November 5, 2017

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) took advantage of making 34-of-35 free-throws Sunday evening, pulling away past Dakota State (S.D.) 94-69 in men's basketball action on the second day of the South Dakota NAIA Classic at the Sanford Pentagon's Heritage Court.

Dakota State fell to 3-2 overall record.  Dakota Wesleyan, ranked No. 10 in the NAIA Men's Basketball Division II Coaches' Preseason Top 25 poll, remained undefeated this season with a 4-0 record.

The Trojans opened up the game with an 8-3 lead with 18 minutes, 25 seconds on the clock, thanks to a 3-pointer by Maurice Arrington, a lay-up by Justin Folkers and a 3-pointer by Kevin Daniels. 

With DSU leading a 21-20, the Tigers went on a 23-9 scoring outburst for a 44-30 lead with 5:45 remaining in the first-half.

Bobby Farquah made a lay-up with less than 30 seconds left as the Trojans reduced their deficit into single digit at 52-44.  DWU shot 58.6 percent from the field (17-of-29) in the first twenty minutes of the game compared to DSU 46.9 percent (15-of-32).  The Tigers were 16-of-17 from the free-throw line while the Trojans were 10-of-11 free-throws.

DSU's Folkers kicked off the second-half with a lay-up to cut DWU's lead to 52-46 with 19:10 remaining.  From there, the Tigers went on a 15-3 scoring run for 67-49 lead with 14:01 left.

Trailing at 69-51, the Trojans scored 12 straight points as the Tigers' lead shrunk down to six points at 69-63 with 9:09 remaining.

Dakota Wesleyan held Dakota State to six points for the rest of the second-half, pulling away for the victory.  The Tigers scored a total of 25 points in the final 7:14 of the game.

DWU was 42.3 percent from the field in the second-half (11-of-26) while DSU was 36.7 percent (11-of-30 field goals).  The Tigers were perfect 18-of-18 from the free-throw line compared to the Trojans 1 free-throw in 3 tries.

Daniels led Dakota State with 17 points.  He also had six rebounds and contributed four assists.  Folkers added 13 points on his 6-of-7 field goal shooting.  Josh McGreal scored 10 points off the bench.  Keeon Johnson had nine points. 

Arrington produced five assists for the Trojans.  Johnson stole the ball twice. 

Jason Spicer tallied 31 points and grabbed 8 rebounds for DWU.  He was 15-of-15 from the free-throw line.  Nygel Drury scored 21 points.  Ty Hoglund added 18 points.  Trae Vandeberg had 12 points and 7 rebounds.

Spicer dished out seven assists for the Tigers.  Vandeberg registered four assists.  Drury and Tyson Smiley each had two steals.

Dakota Wesleyan shot 50.9 percent from the field (28-of-55) compared to Dakota State 41.9 percent (26-of-62). DSU was 6-of-21 from the 3-point line while DWU was 4-of-20 3-pointers.

The Tigers posted a 97.1 free-throw percentage in the game.  The Trojans went to the free-throw line 14 times, converting 11 free-throws (78.6 percent).

DWU outrebounded DSU 36-27.  The Trojans' bench outscored the Tigers' bench 21-6.

Dakota State returns home to kick off their four-game home stand at DSU Fieldhouse.  The Trojans host Midland (Neb.) in a non-conference action on Wednesday evening.  Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director