November 8, 2019

MADISON, S.D. – Briar Cliff (Iowa) opened the game with a 7-0 lead Friday evening and held off late second-half rally by Dakota State (S.D.) for a 92-80 victory on the first day of the Isreal-Strong Classic, hosted by Presentation (S.D.) at Strode Center.  The Chargers, receiving votes in the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, never trailed in the game and remained undefeated with an overall record of 4-0.

Dakota State fell to 0-7 overall record.  The Trojans look to end their losing skid as they take on Oak Hills (Minn.) on the second day of the tournament Saturday at 5 p.m.

(RV) Briar Cliff (Iowa) 92, Dakota State (S.D.) 80 – FINAL

• Dakota State missed its first four shots of the game, allowing Briar Cliff opened with a 7-0 lead after Ethan Freidel made all three free-throw attempts with eighteen minutes left in the first-half.
• The Chargers widen their lead to 14-2 before the Trojans ended their drought with their first field goal.  Josh McGreal drained a 3-pointer (first field goal of the game for DSU), trailing 14-5 with less than 15 minutes left in the first.
• Briar Cliff led 43-30 by halftime.  The Chargers shot 59.3 percent from the field (16-of-27) and 5-of-11 from the 3-point line in the first-half.  The Trojans were held to 38.7 percent form the field (12-of-31) and 3-of-9 3-pointers.
• Dakota State started the second-half with an 8-2 run, thanks to their 3-of-4 field goals (with a 3-pointer each by Brady Elder and McGreal).  The Trojans cut their deficit into single digits at 47-38, while the Chargers regained their lead into double digits after a 4-0 run for 51-38 lead with 16:15 left.
• Briar Cliff maintained control between 8- and 12-point for the rest of the second-half before Dakota State mounted a comeback.  Trailing 86-74, the Trojans hit back-to-back 3-pointer by Carson Rentz and McGreal to trim BCU's lead to 86-80 with 1:51 left.
• The Chargers secured the game with a 6-0 scoring run in the final 1:06, converting all six free-throw tries.
• DSU outscored BCU 50-49 in the final twenty minutes of the game.  The Chargers shot 59.3 percent from the field (16-of-27) and converted 14-of-16 free-throws in the second-half.  Dakota State was 51.4 percent from the field (18-of-35) and 8-of-11 free-throws.
• Three Trojan players scored in double digits, led by McGreal with 21 points.  He was 8-of-14 from the field and 3-of-7 3-pointers.  He also pulled down five rebounds.  Gare Ewefada added 15 points (5-of-11 field goals and 4-of-6 free-throws).  Rentz scored 14 points off the bench (5-of-10 field goals, including 4-of-9 3-pointers). 
• Elder, Shaq Russell and Sawyer Koch each added eight points for DSU.  Koch had six rebounds, while Russell added five rebounds.  Ewefada dished out three assists.
• Jackson Lamb scored a game-high 25 points on his 9-of-17 field goals and made all five free-throws for Briar Cliff.  Freidel added 16 points (9-of-10 free-throws).  Austin Roetman had 14 points (7-of-10 field goals).  Jaden Kleinhesselink posted a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds. 
• Briar Cliff shot 59.3 percent overall from the field, making 32 baskets in 59 attempts.  Dakota State was 45.5 percent (30-of-66 field goals).  DSU hit 9-of-23 3-pointers (39.1 percent) compared to BCU 8-of-21 3-pointers (38.1 percent).
• BCU converted 20-of-23 free-throws (87 percent).  DSU was 11-of-15 from the free-throw line (73.3 percent).
• Briar Cliff outrebounded Dakota State 36-23 in the game.  The Chargers outscored the Trojans 46-28 inside the paint.  DSU outscored BCU 11-7 in points off turnovers and 30-23 in bench points.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director