October 28, 2017

PHOTO GALLERY - Photo credits by Cody Welu

MADISON, S.D. – Four Dakota State (S.D.) players scored in double digits Saturday evening in the second game of their own home tournament, storming past Oak Hills (Minn.) 96-65 at DSU Fieldhouse.  It was the season opener for both teams.

Since head coach Gary Garner arrival at Dakota State in 2009-10, the Trojans had won nine straight season-opening games.  Prior to OH-DSU game, Doane (Neb.) defeated fellow North Star Athletic Association's conference member Presentation (S.D.) 78-62.

Oak Hills and Dakota State went through four lead changes and one tie through the first seven-and-half minutes of the game.  Trailing 12-11, the Trojans used a 12-2 outburst to earn a 23-14 lead after a 3-pointer by Falcon Albers with 9:38 on the clock.

Bobby Farquah hit a 3-pointer with 6:25 left in the first-half to give DSU its first double-digit lead at 30-18.

Leading 30-22, the Trojans hit a pair of 3-pointers by Brady Elder and Albers followed by a pair of free-throws by Kevin Daniels to widen their lead to 38-22 with 3:32 remaining before intermission.

The Wolfpack closed the first-half with an 11-4 run, including a 3-pointer by Duke Abalos to end the first half.

Dakota State was 40 percent from the field in the first twenty minutes, converting 16 baskets in 40 attempts.  Oak Hills was held to 39.4 percent shooting (13-of-33 field goals).

OH could get no closer than seven points on two occasions at 42-35 with 19:49 left and 56-49 with 16:34 remaining before DSU pulled away for the victory.

The Trojans regained their double digit lead at 61-49 after a 3-pointer by Josh McGreal with 14:44 on the clock.

Dakota State outscored Oak Hills 54-32 in the second-half.  The Trojans shot 48.7 percent from the field (19-of-39 field goals) while the Wolfpack shot 36.4 percent (12-of-33 field goals).

Daniels posted a triple-double for the Trojans.  He scored 12 points, dished out 10 assists and pulled down 10 rebounds.  McGreal posted a double-double with 14 points and collected 10 rebounds off the bench.  Justin Folkers scored a game-high 19 points.

Farquah tallied 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds off the bench for DSU.  He also had seven rebounds.  Keeon Johnson and Maurice Arrington each scored nine points.  Albers had eight points.  Brendon Boomsma scored seven points.

Elder produced five assists for Dakota State.  Johnson added four assists and six rebounds.  Arrington had nine rebounds.  McGreal stole the ball twice. 

Abalos led the Wolfpack with 13 points.  Jaren Brooks and Ezekiel Cook each added 11 points.  Phillip Harris had 10 points.  Cook had six rebounds.  Cook and Abalos each had two assists.

Dakota State shot 44.3 percent overall from the field, making 35 baskets in 79 attempts.  The Trojans were 9-of-38 from the 3-point line.  Oak Hills was 37.9 percent from the field (25-of-66 field goals) and 6-of-26 3-pointers.

DSU converted 17-of-19 free-throws (89.5 percent) compared to OH 9-of-15 free-throws (60 percent).

Dakota State outrebounded Oak Hills 59-31 in the game.  The Trojans' 59 rebounds is the fifth-most rebounds in the single-game school record book.  DSU registered 18 offensive boards while OH had 4 offensive rebounds.  The Trojans outscored the Wolfpack 14-2 in second-chance points.

Dakota State continues their action Sunday afternoon in their own tournament at DSU Fieldhouse.  Presentation will take on Oak Hills at 1 p.m., followed by the Trojans taking on Doane (who is coached by former DSU men's basketball player and assistant coach under Garner – Ian McKeithen) at 3 p.m.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director