January 4, 2019

Photos credit by Karen Giles

MADISON, S.D. – After Dakota State (S.D.) built up the largest lead of the game in the first-half Friday evening at DSU Fieldhouse, Presentation (S.D.) used a 41-15 scoring outburst from late first-half through mid-way second-half to secure an 85-77 North Star Athletic Association men's basketball conference victory. 

Dakota State dropped to 5-13 overall record and 0-2 record in league play.  Presentation lifted their overall record to 10-6 and remained undefeated in conference action with a 2-0 record.

Justin Folkers opened up the game by scoring five straight points to give DSU a 5-0 lead with nineteen minutes and two seconds on the clock. 

Holding on to an 8-5 lead, the Trojans went on an 11-4 scoring run to gain the first double-digit lead of the game at 19-9 with 14 minutes left in the first-half.  DSU went 4-of-6 from the field during the scoring run.

After the Saints cut down the Trojans' lead down to six points at 22-16, DSU made three consecutive 3-point plays to earn the biggest lead of the game.  Carson Rentz drained back-to-back 3-pointers, followed by Cody Muilenburg's 3-point play to give DSU the biggest lead of the game at 31-16 with 8:30 left before intermission.

With DSU leading 37-22, PC stormed back by closing the first half with an 18-4 surge in the final 4:59.  Mychal Deas made a half-court shot with no time left in the first-half. as the Saints trimmed Trojans' lead to 41-40.

Presentation shot 53.1 percent from the field (17-of-32) in the first ten minutes of the game.  Dakota State was 46.7 percent from the field (14-of-30) in the first-half.  The Saints outscored the Trojans 24-8 inside the paint in the first-half.

Jalen Guidry opened up the second-half with basket inside the paint to give Presentation with its first lead of the game at 42-41 with 19:52 on the clock.  The Saints extended their scoring run to 22-4 after a basket by Quadre Lollis with 19:23 left (PC led 44-41).

The Trojans knotted the game at 44-44 with 18:09 remaining, then the Saints went on an 8-0 run to grab a 52-44 lead.  During the scoring run, PC was 3-of-3 from the field.

Lollis made a field goal (assisted by Guidry) to give PC their first double-digit lead at 63-52 with 13:43 on the clock.

Dakota State could get no closer than five points when Rentz hit a 3-pointer with 12:10 left, cutting Presentation's lead to 65-60.

The Saints maintained control with their lead between eight- and 12-points for the remainder of the game.  PC outscored DSU 45-36 in the second-half.

Four Trojans started scored in double digits, led by Rentz with a season-high 22 points.  He was 7-of-13 from the field, including 6-of-12 3-pointers and converted both free-throws.  He also registered a season-high four steals.

Folkers added 17 points, surpassing Ryan Burrgraff for the tenth most career points in the Trojan men's basketball school record.  Folkers amassed 1,282 points since the 2015-16 season while Burggraff tallied 1,280 career points from 2001-05.  Folkers also collected nine rebounds in the game.

Brady Van Holland scored 15 points and dished out a season-high six assists for Dakota State.  Brady Elder had 12 points.  Elder and Van Holland each grabbed five rebounds.  Muilenburg had two blocked shots.

Deas led the Saints with a double-double of 22 points (7-of-12 field goals, 4-of-9 3-pointers and 4-of-5 free-throws) and earned 11 rebounds.  Lollis added 21 points (10-of-14 field goals) and registered seven rebounds.  Guidry tallied 16 points, contributed a game-high seven assists and stole the ball three times.

Devonta Brooks had 13 points (5-of-6 field goals) off the bench for Presentation.  He also had six rebounds and three assists.

PC shot 52.3 percent overall from the field (34-of-65) compared to DSU 45.2 percent (28-of-62).  The Trojans were 10-of-30 3-pointers while the Saints were 8-of-23 from the 3-point arc.

Dakota State went to the free-throw line 16 times, making 11 free-throws (68.8 percent).  Presentation was 9-of-15 free-throws (60 percent).

The Saints won the rebounding battle, outrebounding the Trojans 41-31.  PC outscored DSU 13-5 in second-chance points and 48-26 inside the paint.

Dakota State looks to bounce back in the winning column Saturday evening.  The Trojans host Dickinson State (N.D.) in another North Star conference battle.  Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse.

Presentation heads south as they visit Bellevue (Neb.) in the NSAA conference contest.  The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Gordon Lozier Center in Bellevue.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director

Prostrollo Auto Mall - Game Day Sponsor DSU Athletics would like to say many thank you for your long-time support!

Honorary Captain - Nick Prostrollo

Halftime Contest