DWU Women's Basketball Champs 2018

THE YEAR OF

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The Daily Republic’s special publication of Dakota Wesleyan University’s national championship

MARCH 2018

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What’s Inside

2018 DWU COMMEMORATIVE SECTION

March 2018

Cheeseman MVP..........................3 Fun on title run ...3

Bray sisters............ 4 Trail to championship........ 5 Celebrating title... 5 Bench boost............6 The right guy......... 7 Season box scores......................11 Guide editor: Marcus Traxler Staff contributors: Eric Mayer Staff photographer: Matt Gade Guide designer: Jen Phillips

Matt Gade / Republic

The Dakota Wesleyan women’s basketball team celebrates its 82-59 win over the Concordia for the NAIA Division II National Championship on March 13 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

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2018 DWU COMMEMORATIVE SECTION 3

March 2018

Cheeseman thrives on national stage Hanson graduate averaged 21.6 points and earned MVP honors

By Eric Mayer The Daily Republic

Kynedi Cheeseman was ready for another practice session after the welcome home celebration for the Dakota Wesleyan University women’s basketball team last week.

Despite DWU winning the national championship, she didn’t want her season to end. And who can blame her?

The 5-foot-10 sophomore had a breakout 2017-18 campaign, which culminated with the former Hanson standout earning MVP honors at the national tournament after averaging 21.6 points in five tournament games.

Cheeseman emerged as a go-to player along with senior Ashley Bray for the Tigers.

“Kynedi Cheeseman really stepped up in this tournament,” Amber Bray said after the national championship game. “She’s always been a great player, but she hit the open shots

Matt Gade / Republic

Dakota Wesleyan’s Kynedi Cheeseman (30) shoots over Southern Oregon’s Nitteayah Barfield (32) during a game in the second round of the NAIA Division II National Tournament on March 9 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

In national title run, Tiger women were just having fun

By Eric Mayer The Daily Republic

Eric Mayer

It’s often easy to overthink and overanalyze in today’s world, especially when it comes to sports.

While there are still plenty of X’s and O’s that can be dissected from the Dakota emayer@mitchellrepublic.com Wesleyan University women’s basketball team’s five wins in the NAIA Division II national tournament, none of those strategies compares in importance to the team’s mindset.

That confident mindset was clearly evident -- especially in the three wins over top seeds Southeastern (Fla.), Saint Xavier (Ill.) and Concordia (Neb.). There was no team having more fun playing basketball together than the Tigers.

And that’s how you become a national champion -- by having fun. It was the key ingredient for DWU, both head coach Jason Christensen and a plethora of players admitted as much. After the team’s welcome home celebration, Ashley Bray said the team’s happiness and excitement stood out the most.

The first-team All-American specifically mentioned how the team would react after made 3-pointers or defensive stops. As a team, DWU drilled 49 3-pointers in the five tournament games, including 15 in the championship game. That’s 49 occasions the team was able to celebrate and build confidence. The large pro-DWU crowds added to the on-court celebration, creating pandemonium in the Tyson Events Center.

“We’d just be knocking down shots and we’d be all excited, hands in the air, jumping up and down and screaming at the top of our lungs,” Bray reflected.

It might seem too straightforward -- sports after all are supposed to be fun, right?

But all too often, in pressure situations like a do-or-die national tournament basketball game, simply enjoying the game and the teammates you play it with fall secondary to containing the opponents’ top player or finding the perfect pass.

Over the course of three straight national tournament appearances, the maturation of the DWU women’s team was clear. At the 2015-16

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2018 DWU COMMEMORATIVE SECTION

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March 2018

DWU hails Bray sisters

Minnesota natives end Tiger careers as national champions

By Eric Mayer The Daily Republic

On a roster full of South Dakotans, two Minnesotans may have had the biggest impact on the Dakota Wesleyan University women’s basketball team.

Amber and Ashley Bray, natives of Anoka, Minnesota, capped off their stellar collegiate careers in the best way possible -- by winning a NAIA national championship.

The twin sisters were at the heart of DWU’s program turnaround from a 14-17 record after their freshman season to the school’s first team championship. Both received All-American recognition, with Ashley earning first team honors and Amber receiving honorable mention.

The twins were two of DWU’s most consistent players on the roster, starting for the Tigers for three straight seasons. Despite gaining plenty of attention from opposing coaches throughout their careers, both finished in the top 15 in DWU’s all-time scoring list. Ashley finished fourth all-time with 1,689 points, while Amber was 14th with 1,286 points.

