MITCHELL — For 38 1/2 minutes, the Dakota Wesleyan women’s basketball team exchanged big runs and timely baskets with Morningside, a team ranked in the NAIA top-10 nationally all season, but in the final moments, it was the Tigers who blinked.
Locked in a 72-72 tie with under two minutes to play, No. 9 Morningside scored eight of the game’s final 10 points to escape with an 80-74 victory over DWU in Great Plains Athletic Conference action Wednesday night at the Corn Palace.
1/Dakota Wesleyan University's Natalie Gottlob (50) grabs a rebound in front of Morningside's McKenna Sims (12) during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
2/Dakota Wesleyan University's Aspen Hansen (4) shoots over the top of Morningside's Sierra Mitchell (4) during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
3/Dakota Wesleyan University's Matti Reiner (34) tries splitting a pair of Morningside defenders including Morningside's Taylor Rodenburgh (23) to the basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
4/Dakota Wesleyan University's Kaylee Kirk (2) dribbles towards the basket as Morningside's McKenna Sims (12) defends during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
5/Dakota Wesleyan University's Aspen Hansen (4) shoots over the top of Morningside's Sierra Mitchell (4) during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
6/Dakota Wesleyan University's Natalie Gottlob (50) and Dakota Wesleyan University's Rynn Osthus (10) fight for a rebound with Morningside's Sophia Peppers (25) during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
7/Dakota Wesleyan University's Natalie Gottlob (50) and Dakota Wesleyan University's Rynn Osthus (10) fight for a rebound with Morningside's Sophia Peppers (25) during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
8/Dakota Wesleyan University's Kaylee Kirk (2) shoots a jumper during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
9/Dakota Wesleyan University's Rynn Osthus (10) dribbles around Morningside's Taylor Rodenburgh (23) during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
10/Dakota Wesleyan University's Aspen Hansen (4) shoots a basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
11/Dakota Wesleyan University's Matti Reiner (34) shoots a jumper in the Morningside defense during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
12/Dakota Wesleyan University's Lacey Sprakel (52) grabs a rebound in front of Morningside's McKenna Sims (12) during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
13/The Tiger bench celebrates a 3-point basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
14/The Tiger bench celebrates a 3-point basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
15/The Tiger bench celebrates a basket and foul during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
16/Dakota Wesleyan University's Kaylee Kirk (2) looks for an outlet as Morningside's McKenna Sims (12) defends during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
17/Dakota Wesleyan University's Rynn Osthus (10) is introduced during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
18/Dakota Wesleyan University's Jada Campbell (44) is the last player introduced for the Tigers during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
19/Dakota Wesleyan University's Jada Campbell (44) wins the opening tipoff during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
20/The Tiger cheerleaders during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
21/The Tiger cheerleaders during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
22/Dakota Wesleyan University's Rynn Osthus (10) pulls up for a basket as Morningside's Sophia Peppers (25) looks on during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
23/Dakota Wesleyan University's Kaylee Kirk (2) shoots a 3-point basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
24/Dakota Wesleyan University's Matti Reiner (34) dribbles past Morningside's McKenna Sims (12) to the basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
25/Dakota Wesleyan University's Matti Reiner (34) celebrates a lead change by the Tigers as Morningside calls timeout during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
26/The Tigers bench celebrates a basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
27/Dakota Wesleyan University's Kaylee Kirk (2) and Dakota Wesleyan University's Matti Reiner (34) celebrate the Tigers lead change as Morningside calls timeout during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
28/Dakota Wesleyan University's Kaylee Kirk (2) shoots in front of a Morningside defender during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
29/The Tigers bench celebrates a basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
30/The Corn Crib Crazies during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
31/Dakota Wesleyan University's Matti Reiner (34) goes up for a lay-up in front of the Morningside defense during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
32/Dakota Wesleyan University's Rynn Osthus (10) shoots beyond the reach of Morningside's Sophia Peppers (25) during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
33/Dakota Wesleyan University's Isabel Ihnen (30) shoots in the middle of the Morningside defense during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
34/Dakota Wesleyan University's Kaylee Kirk (2) goes to the basket through the Morningside defense during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
35/Dakota Wesleyan University's Matti Reiner (34) goes to the basket in front of Morningside's Chloe Lofstrom (44) during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
36/Dakota Wesleyan University's Kaylee Kirk (2) goes to the basket in front of Morningside's Chloe Lofstrom (44) and Morningside's Sophia Peppers (25) during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
37/The Tigers bench celebrates a basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
38/The Tigers bench celebrates a basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
39/Dakota Wesleyan University's Matti Reiner (34) goes to the basket in front of Morningside's Chloe Lofstrom (44) during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
40/Dakota Wesleyan University's Matti Reiner (34) goes up for a basket in front of the Morningside defense during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
41/The Tigers bench celebrates a basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
42/Dakota Wesleyan University's Lacey Sprakel (52) and the Tiger bench celebrate a charge called on Morningside during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
43/Dakota Wesleyan University's Kaylee Kirk (2) brings the ball up the court during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
