November 12, 2021

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Seven Dakota State (S.D.) players hit double digits in scoring, hitting the century mark for the first time this season in 102-64 rout over Trinity Bible (N.D.) at Strode Center.  The Trojans and Lions played as part of Isreal-Strong Classic, hosted by Presentation (S.D.).

DSU snapped their three-game losing skid, improving to 2-6 overall record.  Trinity Bible fell to 0-4 overall record, all opponents from the North Star Athletic Association.

Dakota State steps aside the regular-season action Tuesday, playing in an exhibition contest at NCAA Division II Sioux Falls (S.D.).  The game is set for 7:30 p.m. at Stewart Center in Sioux Falls.

Dakota State (S.D.) 102, Trinity Bible (N.D.) 64 – FINAL

• Dakota State and Trinity Bible battled back and forth in the early going of the game, trading leads four times and tying the game five times.
• Maxwell Nielson drained a 3-pointer with seven minutes, three seconds on the clock in the first half for 26-25 DSU lead.
• Leading 34-30, DSU went on an 8-0 scoring tear to stretch their lead to 42-30 capped by a dunk by Lamarr Wood with 3:31 to go before halftime.
• Jaxon Simons hit a 3-pointer as the Trojans widen their lead to 49-32 by halftime.
• Dakota State was 45 percent from the field in the first twenty minutes (18-of-40 field goals), including 7-of-19 from the 3-point arc.  Trinity Bible was 46.9 percent from the field (15-of-32 field goals) and 1-of-11 from the 3-point line.
• The Trojans maintained their double-digit lead for the rest of the game, outscoring the Lions 53-30 in the second half.
• DSU recorded its biggest lead of the game after a jump shot by Berto Gittens with less than 40 seconds left in the game (DSU led 102-62).
• Wood scored 16 points off the bench on his 6-of-9 field goals and 4-of-4 free-throws for Dakota State.  He grabbed six rebounds and registered a blocked shot.  Simons added 15 points o his 5-of-7 field goals, including 4-of-6 3-pointers.  He pulled down a season-high eight rebounds and produced four assists.
• Jordan Lynn and Deshawn Kelly each scored 13 points for the Trojans.  Lynn had seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.  Kelly tallied five rebounds and contributed five assists.
• Nielson scored 14 points and dished out three assists for DSU.  Ronnie Latting and Gittens each scored 10 points and collected nine rebounds.  Gittens stole the ball three times.  Ethan Slaathaug had nine points.
• Tyrik Ward led the Lions with 20 points.  Marcellus Mencarini and Rowdy Waters each added 10 points.  Ward, Khalil Bolden, Josh Stoughton, and Xavier Duren, Jr. each pulled down four rebounds.
• Dakota State shot 40-of-77 from the field (51.9 percent) compared to Trinity Bible 26-of-64 field goals (40.6 percent).  The Trojans hit 10 3-pointers in 30 attempts, while the Lions were held to 2-of-20 3-pointers.
• DSU dominated the rebounding, grabbing 20 more rebounds than TBC (47-27).

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director