Both Amber and Ashley reflected on their decision to attend DWU after their last game as Tigers -- an 82-59 victory over Concordia in the national championship game.

Amber said both she and her sister wanted to continue to play with each other in college and DWU was one of the few schools that offered them a chance to play together.

“I was hesitant at first with it being a small school, but I’m really happy with my decision. It’s probably the best decision of my life,” said Amber, who finished the season averaging 14 points and a team-high 7.6 rebounds per game.

Both Amber and Ashley have been accepted to physical therapy schools for next year.

“It felt like the perfect fit,” Ashley said. “Everything I’ve been through has only made me stronger. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Matt Gade / Republic

Dakota Wesleyan University twin sisters Amber, left, and Ashley Bray pose for a portrait last season at the Corn Palace.

Ashley added DWU’s athletic training program helped them prepare for physical therapy school and played a big role in the recruiting process.

Ashley said her high school team with Amber made the state tournament three years in a row, but never won a state title. That made the twins’

desire for a national championship even stronger.

“Going off to college, the dream was to win a national title,” said Ashley, who received numerous NCAA Division II offers. “It’s the best feeling in the world that I can still (play basketball) with her.”

Not many players get to win a national title, even fewer get to do it with their sister.

“I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else by my side,” Amber said. “I’m glad I get to experience it with her.”

DWU head coach Jason Christensen joked many Great Plains Athletic Conference opponents are happy to finally see the Bray sisters’ careers end. Christensen has praised the Brays as competitors on the court and leaders off the court. Curt Hart, DWU’s former athletic director and now assistant AD, reflected on the Brays’ recruiting process.

“A lot of our recruits come to Mitchell, see what kind of fans we have and how much the town follows and supports the team,” Hart said while watching Ashley cut down the nets after the title game. “They just fall in love with the place.

If we can get them in the door for that first semester, we can usually keep them.”

Amber echoed Hart’s thoughts on DWU and the Mitchell community.

“Mitchell has been such a good support system,” Amber said. “The Corn Crib Crazies, the attendance just in general for every game was the sixth man. I’m glad we could bring it home for them.”

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2018 DWU COMMEMORATIVE SECTION 5

A short look at every game in DWU’s title campaign

By The Daily Republic The Dakota Wesleyan University women’s basketball team had a historic season, tying a program-record 32 wins, going 16-4 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference and winning the NAIA Division II national championship. Below is a game-by-game look at the Tigers’ 32-6 season and how it unfolded: DWU 87, Jamestown 69 The 2017-18 season got underway in impressive fashion for DWU as the Tigers started the season with a blowout victory over No. 9-ranked Jamestown 87-69 on Oct. 31 in the Corn Palace. Ashley Bray scored a gamehigh 18 points and Amber Bray added 15 points.

DWU 89, Presentation 57 SIOUX FALLS — At the South Dakota NAIA Classic, Amber Bray scored 26 points to push DWU over Presentation on Nov. 4 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls.

DWU 106, Dakota State 45 SIOUX FALLS — Seven Tigers scored in double figures as DWU hit 100-point mark for the first time against rival Dakota State at the South Dakota NAIA Classic on Nov. 5 in Sioux Falls. Jessica Mieras had a team-high 15 points, while Makaela Karst and Amber Bray each had 13 points.

Northern State 83, DWU 68 (exhibition) ABERDEEN — Against Division II foe Northern State, DWU hung with the Wolves for three quarters. Trailing 66-64 after the third quarter, DWU was outscored 17-4 in the final frame. Kynedi Cheeseman had 20 points,

while Amber and Ashley Bray each had 14 points.

DWU 101, Southwestern 66 WINFIELD, Kan — Jessica Mieras and Kynedi Cheeseman each scored 17 points as DWU cruised past Southwestern in the team’s first game of the Tara Patterson Memorial Classic on Nov. 10 in Winfield, Kansas.

DWU 100, Friends 70 WINFIELD, Kan — Kynedi Cheeseman scored 29 points and led No. 8 DWU over then No. 16 Friends (Kan.) on Nov. 11 at Tara Patterson Memorial Classic on Nov. 11 in Winfield, Kansas. The Tigers improved to 5-0 on the season with the victory.

DWU 85, Dordt 55 Moving to 6-0 on the season, the Tigers opened up Great Plains Athletic Conference play with a 30-point thumping of Dordt. Kynedi Cheeseman had 21 points and Jessica Mieras poured in 15 points off the bench on Nov. 15 at the Corn Palace.

