January 16, 2021

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) shot a sizzling 64.3 percent from the field along with 11-of-18 free-throws in the final twenty minutes, propelling to an 80-71 North Star Athletic Association men's basketball victory over Presentation (S.D.) at Strode Center Saturday evening.  It was the first NSAA conference road victory for the Trojans this season.

DSU extended their winning streak to three games, improving to 5-8 overall record and 3-1 NSAA conference record.  The Saints lost their 10th straight game, falling to 3-15 overall record and remained winless in five North Star contests. 

Dakota State is 2-0 record on the current five-game road stretch.  The Trojans continue their conference action Saturday evening, visiting the NSAA's conference leader Mayville State (N.D.).  Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. at Lewy Lee Fieldhouse in Mayville, N.D.

Dakota State (S.D.) 80, Presentation (S.D.) 71 – FINAL

• Brady Van Holland drained a 3-pointer (assisted by Josh McGreal) to give Trojans a 3-0 opening lead with nineteen minutes and eight seconds on the clock.
• Presentation went on 14-6 scoring run to gain a 20-12 lead, capped by a basket by Jalonni McCorvey with 9:32 left before halftime.
• The Saints' lead grew to 26-17 after a field goal by Ian Kelly with 6:36 on the clock in the first half.
• Trailing 30-23, DSU closed the first half with an 8-3 run from three different scorers – Gairges Daow, Ronnie Latting and Gavin Schipper – in the final 3:37 to trim PC's lead to 33-31.
• PC was 14-of-30 from the field (46.7 percent) in the first twenty minutes of the game.  DSU shot 14-of-31 field goals (45.2 percent). 
• Dakota State kicked off the second half with a 16-9 scoring run, regaining their lead to 47-42 after a basket by Daow.  The Saints were forced to burn a timeout with 13:44 remaining, as DSU was 6-of-7 from the field during the scoring outburst.
• DSU's lead continues to grow and recorded their first double-digit lead of the game at 54-44 after a basket by Lamarr Wood.  PC was forced to take another timeout with 12 minutes to go in the game.
• Leading 54-47, the Trojans roared by scoring nine straight points to record the biggest lead of the game at 63-47 with 9:07 on the clock in the second half.  DSU was 4-of-6 from the field during the scoring run, with three field goals from Daow.
• Presentation trimmed DSU's lead to 65-56 when Lawrence Chery made a basket with 7:10 left.
• The Trojans answered with another scoring run, earning their largest lead of the game for the second time.  Daow made a basket with 3:47 remaining as DSU extended their lead to 78-62.
• The Saints then made three consecutive 3-pointers from three different players as part of their 9-0 scoring run – Qaiyoom Olanlege, Ian Kelly and Jackson Becker, trimming DSU's lead to 78-71 with 2:28 to go.
• Presentation was held scoreless for the rest of the game, securing the victory for Dakota State.  The Trojans outscored the Saints 49-38 in the second half.
• DSU was 18-of-28 from the field in the final twenty minutes compared to PC 14-of-25 field goals (14-of-25 field goals).  The Saints were 6-of-10 from the 3-point arc.
• Daow scored a game-high 28 points off the bench for Dakota State.  He was 11-of-20 from the field and converted 6-of-10 free-throws.  He also had four rebounds.  Wood scored 13 points off the bench and grabbed seven rebounds.  He stole the ball twice.
• Latting added 12 points on his 5-of-6 field goals for DSU.  Schipper scored nine points and earned four rebounds.  McGreal tallied eight points and four rebounds.  Latting, McGreal, Schipper and Jordan Lynn each dished out two assists.  Lynn stole the ball three times.
• Five PC players scored in double digits, paced by Kelly with 17 points (7-of-13 field goals).  He had six rebounds and five assists.  Dwight Felton added 15 points.  Becker scored 13 points.  McCorvey had 11 points.  Olanlege scored 10 points off the bench.  He also had six rebounds.
• Dakota State shot 54.2 percent overall from the field (32-of-59 field goals) compared to Presentation 50.9 percent (28-of-55 field goals).  The Saints were 9-of-21 from the 3-point arc, while the Trojans were 3-of-7 3-pointers.
• DSU converted 13-of-24 from the free-throw line (54.2 percent).  PC was 6-of-12 free-throws (50 percent).
• The Trojans outrebounded the Saints 31-25.  Dakota State outscored Presentation 17-13 in points off turnovers and 45-13 in bench points.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director