MOBILE, Ala. -- Turnovers plagued the Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team Tuesday.
The Tigers committed 24 turnovers and fell to the University of Mobile 65-51 in Mobile, Ala.
"They capitalized on our turnovers and scored 22 points off them," DWU head coach Jason Christensen said. "They were a physical team and a lot bigger than us. We're more of a finesse team."
Over the Christmas break, the Tigers are playing a pair of teams that are in higher divisions. Mobile is an NAIA Division I program, while Spring Hill College is transitioning to NCAA Division II.
"We can go out and win a couple of games or go out and play teams that can make you better," Christensen said. "I think you have to find competitive games, and these will make us better when we return to conference play."
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The game started as a back-and-forth affair until late in the first half. Mobile went on a 13-4 run to end the first half, leaving DWU (9-6, 4-3 GPAC) with a nine-point deficit. The Rams continued to knock down shots in the second half, including 5-of-6 of its 3-pointers.
The Tigers struggled from behind the arc, sinking 3-of-13 for 23 percent. DWU shot 40 percent from the field, 50 percent from the line and were outrebounded 41-32.
The Tigers were led by Katie Johnson and Ashley Bray with 10 points apiece. Kristin Sabers, a former Kernel, grabbed a game-high seven rebounds.
The Rams (4-5) had four players score in double figures, including Jakela Johnson with 12 points, Molly Speed with 11 and Jammieca Hudson and Taneequa Myers each with 10.
The Tigers continue play in the South against Spring Hill College at noon today.
Dakota Wesleyan (9-6, 4-3 GPAC)
Katie Johnson 4-6 2-3 10; Ashley Bray 3-6 0-1 6; Gabby Frybko 2-50-0 4; Micaela Erickson 2-6 0-0 4; Celeste Beck 3-7 0-0 8; Erica Herrold 5-11 0-0 10; Madison Kuehl 0-2 0-0 0; Chesney Nagel 1-2 0-1 2; Kristin Sabers 1-6 2-3 4; Josie Huber 1-4 0-0 3; Totals: 22-55 4-8 51.
Mobile (4-5)
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Kierra Anderson 1-4 0-0 2; Michelle Swopes 2-3 1-2 5; Sydney Westry 2-3 1- 6; Raven Lyons 2-6 5-6 9; Molly Speed 4-17 0-0 11; Jammieca Hudson 4-13 0-0 10; Noelle Morris 0-0 0-0 0; Taneequa Myers 5-6 0-0 10; Jakela Johnson 6-11 0-0 12; Cierra Anderson 0-2 0-0 0; Totals: 26-65 7-10 65.
DWU 28 51
UM 37 65
Three-point goals: DWU 3-13 (Beck 2, Huber), UM 6-18 (Speed 3, Hudson 2, Westry); Rebounds: DWU 32 (Sabers 7, Bray 5), UM 41 (K. Anderson 6, Hudson 6); Assists: DWU 14 (Erickson 3, Nagel 3), UM 16 (Hudson 8); Steals: DWU 7, UM 13; Turnovers: DWU 24, UM 17; Personal fouls: DWU 7, UM 13; Technical fouls: none.