Concordia 70, DWU 66 In what would become the first of four meetings between DWU and Concordia, the Bulldogs got the upper hand in the first of

After years of success, Tigers celebrate title in marquee sport

By Marcus Traxler The Daily Republic

Marcus Traxler

Bring up Dakota Wesleyan University to anyone who knows a little about the school and they’ll probably say the a variation of the same thing.

“Good basketball school.” mtraxler@mitchellrepublic.com And the banners in the Corn Palace would back that up, with so many impressive players in Tiger history. But prior to last week, DWU’s trophy case was limited in the national championship competitions.

The Tiger men were undefeated in 1931-32 before losing in a national tournament in the third game, and three years ago, the men’s team had one the best seasons in school history, taking second place. The DWU women had make it to the national semifinals two times prior in 2002 and 2003, including a second-place finish in 2002.

Instead, it seems this national championship was a long time coming, considering how the Tigers have been playing men’s basketball for 100 years and the women’s team has been in action since 1976.

That extra weight of being title-less went away March 13, 2018, when the DWU women not only won the championship but crushed the previously top-ranked teams in the country to do it. Pretty good way to break down some of those barriers.

It’s no longer something that other Great Plains Athletic Conference rivals can use against DWU in recruiting or friendly banter, and DWU joins an impressive list of GPAC schools that have won national women’s basketball titles recently: Hastings, Morningside and Northwestern. (Ironically, Concordia University -- which had DWU’s number prior to this year’s title game -- is still looking for its first title in women’s basketball.) Nobody in DWU’s fanbase was looking for the validation but it’s certainly nice to have.

DWU has always been such a unique basketball hotbed. On a national level, South Dakota isn’t a huge trove of high school talent, so outsiders overlook the players that are here. The Tigers add those players and flourish with them.

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The Tigers’ trail to a championship

March 2018

2018 DWU COMMEMORATIVE TAB

6

March 2018

Bench boost meant more in March for DWU women

By Marcus Traxler The Daily Republic

ON THE BENCH? BE READY.

That’s the credo for the Dakota Wesleyan University women’s basketball team.

And it worked especially well in the national tournament, in which a number of reserves stepped into leading roles for the Tigers in a championship run. DWU averaged 79 points per game in its five NAIA Division II tournament victories and the bench provided 14.6 points per game, or just more than 18 percent of the production.

Perhaps just as impressive was the nature in which DWU accomplished the bench success, with different players seemingly taking turns.

In the tournament opener, Madison Mathews scored 13 points for the Tigers, leading a 28-point effort from the reserves in an opening round win over Indiana University East. Mathews also nailed two key 3-pointers in the championship game, adding to a pile of outside shots that

TRAIL

DWU was able to stack up in the season finale, converting 15 3-pointers in all.

Sarah Carr was one of only five players on the entire team to score in the second-round win over Southern Oregon, scoring nine points.

For the quarterfinal and semifinal wins, Jessica Mieras -- a South Dakota State transfer -- led the team in scoring off the bench, adding six in the quarterfinal win over Southeastern (Fla.) and eight points in the victory over St. Xavier (Ill.) in the semifinals.

“We have such a good group,” Mieras said.

“Everyone can score and contribute and we all play well together. That goes a long way” DWU coach Jason Christensen credited his team’s approach, finding a way to be balanced in big games.

“One day, Jessica steps up. Another day, Carr steps up. In the championship, Madi steps in there and bing, bing, she knocks down two threes,” he said. “We’ve always just had kids step up when you need kids to step up and to me, that’s just called being a team.”

From Page 5

DWU 78, Mount Marty 32 YANKTON — The Tigers held their GPAC rivals to two points in the fourth quarter to pick up their 10th win of the season on Dec. 6. Amber and Ashley Bray each had 17 points.

DWU 79, Midland 67 FREMONT, Neb. — Ashley Bray scored a career-high 30 points on 11-of-13 shooting to power DWU over Midland in GPAC action on Nov. 21 in Fremont, Nebraska. The Tigers stood at 7-1 at the Thanksgiving break.

Hastings 63, DWU 54 HASTINGS, Neb. — A fourth quarter comeback couldn’t be completed as then No. 19-ranked Hastings handed DWU its second loss on Dec. 9. Kynedi Cheeseman finished with 22 points but DWU shot 34 percent in the loss. The Tigers fell to 10-2 on the season.

DWU 101, Presentation 49 ABERDEEN — Reaching triple digits for the fourth time, DWU blitzed Presentation on Nov. 29 in Aberdeen. Kynedi Cheeseman poured in 28 points, hitting eight 3-pointers.

