Dakota Wesleyan’s defense carries the Tigers past Mount Marty for the second time this season

MITCHELL – The message from DWU head coach Matt Wilber to his players in the midst of the Tigers scoring their least amount of points in a win all season was, “Keep going, stay tough, stay together and just keep playing.”

The Tigers struggled in the first half shooting 28 percent from the field and 23 percent from 3-point range. Dakota Wesleyan was not alone in season-low performances as Mount Marty shot its season worst from 3-point range going 2-for-21 and had its second-worst field goal percentage of the season at 31.

DWU vastly improved in the second half going 13-for-25 from the field to beat Great Plains Athletic Conference opponent Mount Marty 53-40.

“It was just a bad, tough and frustrating night offensively for both teams,” Wilber said. “It’s hard not to be frustrated, but we played a lot better in the second half. … I give our defense a lot of credit, especially the way we guarded the actions that we saw. The baskets Mount Marty did get were tough, I thought only a handful were easy ones and that was the difference in the game.”

1/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Mason Larson (15) wins the tip-off over Mount Marty's Tyrell Harper during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

2/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Teegan Evers (2) grabs a rebound as Mount Marty's Elijah Pappas looks on during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

3/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Teegan Evers (2) grabs a rebound beyond the reach of Mount Marty's Kade Stearns during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

4/67: Dakota Wesleyan University Head Coach Matt Wilber watches a play develop during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

5/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Mason Larson (15) grabs a rebound in front of Mount Marty's Elijah Pappas during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

6/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Koln Oppold (1) shoots a basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

7/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) looks for an outlet to pass to in front of a trio of Mount Marty defenders during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

8/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Teegan Evers (2) shoots over a pair of Mount Marty defenders during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

9/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Nick Wittler (4) shoots around Mount Marty's Gio Diaz during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

10/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Teegan Evers (2) shoots between a pair of Mount Marty defenders during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

11/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) makes a move to the basket around a Mount Marty defender during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

12/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Mason Larson (15) goes up for a basket as Mount Marty's Jonah Larson looks on during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

13/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) makes a move to the basket as Mount Marty's Jonah Larson defends during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

14/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) goes to the basket as Mount Marty's Jonah Larson defends during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

15/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) goes to the basket as Mount Marty's Jonah Larson defends during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

16/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) goes to the basket as Mount Marty's Tyrell Harper defends during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

17/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) goes to the basket as Mount Marty's Tyrell Harper defends during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

18/67: The Tigers bench celebrates a basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

19/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Nick Wittler (4) fights his way through the defense of Mount Marty's Tyrell Harper and Mount Marty's Gio Diaz during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

20/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) goes to the basket as Mount Marty's Tyrell Harper defends during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

21/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Teegan Evers (2) goes up for a basket around Mount Marty's Tyrell Harper during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

22/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Teegan Evers (2) goes up for a basket around Mount Marty's Tyrell Harper during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

23/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Teegan Evers (2) drives to the basket as Mount Marty's Kade Stearns defends during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

24/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Nick Wittler (4) goes to the basket as Mount Marty's Jonah Larson defends during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

25/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Nick Wittler (4) goes to the basket as Mount Marty's Jonah Larson defends during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

26/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Teegan Evers (2) goes up for a basket around Mount Marty's Tyrell Harper during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

27/67: The Tigers bench celebrates a basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

28/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Sawyer Schultz (3) dribbles towards the basket as Mount Marty's Elijah Pappas and Mount Marty's Tyrell Harper defend during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

29/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Sawyer Schultz (3) dribbles to the basket as Mount Marty's Elijah Pappas defends during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

30/67: The Dakota Wesleyan University women's volleyball team is recognized on their record-setting success this past season at halftime of a Great Plains Athletic Conference game between DWU and Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

31/67: The Dakota Wesleyan University women's volleyball team is recognized on their record-setting success this past season at halftime of a Great Plains Athletic Conference game between DWU and Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

32/67: The Dakota Wesleyan University women's volleyball team is recognized on their record-setting success this past season at halftime of a Great Plains Athletic Conference game between DWU and Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

33/67: The Dakota Wesleyan University women's volleyball team is recognized on their record-setting success this past season at halftime of a Great Plains Athletic Conference game between DWU and Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

34/67: The Dakota Wesleyan University women's volleyball team is recognized on their record-setting success this past season at halftime of a Great Plains Athletic Conference game between DWU and Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

35/67: DWU students during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

36/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Sawyer Schultz (3) points one direction while the bench points another as Schultz chased a ball out of bounds during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

37/67: The Tigers celebrate a Mount Marty turnover during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

38/67: DWU students during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

39/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Sawyer Schultz (3) and Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) react to a Tiger's turnover during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

40/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Teegan Evers (2) puts down a dunk during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

41/67: The Tigers bench celebrates a Teegan Evers (2) basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

42/67: The Tigers wait to go onto the floor for warmups prior to a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

43/67: The Tigers celebrate a basket during a timeout during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

44/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Teegan Evers (2) puts down a dunk during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

45/67: The Tigers bench celebrates a basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

46/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Teegan Evers (2) puts down a dunk during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

47/67: The Tigers celebrate a basket during a timeout during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

48/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Mason Larson (15) goes up for a basket as Mount Marty's Elijah Pappas defends during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

49/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) dribbles to the basket as Mount Marty's Jonah Larson tries to knock the ball away from Schuch during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

50/67: The Tigers bench celebrates a basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

51/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Nick Wittler (4) drives to the basket as Mount Marty's Jonah Larson defends during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

52/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Teegan Evers (2) celebrates a basket and the foul during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

