Index of Sports Press Releases

Nov. 28, 2007

Fitzgerald Leads DWU to 95-78 Victory Over Dordt

Colby Fitzgerald

Mitchell, S.D. — Junior guard Colby Fitzgerald scored a career-high 27 points to lead Dakota Wesleyan to an impressive 95-78 win over Dordt College on Wednesday (Nov. 28) in the Great Plains Athletic Conference home opener at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D. The win was the fifth straight victory for the Tigers to improve their overall record to 7-2. DWU also moves into a three-way tie for first place in the GPAC standings with a 2-0 overall record.

The Tigers now have won five straight games versus Dordt College at the Corn Palace dating back to Feb. 12, 2003.

The Defenders, who entered the game winning two of their last three games versus NAIA II Top 25 opponents, jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead early in the game. Dordt extended their lead to 11 points at 16-5, but DWU responded.

Fitzgerald hit a pair of free throws at the 9:42 mark of the game to give the Tigers a 21-20 lead, and DWU would never trail again. DWU led 42-34 at halftime despite shooting just 40.0 percent from the field.

The Tigers (7-2, 2-0) came out firing in the second half and opened up a 23 point lead at the 11:43 mark. DWU shot an astounding 66.7 percent from the floor (20-30) and finished the game with a shooting percentage of 53.3. Dordt also shot the ball well in the second half going 17-30 (56.7) but the Defenders could not stop the DWU attacking offense.

Five players reached double figures in scoring for the Tigers. Fitzgerald led the way with 27 points going 9-15 from the floor and 7-7 from the free throw line.

Preston Broughton recorded his third straight double-double scoring 15 points with 10 rebounds. Broughton also ignited the Corn Palace crowd with a pair of highlight reel dunks, including a follow-up jam in the second half.

Marcus Vontz and Chase Walder both scored 13 points, while Scott Nelson added 10 points. Andrew Lasche, the GPAC leader in assists, led DWU with seven assists.

Dordt was led by Eric Van Maanen who scored 20 points.

Dakota Wesleyan will look to extend its current winning streak this Saturday when the Tigers travel to Crete, Neb., to face Doane College in a GPAC game at 4 p.m.