DWU 80, Briar Cliff 50 Back at the Corn Palace, DWU picked up another

as the team dropped its third game of the season on Dec. 30. Four players scored in double-figures, led by Kynedi Cheeseman’s 14 points and 13 from Rylie Osthus.

DWU 95, Dakota State 74 MADISON — Amber Bray scored a career-high 41 points, hitting 8-of-11 3-pointers, as DWU rolled past in-state rival Dakota State on Dec. 20 in Madison.

DWU 82, Morningside 58 DWU started the 2018 calendar year off with a bang, blasting past then No. 6-ranked Morningside College on Jan. 3 at the Corn Palace. Amber Bray had 25 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double to power the Tigers, who moved to 14-3.

DWU 109, Olivet Nazarene 75 PHOENIX, Ariz — At the Fultz Memorial ACU Holiday Classic, the Tigers trounced then-No. 13-ranked Olivet Nazarene on Dec. 29. Rylie Osthus came one rebound short of a triple-double, recording 12 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. Ashley Bray added 24 points.

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DWU 68, St. Mary 29 OMAHA, Neb. — DWU’s defense held College of Saint Marty to season-low 29 points on Jan. 6.

Amber Bray poured in 22 points as the Tigers improved to 15-3 on the season.

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GPAC victory by 30 points, crushing Briar Cliff on Dec. 16. Four Tigers scored in double figures with Kynedi Cheeseman and Amber Bray each recording 15 points.

DWU 82, Doane 51 DWU kicked off the month of December with a 31-point GPAC win over Doane on Dec. 2 at the Corn Palace. Ashley Bray scored 19 points, as 10 Tigers scored in the contest.

the games. Concordia edged the Tigers down the stretch to escape the Corn Palace with a narrow four-point victory on Nov. 18. Rylie Osthus led DWU with 19 points.

It’s easier said than done to have bench players contribute in meaningful ways but Mathews said this team has always been skilled at matching the rest of the team’s pace and play.

“You want to go in there and pick up where the team is already playing and try to take it to another level, if you can,” Mathews said. “And you want to do that within the offense or the defense but with the way this team shared the ball, every player is going to get a chance.”

The national tournament environment, Carr said, also helped get the team ready to play.

“During the tournament, we just sort of fed off each other’s energy and it all came together fairly easy,” Carr said. “I don’t know exactly why that is but we have a lot of players that play well together, regardless of who is out there.”

And that’s the main point for this DWU team, Makaela Karst said, with a large group of Tigers who play well together.

“We all just play hard and get along and want to win for each other,” she said. “We don’t care about the credit.”

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2018 DWU COMMEMORATIVE SECTION 7

March 2018

Christensen was ‘the right guy for the job’

Standing in the middle of the confetti covered court at the Tyson Event Center, Curt Hart and Jason Christensen embraced in a big hug.

Minutes earlier, the Dakota Wesleyan University women’s basketball team won the national championship and the road to the championship in Sioux City, Iowa was one paved with hard work.

Almost eight years earlier, Hart had hired Christensen to lead the struggling program. When asked if he believed a national championship at DWU was possible, Hart admitted the turnaround came quicker than he thought. DWU was 8-23 the season before Christensen was hired and the program endured five losing seasons.

TRAIL From Page 6 Northwestern 69, DWU 56 ORANGE CITY, Iowa — A disappointing outing for DWU led the Tiger’s worst loss (by 13 points) to the GPAC’s Northwestern Jan. 10. Ashley Bray had 18 points and Amber Bray added 11 points in the loss.

DWU 75, Midland 55 Jessica Mieras scored a season-high 20 points and sparked DWU over Midland on Jan. 14 at the Corn Palace. Kynedi Cheeseman had 12 points and Sarah Carr added 10 points.

South Dakota State 76, DWU 63 (exhibition) BROOKINGS — Against Division I South Dakota State, DWU jumped out to a 27-17 lead after the first quarter and led 39-25 at halftime on Jan. 16. SDSU outscored the Tigers 27-9 in the third quarter to pull away. Amber Bray finished with 18 points, while Ashley Bray added 16 points.

DWU 84, Dordt 64 SIOUX CENTER, Iowa — One day after playing

“Not at first. The (Great Plains Athletic Conference) is so solid and so tough, we knew it was going to take some time,” Hart said while watching postgame celebrations take place. “I knew we had the right guy for the job and I knew he’d get them here. I didn’t know how long it’d take.”

And Hart was right, success didn’t happen overnight. But it only took eight years.

