game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

12/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) shoots over the top of Midland University's Tyler Sandoval during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

13/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) shoots over the top of Midland University's Tyler Sandoval during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

14/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) makes a move around Midland University's Tyler Sandoval to the basket during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

15/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) makes a move to the basket around a Midland University defender during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

16/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Koln Oppold (1) drives to the basket as Midland University's Bo Sandquist defends during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

17/66: The Tigers bench celebrates a basket during a game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

18/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Blaze Lubbers (34) makes a spin move to the basket during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

19/66: Fans cheer on the Tigers during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

20/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) makes a move to the basket between a pair of Midland University defenders during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

21/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) makes a move to the basket around a Midland University defender during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

22/66: Students cheer on the Tigers during a game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

23/66: Students cheer on the Tigers during a game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

24/66: Cheerleaders perform during a break during a game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

25/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) is fouled by Midland University's Samuel Mailloux grabbing a rebound during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

26/66: Students cheer on the Tigers during a game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

27/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Koln Oppold (1) shoots off the screen of Dakota Wesleyan University's Mason Larson (15) on a Midland University defender during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

28/66: Students cheer on the Tigers during a game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

29/66: The Tigers bench celebrates a basket during a game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

30/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Gary White III (20) celebrates the Tigers win over Midland University during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

31/66: Fans cheer on the Tigres during a game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

32/66: The Tigers celebrate their 79-76 win over Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

33/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Teegan Evers (2) comes down with a rebound in front of Midland University's Jack Cooper during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

34/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Mason Larson (15) defends a shot by Midland University's Colton Uhing during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

35/66: Dancers perform at half time of the Tigers game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

36/66: Dancers perform at half time of the Tigers game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

37/66: The Tigers bench celebrate a foul on Midland University during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

38/66: Dancers perform at half time of the Tigers game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

39/66: Dancers perform at half time of the Tigers game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

40/66: Dancers perform at half time of the Tigers game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

41/66: Dancers perform at half time of the Tigers game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

42/66: Dancers perform at half time of the Tigers game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

43/66: Dancers perform at half time of the Tigers game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

44/66: Dancers perform at half time of the Tigers game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

45/66: Dancers perform at half time of the Tigers game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

46/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Koln Oppold (1) and Teegan Evers (2) celebrate the Tigers 79-76 win over Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

47/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) grabs a rebound in front of Midland University's Samuel Mailloux during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

48/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Teegan Evers (2) chases down a loose ball during a game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

49/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Teegan Evers (2) is defended by Midland University's Laurence Merritt during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

50/66: The Tigers bench celebrates a basket during a game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

51/66: The Tigers bench celebrates a basket during a game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

52/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Koln Oppold (1) makes a move around Midland University's Bo Sandquist to the basket during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

53/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) shoots around the reach of Midland University's Samuel Mailloux during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

54/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Koln Oppold (1) shoots over a Midland University defender during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

55/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Nick Wittler (4) drives to the basket as Midland University's Jake Rueschhoff defends during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

56/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Alan Kikwaki (10) shoots a basket during a game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

57/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Nick Wittler (4) dribbles off a a screen on Midland University's Bo Sandquist during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

58/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) grabs a rebound beyond the reach of Midland University's Samuel Mailloux during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

59/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) comes down with a rebound beyond the reach of Midland University's Samuel Mailloux during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

60/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Koln Oppold (1) drives to the basket past a Midland University defender during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

61/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Koln Oppold (1) makes a move to the basket around a Midland University defender during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

62/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Koln Oppold (1) goes up for a basket in front of a Midland University defender during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

63/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Nick Wittler (4) drives to the basket as Midland University's Bo Sandquist defends during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

64/66: Dakota Wesleyan University's Nick Wittler (4) dribbles to the basket as Midland University's Bo Sandquist defends during a game on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

65/66: The Tigers huddle up before tip-off in a game against Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

66/66: The Tigers celebrate their 79-76 win over Midland University on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

Schuch had six rebounds, five assists and led all scorers with 20 points, 16 of them coming in the second half. Blaze Lubbers, a freshman from Harrisburg, played a season-high 28 minutes and had nine points and five rebounds.

With 27.6 second remaining in regulation, DWU had the ball in Koln Oppold’s hands on the right wing with a chance to take the lead. After missing a step-back 3-pointer, Lubbers was the first to the glass and had a putback layup to put the Tigers up two. Midland’s Jake Rueschhoff would drive to the basket the following possession and sink two free throws after being fouled to send the game into overtime.

At the start of overtime, both teams traded layups and 3-point shots before Oppold scored five straight points to give the Tigers a three-point lead. Oppold and Teegan Evers swished a pair of free throws in the final 12 seconds to ultimately clinch a win at home as the Warriors could not get a shot up in time as the buzzer sounded.

Oppold finished with 16 points, six rebounds, five assists and went a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line. Nick Wittler had 13 points and Larson added 11 points and five rebounds. Evers chipped in with seven points and six rebounds.

Laurence Merritt led the Warriors with 18 points and also went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Rueschhoff had 17 points and five rebounds while Bo Sandquish added 16 points. Ryan Larsen also had 11 points off the bench.

Dakota Wesleyan has an upcoming game against another GPAC opponent at home, but will play three games in nine days on the road to end the month of January. Wilber said the win against a team of Midland's caliber is something the team can build upon to help turn their season around.

“We can’t go backwards and we have to have guys fighting, competing and working in practice to get better,” Wilber said. “I liked our energy and our practices leading up to this game, but that hasn’t been consistent. … We still have a lot of basketball in front of us but these games are chipping away.”

The Tigers host rival Marty Marty on Sunday, Jan. 16 at 3:45 p.m.