MITCHELL, S.D. — Dakota Wesleyan Men’s Basketball hosted the No. 17 Northwestern Red Raiders at the Corn Palace in a conference contest.
The Red Raiders started the contest with most of the scoring momentum, but the Tigers were able to get into the game with four double-digit scorers contributing to the effort. Anthony Riggans and Randy Rosenquist Jr. tied for the lead on the scoring front for DWU with 13 points each. Both starters also recorded three rebounds, with Rosenuist Jr. snagging three steals.
Dakota Wesleyan kept the score within just a possession or two, but as the first half wound to a close, the Red Raiders began to expand their lead, eventually taking a 49-27 scoreline into the break. Even still, Tyson Stevenson recorded 11 points alongside four rebounds to add points to the tally throughout the game, while Steele Morgan led the team on the boards with seven total rebounds, four points, a steal, and an assist. The Tigers were able to put up an offensive attack that became more efficient in the second half, but Northwestern was able to control the pace of the game and out-rebound the Tigers 38-27 overall.
The second half scoring surge saw contributions from freshman Easton Neuendorf, who posted 10 points, while CJ Banks contributed seven points off the bench. Andrew Younan and Aiden Costain were the other Tigers to rotate in, who saw double-digit minutes on the court, combining for six points. The Red Raiders were able to keep their lead from the first half, but the trickle of scoring from a well-rounded effort of the bench gave the Tigers some late momentum to string points together.
The Tigers were able to close the lead after putting up 44 total points in the second half, but it was not enough to fully get Dakota Wesleyan back into the contest. Northwestern ultimately claimed the win, 89-71. The Tigers shot 25-64 (39.1%) from the field while the Red Raiders sat at a 34-60 (56.7%) clip.
DWU Men’s Basketball will be back in action against the Valley City State Vikings up in North Dakota on Saturday, December 20th.