The Tigers went 6-25, 16-15, 20-11, 18-13 and 14-17 before reaching their first national tournament under Christensen in the 2015-16 season. In four of those seasons, a GPAC team won the national title.

“He’s very intense,” Hart said about Christensen. “He’s a good recruiter, he surrounds himself with good people and people know him. He really works to get these girls to compete for him.”

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SDSU, the Tigers moved back to conference play and earned a road win. Rylie Osthus scored 20 points and dished out nine assists as DWU rolled past Dordt on Jan. 17.

DWU 84, Doane 49 CRETE, Neb. — Kynedi Cheeseman scored a game-high 23 points and Ashley Bray added 17 points as DWU cruised past Doane in a road GPAC contest on a Jan. 20.

DWU 86, Jamestown 75 JAMESTOWN, N.D. — Playing its fifth game in 10 days, DWU battled back against then No. 6-ranked Jamestown, outscoring the Jimmies 29-10 in the fourth quarter on Jan. 24. Kynedi Cheeseman led with 27 points as five Tigers scored in double figures. The Tigers were 30-for31 at the free-throw line to complete the season sweep against the future GPAC foe.

DWU 63, Hastings 52 Closing on a 16-5 run, the Tigers fended off then No. 11-ranked Hastings to earn their 20th win of the season at the Corn Palace on Jan. 27. Amber Bray had 15 points and 10 rebounds for a

graduate and 1999 DWU graduate, Christensen went to Mount Vernon straight out of college and found instant success as a basketball coach.

Before becoming DWU’s head coach, Christensen had a compiled a record of 207-37 at the high school level.

That success has translated at DWU, were Christensen is the longest-tenured and winningest coach in the program’s history.

Christensen, who was announced as the NAIA coach of the year, has compiled a record of 160-103. The 32 wins by the Tigers this season tied the program record for most in a season.

“He’s a great guy and pushed me in ways that I didn’t think were possible,” said senior Ashley Bray.

“He’s helped me grow as a person most importantly, and I’ll cherish that for forever.”

double-double, while Kynedi Cheeseman had 13 points.

DWU 82, Mount Marty 46 On Jan. 31, Ashley Bray had 22 points and Amber Bray added 10 points and 11 rebounds for another double-double as the Tigers rolled Mount Marty in GPAC action at the Corn Palace.

DWU 69, Briar Cliff 48 SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Four Tigers scored in double figures, led by Ashley Bray’s 19 points, as DWU dominated Briar Cliff in GPAC action on Feb. 3.

The Tigers earned the win despite a 19-percent shooting day from the 3-point arc (4-for-21).

DWU 92, Morningside 77 SIOUX CITY, Iowa — DWU extended its winning streak to seven games by topping then No. 15-ranked Morningside on Feb. 7. Ashley Bray had 26 points, while Sarah Carr provided 19 points off the bench and Amber Bray finished with 18 points.

DWU 86, St. Mary 52 The Tigers bolted out to a 45-24 halftime lead and

CONGRATS TIGERS!

DWU 81, Northwestern 60 In front of packed Corn Palace crowd, the Tigers extended their winning streak to nine games with a blowout win over then No. 9-ranked Northwestern on Feb. 14. DWU hit 12 3-pointers in the contest, led by Ambray Bray’s 21 points and Kynedi Cheeseman’s 20 points.

Concordia 55, DWU 42 SEWARD, Neb. — Held to a season-low 42 points, DWU dropped its second contest to Concordia in the regular-season finale on Feb. 17.

Rylie Osthus had 10 points and nine rebounds as DWU committed 22 turnovers and shot 30 percent from the field. DWU ended the regular season at 25-5.

GPAC first round: DWU 72, Midland 43 In the GPAC tournament opener, third-seeded

TRAIL: Page 8

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Dakota Wesleyan University head coach Jason Christensen cheers on his team in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Division II National Tournament March 10 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

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2018 DWU COMMEMORATIVE SECTION

March 2018

Matt Gade / Republic

Matt Gade / Republic

The Dakota Wesleyan bench cheers during a game in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Division II National Tournament on March 10 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

Dakota Wesleyan’s Amber Bray (44) shoots over Indiana University East’s Mackenzie Campbell (23) during a game in the first round of the NAIA Division II National Tournament on Wednesday, March 7 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

TRAIL From Page 7 DWU took down sixth-seeded Midland on Feb. 21 in the Corn Palace. Amber Bray had 17 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double, while Ashley Bray added 13 points in the duo’s final game at the Corn Palace.

