Trojans win again at home

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State was held to 18 points in the first twenty minutes of the game Wednesday evening versus Mayville State (N.D.) at DSU Fieldhouse.  The Trojans overcame their sluggish start by outscoring the Comets 38-14 in the second-half to earn a 56-40 victory.  The victory gave DSU their fourth straight win and concluded their home schedule with an impressive 10-2 record.

DSU, which made their eighth straight appearance in the receiving votes of the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball national poll, matched their last season’s wins total with 18 victories.  The Trojans are 18-7 overall record and improved their Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) conference record to 4-2.

Mayville State dropped their overall record to 6-17 and 2-8 in the A.I.I.

The Trojans opened the game with a seven-point lead at 12-5 with thirteen minutes and 23 seconds left in the first-half.

The Comets held DSU scoreless in the next nine-plus minutes to earn a 24-12 lead with less than four minutes remaining before halftime (19-0 scoring run).

Dakota State broke their scoring drought as Keith Lee II made a lay-up with 3:21 left in the first-half to cut MSU’s lead to 24-14.

DSU was able to cut their deficit to eight points as Lee made a quick lay-up at the halftime buzzer.  The Comets led 26-18 at intermission.

The Comets shot a blistering 57.9 percent from the field (11-for-19) in the first twenty minutes of the game.  MSU was 4-for-6 from the 3-point line.  The Trojans struggled from the field, shooting 29.2 percent (7-for-24).  DSU was 1-for-9 from the 3-point arc and went 3-for-13 at the free-throw line.

Trailing 28-18 to start the second-half, the Trojans went on a 15-0 scoring tear to earn a five-point lead with 11:26 remaining.

DSU extended to their largest lead of the game at 5:12 left in the game (50-33).  The Comets could get no closer than 13 points on two occasions (51-38 with 2:35 left and 53-40 with 50 seconds remaining).

The Trojans held to MSU’s season-low total points (40 points).

Dakota State was 10-for-28 from the field (35.7 percent) in the second-half.  The Trojans made 17 free-throws in 21 attempts (81 percent) in the final twenty minutes of the game.  DSU held Mayville State to 21.4 percent shooting in the second-half (6-for-28).

Luke Lamb poured in a game-high 13 points for the Trojans.  He nailed down all eight free-throws.  Tyrone Gordon, Jr. added 11 points.  John Lamb had nine points.  Terrell Newton scored eight points off the bench.

Newton and Yusuf Vinson each earned eight rebounds for DSU.  Luke Lamb grabbed seven rebounds. 

Gordon, Jr. dished out five assists for the Trojans.  He stole the ball three times. 

Luke Lamb and Marcus Smith each had a blocked shot.

James Herr scored 11 points for the Comets.  Austin Emerson added eight points. 

Steve Ivory, Jr. pulled down eight rebounds.  Five Comets players each had two assists.

DSU earned the victory despite by shooting 32.7 percent overall from the field (17-for-52).  The Trojans were 2-for-16 from the 3-point range (12.5 percent).  Mayville State shot 36.2 percent overall from the field (17-for-47).  The Comets were 6-for-16 from the 3-point line (37.5 percent).

Dakota State went to the free-throw line 34 times in the game, converting 20 free-throws (58.8 percent).  Mayville State missed all four free-throw attempts.

DSU outreboundd the Comets 46-30 in the game.

The Trojans outscored MSU 10-0 in fast-break points, 19-8 in points off turnovers, 28-12 inside the paint and 14-5 in second-chance points.

It was the final collegiate home career game at DSU Fieldhouse for three seniors – Gordon, Jr., Lee II and Luke Lamb.

Dakota State looks to extend their winning streak as they visit Midland (Neb.) of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) on Saturday afternoon.  Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Events Center in Fremont, Neb.