44/Dakota Wesleyan University's Lacey Sprakel (52) and the Tiger bench celebrate a charge called on Morningside during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
45/The DWU drumline performs at half time during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
46/The Corn Crib Crazies react to a call during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
47/Dakota Wesleyan University's Kaylee Kirk (2) brings the ball up the court as Morningside's Sierra Mitchell (4) defends during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
48/The DWU student body watches the drum line perform during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
49/The DWU Tiger watches the drum line perform during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
50/The DWU band performs during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
51/Dakota Wesleyan University's Natalie Gottlob (50) goes up for a basket through the Morningside defense during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
52/The DWU drumline performs at half time during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
53/Dakota Wesleyan University's Matti Reiner (34) shoots a basket after drawing contact from Morningside's Alexis Spier (30) during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
54/Dakota Wesleyan University's Rynn Osthus (10) cant's reach a loose ball as Morningside's Sophia Peppers (25) comes away with it during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
55/Dakota Wesleyan University's Natalie Gottlob (50) shoots as the Morningside defense looks on during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
56/The Tigers huddle up in pregame jubilation prior to a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
57/The Tigers huddle up in pregame jubilation prior to a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
58/Dakota Wesleyan University's Matti Reiner (34) celebrates a 5 second violation on Morningside during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
59/Dakota Wesleyan University's Kaylee Kirk (2) celebrates a five second violation on Morningside during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
60/Dakota Wesleyan University's Jada Campbell (44) is fouled going to the basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
61/Dakota Wesleyan University's Kaylee Kirk (2) comes down with a rebound beyond Morningside's McKenna Sims (12) during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
62/The Tigers bench celebrates a basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
63/Dakota Wesleyan University's Matti Reiner (34) is fouled going to the basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
64/Dakota Wesleyan University's Rynn Osthus (10) fights her way past Morningside's Sierra Mitchell (4) to the basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
65/The Corn Crib Crazies support a Tiger at the free throw line during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
66/Dakota Wesleyan University's Rynn Osthus (10) hits a 3-point basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
67/The Tigers bench celebrates a basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
68/The Tigers bench celebrates a basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
69/Dakota Wesleyan University's Isabel Ihnen (30) shoots during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
70/Dakota Wesleyan University's Rynn Osthus (10) is fouled by Morningside's Aspen Jansa (24) on her way to the basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
71/Dakota Wesleyan University's Aspen Hansen (4) shoots in front of Morningside's Chloe Lofstrom (44) during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
72/The Tigers bench celebrates a basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
73/Dakota Wesleyan University's Aspen Hansen (4) dribbles past Morningside's McKenna Sims (12) during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
74/Dakota Wesleyan University's Matti Reiner (34) shoots around Morningside's Chloe Lofstrom (44) during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
75/Dakota Wesleyan University's Matti Reiner (34) shoots around Morningside's Chloe Lofstrom (44) during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
76/The Tigers bench celebrates a basket during a Great Plains Athletic Conference game against Morningside on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
The first quarter went back-and-forth, marked by one tie amongst seven lead changes, as Morningside held a 17-15 advantage after 10 minutes.
After a 7-0 run to start the second quarter made it 22-17 DWU, the final 6:14 of the half belonged to the Mustangs. Within 90 seconds, a 9-0 Morningside run made it 26-22, but the extended spurt didn’t stop there. The Mustangs surged to a 39-29 lead at the break, powered by 24 points between Sierra Mitchell and Sophia Peppers.
Trailing 46-35 in the early stages of the third quarter, DWU went on a 16-2 run to take back the lead, but Morningside closed the period strong to take a 60-57 lead into the fourth quarter.
ADVERTISEMENT
A Matti Reiner free throw with 3:44 remaining leveled the game at 72 apiece, where it would remain for more than two minutes. Morningside’s McKenna Sims connected on a pair of free throws with just over 90 seconds to play, starting an 8-2 run over the final 98 seconds that sealed a Mustangs’ victory.
While Morningside had already secured the top seed in the GPAC tournament, which starts Feb. 23, DWU entered Wednesday in a tie for third and owned the tiebreaker over Northwestern College. However, No. 16 Northwestern (23-6, 15-6 GPAC) notched a 72-62 over No. 24 Dordt (22-7, 15-6 GPAC) on Wednesday night to vault into a tie for second, meaning DWU now needs help on the final day of the regular season to end up any higher than the fourth seed.
Reiner paced DWU with 23 points to go with five rebounds and six assists, while Aspen Hansen was the only other Tiger to reach double figures in scoring, finishing with 10 points and five rebounds. Kaylee Kirk and Jada Campbell each chipped in nine points, as Kirk added five rebounds and four assists and Campbell grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. Isabel Ihnen had eight points, six rebounds and three assists.
Morningside (24-4, 19-2 GPAC) was led by Peppers’ 24 points, powered by a 3-for-3 effort on 3-pointers, as she added six rebounds and three assists. Sims threatened a triple-double with 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Mitchell was held to two second-half points and finished with 16 for the game. Chloe Lofstrom ended her night one point shy of a double-double with nine points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
DWU (22-7, 14-7 GPAC) hosts Concordia on Saturday, Feb. 19, in both teams’ final regular-season contest. The Bulldogs defeated the Tigers, 90-58, on Jan. 8 in Seward, Nebraska.