GPAC semifinal: DWU 73, Northwestern 58 ORANGE CITY, Iowa — On Feb. 24, against second-seeded Northwestern, the Tigers nailed 13 3-pointers and cruised into the GPAC championship game for the third straight season. Kynedi Cheeseman had 19 points and Amber Bray added 16 points in the win.

GPAC championship: Concordia 90, DWU 88 SEWARD, Neb. — In a rematch of the 2017

GPAC championship game, Concordia once again outlasted DWU. The Bulldogs hung on a narrow two-point victory. Rylie Osthus had 20 points, while Makaela Karst provided 16 points off the bench on Feb. 27. DWU earned a No. 2 seed in their bracket ahead of the NAIA tournament, holding a 27-6 record.

NAIA first round: DWU 78, IU East 62 SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Madison Mathews provided 13 points off the bench and helped spark DWU over Indiana University East 78-62 in the opening round on March 7. DWU’s depth showed through in the opening game, with the Tigers’ bench outscoring IU East 28-6 in the contest. Amber Bray had 14 points, Rylie Osthus and Kynedi Cheeseman each added 13 points as nine different Tigers scored in the contest and IU East head coach Tiffani Selhorst admitted the Tigers wore

her team down. After the game, Selhorst predicted DWU would make a deep run in the national tournament and was eventually proven right.

DWU’s defense got off to a strong start, holding the Red Wolves, who were averaging 87 points per game, to 62 points. Tiger head coach Jason Christensen admitted IU East, which never trailed by more than 19 points and kept battling back, was a good first test for his team.

NAIA second round: DWU 76, Southern Oregon 61 SIOUX CITY, Iowa — In what DWU head coach Jason Christensen called “the most physical game I’ve ever been a part of,” the Tigers overcame 36 turnovers and advanced to the quarterfinals with a 76-61 win over South Oregon.

Leading 33-31 at halftime and 55-49 after the third quarter, the Tigers outscored the Raiders 21-12

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NAIA quarterfinals: DWU 78, Southeastern 64 SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Against No. 1-ranked and previously unbeaten Southeastern, DWU lit up the scoreboard to advance to the national semifinals with a 78-64 victory on March 10. The Tigers went 15-of-34 on 3-pointers and Ashley Bray hit eight 3-pointers to finish with a game-high 26 points. Kynedi Cheeseman had 20 points, while Rylie Osthus recorded seven points, eight rebounds and seven assists. DWU led 35-25 at

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in the final frame. Kynedi Cheeseman led the way with 22 points, while Amber Bray had 19 points, Ashley Bray finished with 16 points and Rylie Osthus chipped in 10 points. The Tigers went 26-of-34 from the free-throw line, making Southeastern pay for 29 fouls in the contest.

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points in the semifinal and national title games.

After averaging 5.8 points as freshman, Cheeseman said she learned what it took to thrive at the college level.

“I’ve gotten a lot more confident with my game,” Cheeseman said.

“A lot of my confidence was given to me by my teammates and my coaches. They believed in me a lot more this season and for that I’m thankful.”

At the welcome home celebration, Cheeseman continued to praise her teammates, saying Matt Gade / Republic Dakota Wesleyan’s Kynedi Cheeseman splits a pair of Concordia she’d like to break the MVP trophy defenders during the NAIA Division II National Championship game into pieces and give them to the on March 13 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. entire team.

“The seniors made practice and knocked them down when it counted.” really fun,” Cheeseman said.

Cheeseman played in all 38 games for DWU “When things got intense in practice they were this season, starting 37 games and leading the the ones that kept our heads up and gave us team in points per game with 14.9. She shot motivation to continue to work hard.”

43 percent from the field and 35 percent from Despite playing high school basketball behind the arc, knocking down 75 3-pointers. in Alexandria, just 15 miles from Mitchell, “She’s a coachable kid,” DWU head coach Cheeseman said she never felt any extra Jason Christensen said. “She’s going to continue pressure to thrive for the hometown Tigers. to get better because she’s so coachable. She She added the extra support she receives from just wants to learn.” the Alexandria community makes it even more Christensen said Cheeseman’s dedication and special. work ethic after her freshman season stood out.

“There’s more family and friends. When I look He noted she put plenty of extra time in the into the crowd, I see my high school teachers, gym during the summer and offseason, which neighbors and younger athletes,” Cheeseman led to her earning a starting spot at the start of said. “That’s really awesome for me.” the season.

And even minutes after winning the national “I could tell this is where she wanted to be championship, Cheeseman didn’t shy away and she wanted to lead the team,” Christensen from looking towards her junior season. She didn’t back down from that outlook a few days said.

