MITCHELL, S.D. — Dakota Wesleyan Men’s Basketball hosted the Lancers of Mount Marty in a conference matchup at the World’s Only Corn Palace.
The Tigers and Lancers traded points to begin the contest, and while both defenses were present during the first half, both teams were able to get points on the board. Mount Marty had the initial advantage in the paint, but Dakota Wesleyan was able to keep pace thanks to the early efforts of Randy Rosenquist Jr. and Steele Morgan. Rosenquist Jr., the reigning GPAC Defensive Player of the Week, posted 15 in the first half en route to a 24-point performance, while Morgan, a native of Mitchell, went to work to get on the board and ended up recording 16 total points.
A two-possession Mount Marty lead was snuffed out after a set of free throws and a big three-point shot from Easton Neuendorf, who went on to post 19 total points by the end of the game, alongside a team-leading seven assists and six boards. The surge from the true freshman put DWU ahead, 22-19, heading into the first half media timeout. An offensive surge from the Lancers was matched by the Tigers as the lead continued to swap before the half, but DWU was able to pull back ahead to head into the break, 37-34.
The pace slowed down out of the half as both teams were able to convert early second-half turnovers into a slew of points, which initially favored the Lancers. Mount Marty forced a timeout after claiming a 47-43 advantage with just over 14 minutes left to play, but the offensive firepower of Rosenquist Jr., Morgan, and Neuendorf was able to keep the game close down the stretch, along with finding aid in starters Anthony Riggans and Tyson Stevenson, who combined for 17 points by the end of the contest. Oliver Vincent continues to see his minutes increase off the bench, being near full health, and he was able to show his form by recording six tough points alongside two assists.
Towards the halfway point of the second half, the Tigers found a 55-52 lead to force a timeout thanks to the hot hands of Neuendorf and Riggans, and pushed it to 61-52 following an extended scoring run. The DWU defense was able to hold the Lancers scoreless for nearly five minutes, but there would be enough time to see MMU close the gap back up. MMU closed the DWU lead to just three with under three minutes to go at a 68-65 scoreline, but consecutive points in the paint from Morgan and Rosenquist Jr., along with a converted four-point play from Stevenson, gave the Tigers the space they needed to close out the game, 83-76.
The Lancers were able to outshoot the Tigers from the field, but Dakota Wesleyan found its advantage with fewer turnovers and better shooting from the free-throw line, alongside 10 steals on the defensive end.
DWU Men’s Basketball will be back in action next week against the Waldorf Warriors in a conference doubleheader at the Corn Palace on Wednesday, January 14th, at 6:45 PM.