January 9, 2018

PHOTO GALLERY - Photos credits by Cody Welu

MADISON, S.D. – The Dakota State (S.D.) University Trojan men's basketball team led wire-to-wire in the non-conference clash versus in-state rival Mount Marty (S.D.) Tuesday evening at DSU Fieldhouse.  The Trojans won their 13th straight meeting in the all-time series over the Lancers, cruising to a 79-64 victory.

After suffering six-game losing skid, Dakota State won their second straight game and concluded their three-game home stand.  Mount Marty, a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference, fell to 3-16 overall record.

The Trojans started with a 6-0 run in the first 2 minutes and 37 seconds of the game, with four points coming from Justin Folkers and two points from Brendon Boomsma.  The Lancers ended the scoring drought with a 3-pointer by Cole Fiegen with 16:59 on the clock (DSU led 6-3).

DSU would widen their lead to eight points on two different occasions – after a 3-pointer by Josh McGreal (assisted by Boomsma) with 15:31 on the clock and 13-5 after a basket by McGreal (assisted by Kevin Daniels) with 14:56 left in the first period.

Mount Marty trimmed their deficit down to one point. A 3-pointer by MMC's Fiegen saw DSU's lead went down to 17-16 lead with 11:39 to go in the first-half.

The Trojans answered back with a 16-7 run to earn the biggest lead of the first-half at 32-23 after a 3-pointer by Keeon Johnson with 3:25 to go.

Mount Marty outscored Dakota State 6-1 in the final three minutes.  The Trojans held a 33-29 halftime advantage. 

DSU was 13-of-26 from the field (50 percent) in the first-half compared to MMC 7-of-20 field goals (35 percent).  The Lancers converted 12-of-15 free-throws in the first twenty minutes while the Trojans were 4-of-6 free-throws.

Folkers kicked off the second-half by scoring four straight points, extending Dakota State's lead to 37-29 with 18:55 remaining.

With DSU leading 39-32, Conlan Callahan and Fiegen each hit a 3-pointer as the Lancers cut Trojans' lead to 39-38 with 16:17 to go in the game. 

Dakota State then outscored Mount Marty 21-3 in a span of seven minutes, ballooning their lead to 60-41 with 8:57 to go in the second-half.  During that stretch, the Trojans were 8-of-12 from the field while the Lancers only made one field goal in eight tries.

DSU maintained their double-digit lead for the rest of the game, leading as many as 20 points at 76-56 with 2:47 remaining.  The Trojans outscored the Lancers 46-35 in the final twenty minutes of the game.

Four Dakota State players scored in double figures, led by Daniels with 18 points.  He was 7-of-12 from the field, including 3-of-3 from the 3-point arc.  Johnson added 15 points (5-of-7 field goals, 2-of-3 3-pointers and 3-of-4 free-throws).  Folkers tallied 13 points (5-of-6 field goals).  Bobby Farquah scored 10 points off the bench (5-of-8 field goals).

McGreal also scored nine points for the Trojans.  Brady Elder had seven points.

Maurice Arrington dished out five assists for DSU.  Boomsma, Daniels and McGreal each had four assists.  Daniels stole the ball twice.

Johnson grabbed four rebounds for the Trojans.  Folkers, Arrington, Boomsma, Daniels, McGreal, Falcon Albers and Farquah each had three rebounds.  Folkers, Daniels and Farquah each registered a blocked shot.

Marcus Mathieu scored 18 points for the Lancers.  He was 7-of-10 from the free-throw line.  Callahan added 17 points (5-of-9 from the 3-point line).  Fiegen tallied 11 points off the bench.

Shaye Bloch collected five rebounds for MMC.  Mathieu had four rebounds.  Fiegen stole the ball twice.  Jailen Billings produced four assists.

Dakota State shot a sizzling 54.5 percent from the field, making 30 baskets in 55 attempts.  The Trojans were 9-of-22 from the 3-point line (40.9 percent).  Mount Marty was 17-of-44 from the field (38.6 percent), with 10-of-20 coming from the 3-point line (50 percent).

MMC made 20-of-25 free-throws (80 percent), with 12-of-15 free-throws coming in the first twenty minutes.  DSU was 10-of-13 from the free-throw line (76.9 percent).

The Trojans outrebounded the Lancers 27-25 in the game. 

DSU outscored MMC 19-2 in points off turnovers, 30-8 inside the paint and 26-21 bench points.

Dakota State looks to extend their winning streak this weekend as they kick off their six-game North Star Athletic Association road stretch.  The Trojans visit Viterbo (Wis.) Friday evening at R.W. Beggs Gymnasium in La Crosse, Wis.  Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, DSU travels to Hanson Fieldhouse for another North Star conference action at Waldorf (Iowa).  The game is set for 5 p.m. in Forest City, Iowa.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director

	Lake County Relay for Life Check Presentation prior to the game
	All-Conference Recognition/National Scholar-Athlete Recognition Night Cross Country
	All-Conference Recognition/National Scholar-Athlete Recognition Night Volleyball
	All-Conference Recognition/National Scholar-Athlete Recognition Night Football