Cheeseman continued to hit big shots for the after the game, either.

“We have some incoming freshmen that can Tigers during the national tournament and finished the championship game with 26 points. provide a lot for our team,” Cheeseman said.

She had strings of seven and eight consecutive “We have to keep the pedal to the ground.”

halftime and 57-45 after three quarters.

Southeastern touted 6-foot-6 center Marlena Schmidt and the Fire were the only team to have more height and size than the Tigers in a game this season. To account for the Fire’s size, DWU head coach Jason Christensen said DWU did not switch any screens on defense, which was the first time the Tigers did that all season. It worked, as Schmidt was held to 10 points and fouled out, while Ana Richter, who was averaging 23.3 points, was held to 12 points.

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NAIA championship: DWU 82, Concordia 59 SIOUX CITY, Iowa — With a national title on the line, there was no stopping DWU in this one.

Facing Concordia for the fourth time, the Tigers trounced their GPAC rivals 82-59 on March 13.

DWU led by as many as 30 points in the contest, drilling 15-of-31 3-pointers to shoot past the Bulldogs.

Kynedi Cheeseman scored a game-high 26 points, while Ashley Bray added 21 points.

Chesney Nagel added 12 points and Rylie Osthus recorded seven points, nine assists and six rebounds. The Tigers hit five 3-pointers in the first quarter to lead 21-14, then blitzed the Bulldogs in the second quarter. DWU used a 17-0 run and held Concordia to five points for a 40-19 halftime lead. Concordia was never able to recover as the Tigers led 63-37 after three quarters and cruised in the fourth quarter to the victory.

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NAIA semifinals: DWU 81, Saint Xavier 66 SIOUX CITY, Iowa — In what turned out to be the closest tournament game for DWU, the Tigers dominated the fourth quarter to earn another double-digit victory. Holding a 56-54 lead after three quarters, DWU closed the game with a 19-4 run to book a spot in the championship game with an 81-66 victory over Saint Xavier (Ill.) in the semifinals on March 12.

The turning point came early in the fourth quarter, when two-time NAIA national player of the year Kara Krolicki fouled out with 2 minutes and 48 second left in the game, picking up three fouls in a matter of minutes.

Krolicki finished the game with 24 points, but DWU flipped a one-point deficit into a 15-point win in the final frame. Kynedi Cheeseman scored 16 points the fourth quarter and finished with 27 points, while Ashley Bray had 15 points, Rylie Osthus added 14 points and Amber Bray recorded 10 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double.

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2018 DWU COMMEMORATIVE SECTION

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FUN From Page 3

tournament, the Tigers were just excited to be on the big stage for the first time. They played like they had nothing to lose because earlier that season they were picked to finish eighth in the

Great Plains Athletic Conference and they weren’t supposed to be at the national tournament.

After the unexpected run to the national quarterfinals, expectations were sky high for the 2016-17 season. DWU was tabbed to win the GPAC and reached the No. 1 ranking early in the season. But by the time

March 2018

the national tournament rolled around, expectations and pressure had taken their toll. The Tigers were a bit more strained, and the team fell in the second round.

That set the stage for this season, where the Tigers knew they had the talent to compete for a national championship.

Throughout the season, DWU had to find its winning identity, built through attention to detail and having fun.

Yes, the Tigers knew the importance of playing tough defense, avoiding turnovers, grabbing more rebounds and scoring consistently. But after winning ugly over Southern Oregon 76-61 in the second round,

a game where DWU committed a season-high 36 turnovers, the Tigers committed to avoid playing afraid to lose.

“We’re supposed to lose,” Bray said after the Southern Oregon game. “We’re going to go out there and leave it all on the floor.”

The pressure was off as DWU embraced the “underdog” role in the next three games.

Something sure clicked after that Southern Oregon game, because the “underdogs” went on to win three games over three No. 1 seeds by a combined 52 points.

It’s an incredible feat that will be analyzed for years to come.

But just ask the players, it started with having fun.

SUCCESS From Page 5

Matt Gade / Republic

Dakota Wesleyan’s Rylie Osthus, left, Meghan Travis, center, and Chesney Nagel celebrate the Tigers’ NAIA Division II National Championship on March 13 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

DWU also plays in such a unique arena and with a terrific fanbase, both of which are assets most NCAA Division II schools would desire. If they were playing in the Summit League this season -- and given that the Tigers scared South Dakota State earlier in the season -- DWU’s women’s team could have beaten a number of Summit squads, and certainly outdrawn them in attendance.

