December 9, 2017
ORANGE CITY, Iowa – Top-ranked Northwestern (Iowa) shot a blazing 59 percent from the field Saturday afternoon, ending Dakota State's (S.D.) four-game winning streak with a 111-74 non-conference victory at Bultman Center. The Trojans were held to 32.9 percent field goal shooting.
Dakota State's season-high four-game winning streak came to an end, falling to 7-5 overall record (receiving votes in the national poll). Northwestern, ranked No. 1 in the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 poll, lifted their overall record to 11-2.
Northwestern never trailed in the game as they opened up with their first double digit lead at 32-21 with 9 minutes, 25 seconds to go in the first-half. The Trojans would trim their deficit down to seven points on two different occasions – 44-37 after a field goal by Justin Folkers with 3:11 on the clock and 46-39 after a pair of free-throws by Kevin Daniels with 2:53 remaining before intermission.
The Red Raiders closed the first-half with a 19-6 outburst in the final 2:45 of the first-half, expanding their lead to 63-45 by halftime.
NWIA shot 64.3 percent from the field in the first twenty minutes, converting 27 baskets in 42 attempts. DSU was held to 38.5 percent field goal shooting (15-of-39 field goals).
The Red Raiders outscored the Trojans 48-29 in the second-half. Northwestern was 52.8 percent from the field (19-of-36) compared to Dakota State 27 percent (10-of-37 field goals).
Daniels scored 30 points on his 10-of-23 field goal shooting, including 4-of-9 from the 3-point arc for DSU. He was also 6-of-8 from the free-throw line. Folkers added 19 points (7-of-14 field goals, 2-of-4 from the 3-point line and 3-of-4 free-throws). Brendon Boomsma scored six points. Josh McGreal, Falcon Albers and Bobby Farquah each scored four points.
Maurice Arrington pulled down seven rebounds for the Trojans. Farquah added six rebounds. Daniels had five rebounds.
Boomsma contributed four assists for Dakota State. Brady Elder added two assists. Keeon Johnson, Folkers, Arrington, Daniels and Elder each registered a steal.
Colton Kooima poured in a game-high 33 points on his 15-of-22 field goal shooting and 1-of-2 free-throw for the Red Raiders. He dished out six assists. Derek Buysse added 19 points off the bench, where he went 7-of-15 from the field with 5-of-11 coming from the 3-point line.
Nathan Wedel and Spencer Pauley each posted a double-double of 11 points and earned 10 rebounds for NWIA. Riley Francis had 11 points and 6 rebounds. Parker Mulder had six assists.
Northwestern was 46-of-78 from the field compared to Dakota State 25-of-76 field goals. The Red Raiders drained 13 3-pointers in 37 attempts while the Trojans were 7-of-29 3-pointers.
DSU was 17-of-20 from the free-throw line. NWIA was 6-of-8 free-throws.
The Red Raiders outrebounded the Trojans 47-38.
Dakota State returns home next weekend as they continue their six-game North Star conference home stand. The Trojans host Bellevue (Neb.) next Saturday at 5 p.m. and Mayville State (N.D.) at 3 p.m. next Sunday. Both games will be at the DSU Fieldhouse in Madison, S.D.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
