Score: Keiser 55, No. 1 Dakota Wesleyan 83
Records: Keiser (7-9), No. 1 Dakota Wesleyan (14-1)
Location: Student Life Center, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Keiser Starters: Rodriguez (G), Dyson (G), Sanabria (G), Saunders (F), Long (F)
DWU Starters: Osthus (G), Mathews (G), Karst (G), Cheeseman (F), Carr (F)

Keiser Highlights

• The Seahawks dropped the opening game of the 2018 West Palm Beach Invitational, hosted by West Palm Beach Sports Commission to the reigning NAIA National Champions, No. 1 Dakota Wesleyan.
• Keiser was led offensively by Donivan Dyson and Antigonie Sanabria with nine points apiece.
• Midori Long and Dyson pulled down six rebounds apiece while Yaire Rodriguez and Dyson had two assists apiece.

 
Turning Point
The game was tied twice in the opening minute of the second quarter before Dakota Wesleyan went on a 16-5 run to take a 36-25 advantage with 2:28 remaining in the frame.
 
How it Happened

• The squad battled through two ties before Sanabria tallied five straight points to give Keiser their largest lead of the game, 9-4 with 6:59 to go in the quarter.
• Dakota Wesleyan kept chipping away at their deficit and took their first lead of the game, 14-13, on a Makela Karst jumper in the paint with 2:50 showing.
• However, the Seahawks would end the quarter on top by two, 18-16, as Dyson converted on jumper while being fouled.
• Following two ties to open the second, DWU went on a 16-5 to establish their first double figure lead of the game, 36-25 at the 2:58 mark.
• Both teams tallied four points down the stretch with the visitors leading, 40-29 at the half.
• The Tigers outscored the Seahawks 27-9 in the third quarter to lead 67-38 with ten minutes left in regulation.
• Keiser outscored the reigning national champions, 17-16 in the fourth but fell in the contest by a final of 83-55.

 
Inside the Box Score

• The Seahawks scored 26 points in the paint and had ten second-chance points.
• Keiser received 18 points from their bench this afternoon.

Game Notes

• This was the first meeting in program history for these two teams.
• Dakota Wesleyan is the top-ranked team in the NAIA and reigning national champions.
• The Seahawks are 1-1 against teams ranked inside the top 25 poll.

Ties: 4
Lead Changes: 3
Largest Lead: Keiser (5), Dakota Wesleyan (33)
 
Team Leaders
Keiser
Points: Dyson/Sanabria (9)
Rebounds: Long/Dyson (6)
Assists: Rodriguez/Dyson (2)
 
Dakota Wesleyan
Points: Cheeseman (23)
Rebounds: Kirk/Osthus (7)
Assists: Cheeseman/Osthus (7)
 
Up Next
The Seahawks conclude the West Palm Beach Invitational tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. against No. 12 St. Francis.