January 17, 2021

MAYVILLE, N.D. – A 20-3 monstrous outburst by Dakota State (S.D.) in the final 7:19 of the first half and the first minute of the second half, fueling to a 72-60 North Star Athletic Association men's basketball victory Sunday evening at Lewy Lee Fieldhouse.  The Trojans held the Comets to 29.5 percent field goal shooting and outscored them 38-28 in the second half.

DSU, who won their fourth straight game, lifted their overall record to 6-8.  Mayville State fell to 7-2.  Both teams are tied for first place in the North Star conference with a 4-1 record.  The Trojans ended their five-game losing skid in the series meeting with the Comets (last win over MSU was on Feb. 9, 2018 in Mayville).

Dakota State is 3-0 record on the current five-game road stretch. 

The Trojans remain on the road as they continue their NSAA conference action next weekend.  DSU makes their first stop at Hanson Fieldhouse on Friday evening, taking on Waldorf (Iowa) at 7:30 p.m.  On Saturday, Dakota State heads to La Crosse, Wis. at R.W. Beggs Gymnasium for a contest with Viterbo (Wis.) at 5 p.m.

Dakota State (S.D.) 72, Mayville State (N.D.) 60 – FINAL

• There were four ties in the first eight minutes and thirty seconds of the game.  Gavin Schipper drained a 3-pointer (assisted by Gairges Daow) as DSU knotted the game for the fourth time at 14-14.
• A back-to-back 3-pointer by Comet Winder Joseph (both assisted by John Ketchel) broke up the 14-14 tie into a 20-14 lead with 11:11 on the clock in the first half.
• At 22-18, Mayville State went on a 7-0 scoring run to grab the first double digit lead of the game.  Carl Snyder capped the scoring un with a basket as the Comets' lead grew to 29-18 with less than eight minutes to go before halftime.
• Dakota State mounted a 16-3 monstrous run in the final 7:35, overtaking a 34-32 halftime lead.  The Trojans' defense held the Comets to just two made field goals in 12 tries.  MSU also committed four turnovers during DSU's first half closing run.
• The Trojans were 16-of-33 from the field (48.5 percent) from the field in the first twenty minutes, while the Comets were 14-of-34 field goals (41.2 percent).
• Dakota State continued its scoring surge as Josh McGreal kicked off the second half with back-to-back baskets, extending their lead to 38-32 with 19:07 left.
• Mayville State could get no closer than three points for the rest of the game.  Keiron Williams drained a 3-pointer with 18:33 remaining to cut DSU's lead to 40-37.
• The Trojans went on a 14-7 scoring run for their first double digit lead of the game.  Schipper hit a 3-pointer to give DSU a 54-44 advantage with less than 14 minutes to go.
• Lamarr Wood made a field goals to give Dakota State its biggest lead of the game at 59-46 with 12 minutes to go.
• Mayville State cut Dakota State's lead to 59-53 with 8:55 left after a pair of free-throws by Thomas Gieske. 
• DSU maintained control for the rest of the game, holding their double-digit lead for the final 3:09 of the game. 
• The Trojans outscored the Comets 38-28 in the second half.  Dakota State shot 41.2 percent (14-of-34 field goals) while holding Mayville State to 10-of-34 field goals.
• McGreal paced DSU with a game-high 18 points.  He also pulled down seven rebounds.  Daow scored 11 points and stole the ball twice off the bench. 
• Schipper, Jordan Lynn and Wood each had eight points for Dakota State.  Lynn grabbed six rebounds, recorded two blocks and stole the ball three times.  Gare Ewefada had seven points and dished out five assists. 
• Brady Van Holland had seven points and pulled down nine rebounds for the Trojans.  Ronnie Latting had seven rebounds and two blocks.
• Gieske led the Comets with 14 points off the bench.  Keiron Goodwin and Ketchell each added 10 points.  Iker Cruz had eight points and grabbed seven rebounds. Joseph had seven points.  Latrelle had five assists.
• Dakota State shot 30-of-67 from the field (44.8 percent) and held Mayville State to 24-of-68 field goals (35.3 percent).  MSU was 6-of-29 from the 3-point arc (20.7 percent), while DSU was 3-of-9 3-pointers (33.3 percent).
• The Trojans converted 9-of-12 free-throws compared to the Comets 6-of-8 free-throws.
• Mayville State outrebounded Dakota State 41-38.  DSU outscored MSU 13-7 in points off turnovers.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director