Dakota Wesleyan University's Jason Spicer was on his way to a career-high night, but was whistled for his third foul with 11 minutes and 32 seconds left.
He never came back onto the court. The Tigers didn't even need him.
Even with Spicer sitting for the final 11-plus minutes, the No. 18 Tigers blitzed rival Mount Marty College 94-63 on Wednesday at the Corn Palace.
The Tigers (18-8, 8-6 GPAC) built a double-digit lead and maintained it throughout the night, but the Lancers whittled it down to 63-51 midway through the second half. Spicer was called for his third foul and Sam McCloud checked in.
The Tigers' small lineup of McCloud, Ty Hoglund, Trae Vandeberg, Tyson Smiley and Nygel Drury then blew the game open.
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"In the first half, I was a little disappointed in our small lineup," DWU coach Matt Wilber said. "But then in the second half, they really went on a run and played well."
DWU went on a 23-4 burst in a span of six minutes as the lead ballooned to 86-55. The Tigers scored an array of points in transition during the surge.
"That group with five out, it is tough to guard with those guys ripping through and Sam's shooting ability," said Spicer, who finished with 26 points-five shy of equalling his career high. "With those guys screening and moving, it is pretty impressive with what they can do."
Wilber said McCloud gave the Tigers a big lift after Spicer went to the bench.
"A big lift defensively and he spaces the floor too, and then some driving lanes open up when (Spicer) goes out. That's why we went to (McCloud) and we started shooting some layups and that group responded," Wilber said.
Vandeberg recorded 26 points, seven assists and seven rebounds. Hoglund added 15 points and Drury scored 11 points for the Tigers, who got back on track shooting the ball after their last outing. DWU went 0-for-12 shooting 3-pointers against Hastings College, but it made 8-for-19 from deep against Mount Marty.
Vandeberg and Hoglund both nailed three 3-pointers.
"When we have got guys knocking down shots, our offense is a lot better and we move a lot more freely and a lot more confidently," Spicer said.
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Spicer was playing confidently on Wednesday. He scored nine straight points to give DWU a 49-38 lead early in the second half, but the Tigers' small lineup later closed it out.
"It was a tale of two halves, I guess, and when those guys get going our offense is just potent," Spicer said.
DWU will face a potent offense on Saturday. The Tigers play at No. 4 Briar Cliff on Saturday in Sioux City, Iowa. Briar Cliff escaped against Doane University on Wednesday, 88-86.
"We know how good they are down there," Wilber said about facing the Chargers in Sioux City. "They haven't lost down there. They are just a really good basketball team and a really potent team."
Dakota Wesleyan University 94, Mount Marty College 63
Mount Marty (5-19, 2-12 GPAC): Zane Schumaker 2-7 0-0 6, Marcus Mathieu 6-16 7-11 22, Conlan Callahan 2-8 2-2 6, Shaye Bloch 4-7 0-0 9, Drew Cheskie 1-1 0-0 2, Logan Fleming 0-1 0-0 0, Hunter Martin 0-0 0-0 0, Jailen Billings 3-8 1-2 7, Cody Muilenburg 0-0 0-0 0, Sheldon Siemonsma 0-5 0-0 0, Aaron Koupal 0-1 2-2 2, Keegan Savary 0-0 0-0 0, Trent Wilson 4-5 1-2 9, Cole Fiegen 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 22-60 13-19 63.
Dakota Wesleyan (18-8, 8-6 GPAC): Trae Vandeberg 10-18 3-3 26, Nygel Drury 4-9 2-2 11, Collin Kramer 1-3 0-0 2, Ty Hoglund 5-10 2-2 15, Jason Spicer 10-17 6-6 26, Taner DenHoed 0-0 0-0 0, Tyson Smiley 4-5 1-2 9, Carter Brewster 0-0 0-0 0, Zachery Treiber 0-0 0-0 0, Aaron Ahmadu 0-0 0-0 0, Sam McCloud 1-2 0-0 2, Kellen Barden 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 36-66 14-15 94.
Halftime: DWU 42-32. 3-point field goals: MMC 6-17 (Schumaker 2-4, Mathieu 3-5, Callahan 0-2, Bloch 1-2, Billings 0-1, Siemonsma 0-3); DWU 8-19 (Vandeberg 3-8, Drury 1-2, Kramer 0-1, Hoglund 3-4, Spicer 0-1, McCloud 1-2, Barden 0-1). Rebounds: MMC 27 (Schumaker 6, Mathieu 6); DWU 33 (Vandeberg 7, Drury 7). Assists: MMC 8 (Siemonsma 3); DWU 17 (Vandeberg 7). Steals: MMC 2 (Schumaker 1, Savary 1); DWU 6 (Hoglund 2, McCloud 2). Blocked shots: MMC 0; DWU 4 (Spicer 2). Total fouls: MMC 14; DWU 14. Turnovers: MMC 12; DWU 7. A: 3,126.
