December 7, 2021

PHOTO GALLERY:  Developmental Game - Varsity Game - Photos credit by Cody Welu

MADISON, S.D. – Nationally ranked Jamestown (N.D.) of the Great Plains Athletic Conference roared to a 43-13 halftime lead over Dakota State (S.D.) Tuesday evening in the non-conference men's basketball contest at DSU Fieldhouse.  Despite trailing as many as 33 points, the Trojans stormed back within single digits but fell short by the score of 81-71 after pouring in a season-high 58 second-half points.

Dakota State dropped their overall record to 3-10.  Jamestown, ranked No. 10 in the latest NAIA Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, lifted their overall record to 11-2.  Both teams were former members of the Dakota Athletic Conference and North Star Athletic Association leagues.

The Trojans take a break until Saturday, Dec. 18 as they travel to Manhattan Christian (Kan.).  Tip-off from the Howie's Activity Center is set for 1 p.m. in Manhattan, Kan.

(10) Jamestown (N.D.) 81, Dakota State (S.D.) 71 – FINAL

• Jamestown held Dakota State scoreless for the first five-plus minutes of the game, sparking a 10-0 lead after a basket by Cole Woodford.
• The Trojans ended its scoring drought with a free-throw by Deshawn Kelly with 14:45 on the clock in the first half (DSU trailed 10-1).
• DSU hit its first field goal of the game by Ronnie Latting (assisted by Kelly) with 12:01 to go before intermission (UJ led 15-3).
• Devon Schultz hit a pair of free-throws as the Jimmies recorded its biggest lead of the game at 43-10 with 1:15 left in the first.
• Berto Gittens drained a 3-pointer as the first half expired as DSU trailed 43-13.
• Jamestown shot 53.6 percent from the field (15-of-28 field goals) and 5-of-9 from the 3-point arc in the first twenty minutes of the game.  Dakota State was held to 18.5 percent from the field (5-of-27 field goals).
• The Trojans kicked off the second half by outscoring the Jimmies 17-7, trimming their deficit to 50-30 with 13:50 remaining.
• Down 66-43, Dakota State went on a 17-3 monstrous run to rally back within single digits.  Gittens drained a 3-pointer (assisted by Jordan Lynn) as the Trojans cut the Jimmies' lead to 69-60 with 4:41 remaining. 
• Dakota State could get no closer than nine points for the second time at 71-62 with 3:27 left after a basket by Latting.
• Jamestown secured the victory after going 7-of-8 free-throws in the final 2:48 of the game.
• The Trojans outscored the Jimmies 58-38 in the final twenty minutes, thanks to their sizzling 58.3 percent from the field (21-of-36 field goals).  UJ was held to 38.5 percent from the field (10-of-26 field goals).
• Gittens scored a season-high 24 points off the bench for Dakota State. He was 9-of-15 from the field, including 5-of-8 from the 3-point arc.  He also had four rebounds and two assists.
• Latting tallied a career-high 20 points (8-of-10 field goals and 4-of-6 free-throws) for DSU.  He pulled down seven rebounds.  Lynn added 11 points and dished out a career-high eight assists.
• Braden Brandriet scored six points and grabbed three rebounds off the bench for the Trojans.  He stole the ball three times.  Chris Morales scored five points and collected three rebounds.  Lamarr Wood had five rebounds. 
• Four Jimmies scored in double digits, paced by Brady Birch with 18 points.  He had eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals.  John Argue posted a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds.  He registered two blocks.
• Marc Kjos scored 14 points and five assists for Jamestown.  He stole the ball a game-high six times.  Devan Praska had 11 points and seven rebounds off the bench. 
• Jamestown shot 46.3 percent overall from the field (25-of-54 field goals) compared to Dakota State 41.3 percent (26-of-63 field goals).  UJ was 8-of-20 from the 3-point arc, while DSU was 6-of-18 3-pointers.
• The Jimmies converted 23 free-throws in 30 tries (76.7 percent).  The Trojans were 13-of-19 free-throws (68.4 percent).
• DSU outrebounded UJ 38-36 (13-9 on the offensive boards). 
• The Trojans outscored the Jimmies 35-17 in bench points and 36-30 inside the paint.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director