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MITCHELL — It took five extra minutes, but the Dakota Wesleyan women’s basketball team found a way to hold off multiple late pushes and take down a pesky Doane squad.
After leading by as many as 12 in the second half, 11th-ranked DWU’s advantage slipped away as Doane forced overtime. But the home Tigers closed the game on a 6-0 spurt to notch a 75-69 win in a Great Plains Athletic Conference contest on Friday night at the Corn Palace.
"We were very lucky to come out of here with a win," said DWU coach Jason Christensen. "But the positive thing is, while I thought we played not to lose in the fourth quarter, we went into overtime and played to win."
Doane maintained a slight edge early, but after DWU took its second lead of the game with less than a minute remaining in the first quarter, Doane never led again, settling for ties at four different point totals.
DWU led 39-30 at halftime and 56-49 after three quarters before Doane surged to send the game to overtime tied at 65. After DWU scored the first four points of overtime, Doane pushed back to knot the game at 69-all, but couldn't keep pace over the final moments.
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"In the fourth quarter I didn't think we were grinding with them," Christensen said. "It was your typical GPAC game. ... To compete in this conference, you have to do the little things."
DWU committed 21 turnovers to Doane's 20 and was out-rebounded 41 (15 offensive for Doane) to 39.
Reiner stuffed the box score with 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks, while Isabel Ihnen led DWU with 21 points and seven rebounds, as both logged at least 42 minutes. Aspen Hansen added 11 points, three rebounds and three steals with Jada Campbell and Mya Wilson each had eight points.
Doane's Mak Hatcliff and Macy Holtz caused issues for DWU all evening, connecting on nine field goals apiece and combining for 46 points. Hatcliff also grabbed 11 rebounds to complete a double-double with three steals. Megan Chambers chipped in 12 points and eight rebounds, while Kali Staples had six rebounds, six assists and three steals.
"I think they have the best player in the GPAC right now with Hatcliff; she's something special," Christensen said.
DWU (6-1, 4-1 GPAC) hosts Hastings at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Corn Palace.
