November 8, 2017
MADISON, S.D. – Wednesday's men's basketball non-conference game at DSU Fieldhouse saw two different tales in each half. Dakota State (S.D.) shot a blazing 66.7 percent in the first-half for a 48-37 lead, but Midland (Neb.) erased that deficit by outscoring the Trojans 52-33 in the final twenty minutes of the game for an 89-81 victory.
Dakota State fell to 3-3 overall record. Midland remained undefeated at 4-0 overall record.
The Trojans opened up the game with a 12-6 lead with 16 minutes, 48 seconds left before the Warriors called its first timeout of the game. DSU was 5-of-6 from the field during that stretch.
Dakota State extended their lead to 18-11 with 14:39 left in the first-half after a pair of 3-pointers made by Maurice Arrington and Justin Folkers.
Leading 26-21, the Trojans gained their first double-digit lead of the game at 31-21 after scoring five straight points from Falcon Albers.
A basket by Kevin Daniels gave DSU its largest lead of the game at 40-26 with 5:54 to go before the first-half.
Dakota State maintained an eleven-point lead at halftime. The Trojans made 20 baskets in 30 attempts in the first twenty minutes of the game and drained eight 3-pointers in 15 attempts. Midland was held to 39.4 percent from the field (13-of-33) and 8-of-20 from the 3-point arc (40 percent).
Keeon Johnson made a basket (assisted by Brady Elder) with 18:05 left as the Trojans regained their biggest lead of the game for the second time at 56-42.
Midland used a 19-4 outburst to grab their first lead of the game. A 3-pointer by Marti Fonolla gave the Warriors a 61-60 lead with 12:29 remaining.
With MU leading 63-61, the Warriors continued its scoring run by outscoring the Trojans 11-3 in a span of less than four minutes for a 75-64 lead.
Trailing 80-71, the Trojans went on an 8-2 scoring tear to cut MU's lead to 82-79 with 2:19 left. The Warriors would secure the game after closing the game with a 7-2 run.
Midland shot 60 percent in the second-half (18-of-30) and 9-of-16 from the 3-point line. Dakota State was 12-of-25 from the field (48 percent) and 5-of-9 3-pointers.
Folkers poured in a career-high 25 points for Dakota State. He was 11-of-14 from the field and 3-of-5 from the 3-point line. Arrington scored a season-high 20 points (7-of-12 field goals, including 6-of-11 from the 3-point line). Johnson had 11 points. Daniels scored nine points off the bench.
Daniels produced eight assists and stole the ball twice for the Trojans. Arrington, Brendon Boomsma and Elder each dished out six assists.
Arrington pulled down six rebounds for DSU. Johnson and Folkers each added four rebounds. Folkers and Arrington each recorded a blocked shot.
Ryan Williams scored a game-high 30 points for Midland. He was 10-of-17 from the field, including 6-of-11 from the 3-point arc. Chase Parsons paced with 25 points off the bench, all in the second half. He was 9-of-14 from the field and 5-of-10 from the 3-point line. Fonolla added 13 points.
TK Dixson led the Warriors with eight assists. Fonolla added five assists and registered three steals. Dixson and Fonolla each had six rebounds.
Dakota State shot a sizzling 58.2 percent from the field, making 32 baskets in 55 attempts. Midland was 31-of-63 from the field overall (49.2 percent). The Warriors drained 17 3-pointers in 36 attempts (47.2 percent) compared to the Trojans 13-of-24 3-pointers (54.2 percent).
MU was 10-of-13 from the free-throw line, while DSU was 4-of-5 free-throws.
The Warriors outrebounded the Trojans 32-26. Midland outscored Dakota State 15-6 in points off turnovers and 10-4 in second-chance points. DSU outscored MU 30-22 inside the paint.
Dakota State continues their four-game home stand Sunday as they host Grand View (Iowa). Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
