January 11, 2021

ELLENDALE, N.D. – Despite leading by 15 points in the second-half, Dakota State (S.D.) needed an overtime to hold off Trinity Bible (N.D.) 79-77 in a non-conference men's basketball game at Ray Ulmer Fieldhouse.  The game was a make-up contest from Nov. 14.  The Trojans halted the Lions' six-game winning streak to kick off their five-game road stretch in two weeks.

Dakota State improved to 4-8 overall record, while Trinity Bible fell to 6-6 overall record.  Both teams were playing their third game in four days.  It was the first road victory this season for the Trojans.

DSU returns to their North Star Athletic Association action this weekend on the road.  The Trojans visit the conference's leader Mayville State (N.D.) on Friday evening.  Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at Lewy Lee Fieldhouse in Mayville, N.D.

Dakota State travels to Aberdeen, S.D. on Saturday to take on Presentation (S.D.) in another North Star conference action.  The game is set for 5 p.m. at Strode Center.

Dakota State (S.D.) 79, Trinity Bible (N.D.) 77 – FINAL

• Dakota State and Trinity Bible went through five ties and three lead changes in the first thirteen-and-half minutes of the game. 
• The Trojans opened with a five-point lead after a 3-point play by Jade Burma, earning a 14-9 lead with 13:12 left in the first half.
• TBC then answered with a 7-0 scoring run to overtake a 17-14 lead after a 3-pointer by Caleb Phillips with 10:16 on the clock in first.
• DSU's Gare Ewefada stole the ball and made a lay-up for the fifth tie of the game at 21-21 with 6:26 left before intermission.
• Logan Klitzke drained a 3-pointer with 2:26 remaining in first, giving the Lions its biggest lead of the first half at 29-23.
• Gavin Schipper scored five straight points as DSU cut TBC's lead to 29-28 with 1:13 to go in the first.
• After a 3-pointer by Khalil Bolden to give Trinity Bible a 32-28 lead, Josh McGreal closed the first half with a basket as the Trojans trailed 32-30.
• Dakota State was 13-of-29 from the field (44.8 percent) in the first twenty minutes of the game compared to Trinity Bible 10-of-28 field goals (35.7 percent).  The Lions were 6-of-15 from the 3-point arc, while the Trojans were 1-of-10 from the 3-point line.
• DSU kicked off the second half with a monstrous 22-5 run to grab the largest lead of the game.  Brady Van Holland hit a basket inside the paint, giving the Trojans a 52-37 lead with 12:50 remaining. 
• The Trojans led 66-54 with 4:15 to go after a basket by Ewefada (assisted by Jordan Lynn).
• Trinity Bible stormed back with a 12-0 outburst to knot the game at 66-66 with 1:09 remaining after a 3-pointer by Klitzke.
• McGreal made a free-throw, missed a free-throw and rebounded the ball to make a lay-up to give Dakota State a 69-66 lead with less than 35 seconds remaining.
• Bolden made a lay-up as Trinity Bible cut DSU's lead to 69-68 with 15 seconds left.  The Lions committed a foul with 10 seconds to go, sending Van Holland to the free-throw line.
• Van Holland missed the first free throw of the double bonus situation and made a free-throw on the second attempt for DSU's 70-68 lead.
• Austin Molan made a field goal inside the paint with less than four seconds remaining, recording the ninth tie of the game at 70-70.  DSU could not convert their scoring chance on the final possession, forcing the game into extra period.
• DSU outscored TBC 40-38 in the second half.
• Dakota State and Trinity Bible traded leads six times and tied the game twice in overtime.  Molan hit a pair of free-throws to give the Lions a 77-76 lead with less than 30 seconds left in overtime.
• McGreal scored a basket inside the paint on the ensuing possession and completed a 3-point play, giving DSU a 79-77 lead with 15 seconds to go.
• The Lions could not convert their scoring chances on the final possession as Klitzke missed a pair of 3-pointer, securing the victory for the Trojans.
• DSU outscored TBC 9-7 in overtime.  The Trojans were 4-of-8 from the field compared to the Lions 2-of-10 field goals. 
• McGreal poured in a game-high 29 points on his 13-of-18 field goals for Dakota State.  He was also 3-of-5 from the free-throw line and pulled down four rebounds.  Van Holland posted a double-double of 11 points and grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds.  He contributed five assists.
• Ewefada tallied 15 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Trojans.  Schipper added 12 points and four rebounds.  Burma scored five points off the bench.  Lynn had seven rebounds and three assists.
• Klitzke led the Lions with 24 points on his 8-of-19 field goals and 4-of-5 free-throws.  Bolden added 15 points and five assists.  Molan had a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.  Marcellus Mencarini had 10 points.
• Dakota State shot 44.9 percent overall from the field (31-of-69 field goals) compared to Trinity Bible 34.6 percent (27-of-78 field goals).  The Lions were 11-of-37 from the 3-point arc, while the Trojans were 4-of-23 3-pointers (17.4 percent).
• DSU converted 13-of-21 free-throws (61.9 percent).  TBC was 12-of-15 from the free throw line (80 percent).
• The Trojans outrebounded the Lions 42-33 in the game.  Dakota State outscored Trinity bible 38-28 inside the paint.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director