MITCHELL, S.D. — Dakota Wesleyan Men's Basketball squared off against the Waldorf Warriors in a home conference showdown.
The Tigers and Warriors got out to a slow start with both defenses stifling early scoring opportunities, but DWU was able to find offensive momentum through the scoring surge of Steele Morgan, who posted nine quick points to push the Tigers out to a one-possession lead halfway through the first. Morgan ended up recording one of his best performances to date, ending the game with 22 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. Morgan was aided initially by Tyson Stevenson, who posted five points in the first half and ended up recording 10 in total. The Warriors and Tigers were able to trade scoring blows as both offenses heated up, but Dakota Wesleyan would be able to separate from Waldorf before the end of the half. Back-to-back reigning GPAC Defender of the Week Randy Rosenquist Jr. chimed in with 12 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, while the Texas native, Anthony Riggans, contributed 18 points of his own, alongside seven boards. Easton Neuendorf continued to lead the Tigers in assists as the main lifeline for the offense, posting five in total, and was able to record 17 points by the end of the game. The Tigers were able to push the lead with a steady effort from all five in the starting lineup to 41-29 as both teams headed into the locker room for halftime.
Waldorf opened the second half with an extensive scoring run that brought the contest back within a couple of possessions, but the Tigers were able to keep the Warriors at bay as Morgan continued to be the feature scorer for DWU. Neuendorf and Stevenson heated up from the arc and sank big three-pointers to extend the lead to 57-43 with 13:14 left to play before forcing a Waldorf timeout. Oliver Vincent would be the first Tiger off the bench to score later into the contest, while CJ Banks, Andrew Younan, and Gavin Hinker found minutes as DWU rotated through its lineup. Limited fouls and 40 points in the paint to Waldorf's 28 were big separating factors as Dakota Wesleyan held its lead through the rest of the contest, while also outshooting the Warriors from the field, 47.5% to 39.1%. Riggans caught fire with just under 10 minutes to play with a layup, consecutive three-pointer, and dunk to give the Tigers a 17-point lead before a layup from Banks forced another Waldorf timeout. A series of turnovers brought the Warriors back within 10 points of the Tigers, but DWU was able to hold steady and wrap up the game with an 83-70 victory as head coach Sam Nicholson records his 10th career win.
DWU Men's Basketball will be back in action on Sunday, January 18th, against the Concordia Bulldogs at the World's Only Corn Palace at 3:45 PM. See the full 2025-26 schedule here.