OMAHA, Neb. – College of Saint Mary came out strong in the first half, but couldn't hold on as a hot-shooting Dakota Wesleyan University squad controlled the second half.

The Tigers defeated CSM 86-59 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference contest Saturday.

The lead switched back-and-forth in the first quarter and DWU ended with a 20-19 advantage. The Tigers outscored the Flames 18-12 in the second quarter for a 38-31 halftime lead. But DWU dominated the third quarter and canned six 3-pointers to outscore the home team 30-11 in the frame. The Tigers ended the game by besting CSM 18-17 in the final frame.

"That was easily one of the best first halves we have played this year," CSM Coach Kirk Walker said. "We really competed and were very physical. I felt like we were going to be able to keep it going but they shot lights out in the third quarter from three and we rushed a little bit in our half-court offense. We had some untimely turnovers during a couple of their scoring runs that just took any momentum away.

"We didn't match up inside with them with some of our rotations but I felt like every one of our players really did a good job of trying to make it tough on them inside."

Dakota Wesleyan shot 54 percent from the floor, 50 percent from long distance and 73 percent from the charity stripe. CSM shot 49 percent, 38 percent and 54 percent, respectively.

Clare Lewandowski (SR/Lincoln, Neb.) led the Flames with 17 points. Teammate Bailey White (SR/Council Bluffs, Iowa) scored 14, Madelyn Turner (SR/Bennington, Neb.) knocked in 11 and Kaylin Garza (FR/Belle Fourche, S.D.) finished with seven. Kenzi Hoit (SR/Omaha, Neb.) had a team-high six rebounds.

"I thought Bailey played probably her best game of her career in being aggressive to the basket and being physical on defense," Walker said. "Clare was really aggressive on the offensive end again and battled inside on defense. Kaylin and Madelyn Gaughen (FR/Cedar Bluffs, Neb.) were as aggressive as they've been all year and did some really good things. I really am happy for our players with the effort and intensity they played with today.

"Hopefully we can bring that kind of intensity Wednesday when we travel to Midland."

The Flames are now 2-16 in the GPAC and 5-19 overall. DWU improves to 11-7, 17-7. College of Saint Mary plays at Midland University at 6 p.m. Wednesday.