Index of Sports Press Releases

Dec. 21, 2007

DWU Men’s Basketball Team Advances to Championship Game

CHICAGO — Dakota Wesleyan University shot an outstanding 62.5 percent from the field in the second half to build on a one-point halftime lead and defeated the host team, Saint Xavier University, 78-63 in a semifinal game at the Saint Xavier University Midwest Tournament on Thursday (Dec. 20).

The Tigers (11-4 overall) came out slow in the first half and were down 8-0 at the 18:22 mark, but DWU would go on a 19-2 run in the next eight minutes to take a 19-10 lead. The Cougars fought back to close in on the Tigers, and DWU hung on to a 36-35 halftime lead.

Dakota Wesleyan came out hot in the second half and earned a five-point lead. The Cougars mounted a comeback midway through the second half to cut the lead to one point, but the Tigers connected on back-to-back layups by Preston Broughton and Ike Muoneke. Brady Wiebe also added a layup and two free throws to push the lead back up to eight points with eight minutes left to play. DWU continued its hot shooting and was able to stretch its lead to 17 with two minutes to go in the game.

Colby Fitzgerald led the Tigers with another solid offensive game, scoring 20 points by shooting 6-13 from the field and 6-8 from the free-throw line. Muoneke finished with a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds. Freshmen Wiebe and Chase Walder both came off the bench to score 10 points, and although Broughton was in foul trouble most of the second half, he finished with 10 points.

Saint Xavier was led by Alok Aiyer who finished with 17 points, and Dan Bolger came off the bench to add 14 points.

The Tigers will play Mount Marty College in the championship game at 6 p.m. on Dec. 21. The Lancers defeated Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.) in their semifinal game 80-69.