November 13, 2015

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota State University (S.D.) men's basketball team faced an NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason 'Top 25' nationally-ranked team for the second straight game Friday afternoon at the Corn Palace.  No. 20 Tabor (Kan.) outscored the Trojans 20-4 in points off turnovers in an 83-76 victory on the first day of the Farmers State Bank Classic TeamMakers Classic, hosted by Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.).

Dakota State, receiving votes in the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, fell to 2-3 overall record.  Tabor, member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, remained undefeated 5-0 overall record.

The Blue Jays opened up with a 15-6 lead in the first five minutes and fifty-six seconds.  During the scoring run, TC was 7-of-10 from the field while DSU struggled by shooting 3-of-9 field goals.

Dakota State then went on an outburst by converting 9-of-11 field goals – including eight consecutive baskets – for a 28-27 lead after Tanner Heiser's 3-pointer with 5:28 left in the first-half.  Tabor was held to 4-of-13 from the field during Trojans' scoring run.

The Trojans expanded their lead to 42-35, but the Blue Jays closed the first-half with a 5-0 run in the final 1:45 to cut DSU's lead to 42-40 by halftime.

DSU shot a blazing 62.1 percent from the field (18-of-29) in the first-half, including 6-of-9 from the 3-point line.  Tabor was 48.4 percent from the field (15-of-31) and 2-of-7 3-pointers.  TC was 8-of-12 free-throws while DSU did not attempt a free throw in the first twenty minutes of the game.

Knotted 53-53, the Blue Jays exploded for a 17-9 scoring run to take a 70-62 lead with less than five minutes remaining in the game.  Tabor had the largest lead of the game 76-66 with 2:05 left.

Dakota State could get no closer than three points after using an 8-1 scoring spurt to trim TC's lead to 77-74 with 49 seconds left after Kyle Kilgore's basket.

Tabor secured the game by making four free-throws and a lay-up in the final 25 seconds, outscoring DSU 6-2.

Derek Meger led Dakota State with 18 points on his 8-of-11 shooting from the field (converted both free-throws).  Heiser added 14 points.  He was 5-of-7 from the field and drained four 3-pointers in six attempts.  Brendon Boomsma had 13 points.  Kilgore and Justin Folkers each scored eight points.  Ian Barse had seven points.

Kilgore pulled down nine rebounds for DSU.  Meger and Nathaniel Rauen each added five rebounds. 

Meger, Boomsma and Adam Hofer each dished out three assists for the Trojans.  Meger had two steals.  Kilgore and Meger each recorded a blocked shot.

Lance Carter poured in 19 points on his 9-of-16 shooting from the field for the Blue Jays.  Jonathan Gibson posted a double-double of 13 points and earned 11 rebounds.  D'Marco Smith had 12 points.  John Jedneak scored 11 points off the bench.

Carter produced six assists for Tabor.  Alan Urrutia stole the ball five times.  Jonathan Gibson had four blocked shots.

Dakota State shot well than Tabor in the game.  The Trojans were 53.4 percent overall from the field (31-of-58) compared to the Blue Jays 48.4 percent (31-of-64).  DSU was 9-of-16 from the 3-point line (56.3 percent), while TC was 5-of-15 from the 3-point arc (33.3 percent).

Tabor went to the free-throw line 23 times, making 16 free-throws (69.6 percent).  Dakota State was 5-of-7 free-throws (71.4 percent).

The Blue Jays had a slim rebounding edge over the Trojans 28-27. 

DSU committed 25 turnovers in the game, while TC only had 10 turnovers.  Tabor stole the ball 14 times compared to Trojans' five steals.

Dakota State concludes the Farmers State Bank TeamMakers Classic Saturday afternoon versus Oglala Lakota (S.D.).  Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director