All of it proves how good the program has been and currently is. But in case anyone asks, the Tigers now have the hardware to back it up.

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March 2018

Matt Gade / Republic

Dakota Wesleyan University women’s basketball team takes a photo following the NAIA Division II National Championship on March 13 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

DWU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON BOX SCORE 3-pointers: DWU 303-803 (37.7 pct.) (Ashley Bray 79-171, Cheeseman 75-215, Amber Bray 55113, Mathews 27-70, Osthus 21-59, Carr 14-55, Nagel 14-47, Mieras 7-20, Karst 7-30, Stofferahn 1-1, Travis 1-3, Schuh 1-9, Hale 1-1, Walder 0-3, Bartscher 1-5, Hawkins 0-1), Opponents: 218797 (27.4 pct.).

Rebounds-offensive: DWU 1479-420 (38.9 per game/11.1 offensive per game): Amber Bray 248-62, Ashley Bray 205-55, Nagel 180-38, Osthus 171-53, Carr 171-57, Cheeseman 141-42, Mieras 112-24, Mathews 50-25, Karst 62-19, Stofferahn 21-9, Travis 16-4, Schuh 6-3. Walder 5-0. Hawkins 5-0, Hale 4-1, Bartscher 3-1, Oppo-

Congrats

nents rebounding: 1021-302 (26.9 per game/7.9 offensive per game).

Assists — 743 (19.6 per game): Osthus 203, Nagel 115, Cheeseman 111, Amber Bray 79, Ashley Bray 74, Carr 46, Mathews 37, Karst 31, Mieras 28, Travis 4, Bartscher 4, Hale 3, Hawkins 3, Walder 2, Stofferahn 2, Schuh 1. Opponents assists: 354 (9.3 per game).

Turnovers — 542 (14.3 per game): Cheeseman 99, Osthus 96, Nagel 64, Ashley Bray 55, Amber Bray 50, Mieras 31, Mathews 31, Karst 25, Travis 7, Stofferahn 4, Schuh 4, Hawkins 4, Hale 2, Walder 2, Bartscher 0. Opponents’ turnovers: 568 (14.9 per game).

Blocks — 117 (3.1 per game): Mieras 21, Osthus 20, Karst 19, Amber Bray 17, Ashley Bray 13, Nagel 8, Cheeseman 4, Mathews 2, Bartscher 1, Schuh 1, Stofferahn 1. Opponents’ blocks: 92 (2.4 per game).

Steals — 262 (6.9 per game): Osthus 53, Nagel 43, Cheeseman 43, Amber Bray 38, Ashley Bray 27, Carr 17, Mathews 14, Karst 9, Mieras 8, Travis 3, Stofferahn 2, Schuh 2, Hawkins 2, Hale 1.

Team stats of note: Home games: 12-1. Away games: 12-4. Neutral site games: 8-1. Conference record: 16-4. Games started: Osthus 37, Nagel 37, Cheeseman 37, Amber Bray 36, Ashley Bray 35, Carr 4, Karst 3, Mathews 1.

Lady Tigers!

Good Win Lady Tigers!

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Scoring format: FGM-FGA FTM-FTA total points Kynedi Cheeseman 192-449 108-123 567 Ashley Bray 190-349 84-94 543 Amber Bray 176-322 110-126 517 Rylie Osthus 133-277 92-123 379 Jessica Mieras 128-234 29-39 292 Sarah Carr 109-219 38-51 270 Madison Mathews 47-119 13-20 134 Chesney Nagel 40-127 40-59 133 Makaela Karst 48-89 22-29 125 Mikaela Stofferahn 17-36 12-17 47 Meghan Travis 9-17 4-5 23 Sam Schuh 5-19 2-4 13 Lindsey Hale 1-3 2-2 5 Mateya Walder 0-5 3-3 3 Kacey Bartscher 1-5 0-0 0 3 Rachel Hawkins 0-4 0-0 0 Totals 10962274 (48.2 pct.) 559-695 (80.4 pct) 3054 / 80.4 ppg.

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2018 DWU COMMEMORATIVE SECTION

“It’s been an awesome week. We have some amazing kids and some amazing fans. We could not have done it without them. We have a great thing going here at Dakota Wesleyan. From the girls, to the fans, to the administration, to the community, it’s a really special thing we have.”

— DWU Coach Jason Christensen

TIGER FANS: Thanks for your support!

DAKOTA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY Home of the 2018 NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball National Champions

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March 2018