53/67: Dakota Wesleyan University Head Coach Matt Wilber sits on the bench along with his players during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

54/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) fights his way to the basket between a pair of Mount Marty defenders during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

55/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Koln Oppold (1) shoots around the defense of Mount Marty's Tyrell Harper during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

56/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Nick Wittler (4) shoots over a Mount Marty defender during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

57/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Nick Wittler (4) shoots over a Mount Marty defender during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

58/67: Dakota Wesleyan University's Jeffrey Schuch (13) fights his way to the basket as Mount Marty's Jonah Larson Mount Marty's Tyrell Harper defend during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

59/67: The Tiny Tigers basketball camp gives a demonstration at halftime of a Great Plains Athletic Conference game between DWU and Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

60/67: The Tiny Tigers basketball camp gives a demonstration at halftime of a Great Plains Athletic Conference game between DWU and Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

61/67: The Tiny Tigers basketball camp gives a demonstration at halftime of a Great Plains Athletic Conference game between DWU and Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

62/67: The Tiny Tigers basketball camp gives a demonstration at halftime of a Great Plains Athletic Conference game between DWU and Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

63/67: The Tiny Tigers basketball camp gives a demonstration at halftime of a Great Plains Athletic Conference game between DWU and Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

64/67: The Tiny Tigers basketball camp gives a demonstration at halftime of a Great Plains Athletic Conference game between DWU and Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

65/67: The Tiny Tigers basketball camp gives a demonstration at halftime of a Great Plains Athletic Conference game between DWU and Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

66/67: The Tiny Tigers basketball camp gives a demonstration at halftime of a Great Plains Athletic Conference game between DWU and Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

67/67: The Dakota Wesleyan University women's volleyball team is recognized on their record-setting success this past season at halftime of a Great Plains Athletic Conference game between DWU and Mount Marty on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.

Both teams struggled offensively to start as Mount Marty had a 6-4 lead 10 minutes into the game. Dakota Wesleyan started the game 2-of-16 from the field and only scored 10 of its 32 paint points in the first half. The defense by Mount Marty’s two 6-foot-6 forwards Jonah Larson and Tyrell Harper, gave the Tigers issues around the rim.

As for the Tigers, their defense was just as impressive. They held the Lancers to just 7-for-20 shooting through the first 20 minutes, and forced Mount Marty to commit six turnovers and shoot 0-of-6 from 3-point range.

“We just couldn’t make a shot and even all our three’s were open looks,” Wilber said. “I tried to tell our guys don’t look at the scoreboard, but it was glaring. The weight of that can be much, but I'm glad that we won through it because I believe we can win games like this. We’re a team that has to grind on offense and our defense can hold serve while we go through it.”

Matt Gade/Mitchell Republic

DWU’s offense came alive in the second half as the Tigers scored 20 points in the first 12 minutes, including a Teegan Evers 24-foot 3-pointer that ignited the crowd and put the Tigers up eight. After back-to-back layups by Jeffrey Schuch and a floater by Sawyer Schultz, Dakota Wesleyan extended its lead to 12 and managed to win its fifth GPAC game of the season.

Evers finished with 16 points on 7-for-14 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds. Schuch had 11 points and eight rebounds while Koln Oppold had eight points and snatched a game-high 11 rebounds. Mason Larson added seven points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Mount Marty’s Harper had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds while Elijah Pappas led the Lancers in points and assists with 12 and three. Nick Coleman added 10 points off the bench and shot perfect from the field and the free throw line.

Matt Gade/Mitchell Republic

DWU has now improved its record to 8-10 this season and are one of the five GPAC teams on a current two-game winning streak or better. Looking ahead, Wilber said the team showed the fight that needs to continue in every game in order end the season how they ultimately want to.

“Everything is still in play for us and I credit our guys because our season was on the line for where we want to be,” Wilber said. “If we had come out in the second half and gotten beat, we'd be in a deep hole looking up in the conference standings. We didn't need to talk about it with our guys but they knew what was at stake. It’s not where we want to be, but we’ve shown we can be a tough and together team. Regardless of the offense, we played with passion and energy that’s necessary to win.”

The Tigers travel to Nebraska to face two GPAC opponents in consecutive days. DWU plays Hastings at 6:45 p.m. on Jan. 21 and plays Doane at 3:45 p.m. on Jan. 22.

Dakota Wesleyan (8-10): Teegan Evers 7-14 1-1 16, Jeffrey Schuch 5-14 0-1 11, Koln Oppold 3-8 2-2 8, Mason Larson 2-5 2-2 7, Nick Wittler 3-12 0-0 6, Sawyer Schultz 2-4 0-0 5. Totals 22-57 5-6 53.

Mount Marty (5-16): Elijah Pappas 5-15 2-2 12, Tyrell Harper 4-15 1-3 10, Nick Coleman 3-3 4-4 10, Kade Stearns 1-6 0-0 3, Jonah Larson 1-5 0-0 2, Allen Wilson 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 15-49 8-11 40.

Halftime: Dakota Wesleyan 21-19. 3-point field goals: DWU 3-13 (Schultz 1-2, Schuch 1-2, Larson 1-2, Wittler 0-2, Evers 0-2, Oppold 0-3); MM 0-6 (Harper 0-1, Larson 0-1, Pappas 0-2, Stearns 0-2). Rebounds: DWU 20 (Oppold 6); MM 15 (Harper 6). Assists: DWU 5 (Oppold 2); MM 3 (Stearns 2). Steals: DWU 3 (Oppold 2); MM 1 (Stearns 1). Blocked shots: DWU 1 (Schuch 1); MM 0. Turnovers: DWU 2; MM 6. Total fouls: DWU 5; MM 2.