December 1, 2017

PHOTO GALLERY - Photos credits by Cody Welu

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) faced an opponent that was ranked No. 18 in the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 poll for the second straight game Friday evening at DSU Fieldhouse.  The Trojans defeated Jamestown (N.D.) 69-61 in the North Star conference season opener for both teams.

DSU earned their third straight victory, including the last two games versus No. 18-ranked teams (defeated then No. 18 and current No. 9-ranked Briar Cliff, Iowa 93-80 on Nov. 21).  The Trojans, receiving votes' recognition in the first edition of the national poll, lifted their overall record to 6-4 and 1-0 record in North Star.  Jamestown, who was playing their first game as a ranked team, fell to 9-3 overall record and 0-1 NSAA conference.

Both teams struggled from the field in the opening minutes of the game.  UJ earned the first lead of the game at 1-0 after a free-throw by Leighton Sampson with 18 minutes, 8 seconds on the clock.  Sampson made the game's first field goal for Jimmies' 3-0 lead with 17:24 left in the first-half.

Dakota State, who missed their first five shots of the game, ended their scoring drought with a basket by Justin Folkers with 16:33 on the clock (DSU trailed 3-2).

Trailing 16-10, Justin Folkers and Daniels each scored six points as part of DSU's 12-0 outburst to gain a 22-16 lead with 7:51 to go in the first-half.  During that scoring run, the Trojans were perfect 5-of-5 from the field.

The Jimmies answered back with an 8-0 run to regain their lead at 24-22 with 5:50 left before intermission.

Knotted at 29-29, Dakota State shut down Jamestown 5-0 in the final 2:48 of the first half to earn a 34-29 halftime lead.  A 3-pointer by Brendon Boomsma gave DSU a 32-29 lead with 1:13 on the clock followed by a basket by Bobby Farquah for a five-point lead with less than 15 seconds remaining in the first.

There were five lead changes and four ties in the first twenty minutes of the game.  DSU shot 50 percent from the field (14-of-28) while holding UJ to 35.3 percent (12-of-34 field goals).

Jamestown trimmed Dakota State's lead to 36-35 after a basket by Sampson with 18:13 remaining.  The Trojans increased their lead to 46-40 after a 3-pointer by Boomsma with 14:08 on the clock.

With DSU leading 48-42, the Jimmies used a 10-4 run to tie the game for the fifth time at 52-52 with 9:04 on the clock (UJ's Jon Purintun 3-pointer knotted the game at 52-52).

Dakota State maintained their lead between two- and six-points for a span of nearly seven minutes before pulling away late.  Leading 64-58, the Trojans made a defensive stop as Keeon Johnson stole the ball and followed up with a 3-pointer for DSU's largest lead of the game at 67-58 with 1:17 left.

A 3-pointer by Jimmie Jace Allard cut DSU's lead to 67-61 with less than 35 seconds to go.  Dakota State would secure the game after a pair of free-throws by Falcon Albers with 10 seconds to go.

DSU outscored UJ 35-32 in the second-half.  The Trojans shot a sizzling 51.9 percent from the field (14-of-27) while the Jimmies shot 41.9 percent (13-of-31 field goals).

Folkers poured in a game-high 24 points for Dakota State.  He was 9-of-14 from the field and went perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.  Daniels added 11 points.  Farquah and Johnson each tallied 10 points.  Boomsma had six points.

Johnson and Folkers each collected eight rebounds for the Trojans. 

Daniels dished out five assists for DSU.  Maurice Arrington added four assists.  Johnson stole the ball four times, while Daniels had three steals.

Sampson led the Jimmies with 18 points (8-of-16 field goals).  Purintun added 10 points.  Jack Talley scored eight points off the bench.

Sampson pulled down eight rebounds for UJ.  Kevin Oberweiser added seven rebounds.  He contributed four assists and stole the ball twice in the game.  Sam Johnson had two steals.  Johnson and Purintun each had three steals.

Dakota State shot 50.9 percent overall from the field (28-of-55 field goals) compared to Jamestown 38.5 percent (25-of-65 field goals).  Both DSU and UJ drained six 3-pointers in the game.

The Trojans were 7-of-9 free-throws while the Jimmies were 5-of-8 from the free-throw line. 

DSU outscored UJ 38-30 inside the paint.  Both teams scored 16 points off turnovers.

Dakota State stays home on Sunday afternoon as they continue their North Star conference action versus Presentation (S.D.).  The game is scheduled for 4 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse.

Jamestown remains on the road Saturday evening, visiting Mayville State (N.D.) in NSAA contest.  Tip-off from the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse is set for 5 p.m. in Mayville, N.D.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director

Trojan Athletic Club Check Presentation