February 26, 2022

Photos credits by Donald Weidler and Karen Giles

WATERTOWN, S.D. – Fifth-seeded Dakota State (S.D.) erupted for 51 first-half points over top-seeded Viterbo (Wis.), thanks to Maxwell Nielson's 26 points Saturday evening in the North Star Athletic Association Men's Basketball Postseason Tournament's semifinal contest at Civic Arena.  The V-Hawks erased an 18-point deficit and rallied back for a 75-73 thriller over the Trojans to secure a spot in the NSAA championship game on Sunday.

Dakota State ended their season with an overall record of 13-18.  Viterbo improved to 17-12 overall record and will face second-seeded Bellevue (Neb.) – who defeated third-seeded Valley City State (N.D.) in the second semifinal Saturday night – in the championship game Sunday at 4 p.m.

Viterbo (Wis.) 75, Dakota State (S.D.) 73 – FINAL

• Dakota State and Viterbo struggled to find their offense rhythm in the opening minutes of the game, going scoreless in the first two-and-half minutes.
• The V-Hawks ended its scoring drought a 3-pointer by Nicholas Malovrh, followed by a basket by Nolan Martin for a 5-0 lead with 17:11 on the clock.
• The Trojans ended its scoring drought with a lay-up by Ronnie Latting with 16:27 left in the first (DSU trailed 5-2. 
• The teams traded leads five times and tied four times midway through the first half. 
• Holding a 31-28 lead, Nielson poured in 12 points during DSU's 15-1 scoring outburst to balloon their lead to 46-31 after a 3-pointer by Berto Gittens.  Nielson drained three consecutive 3-pointers during the Trojans' scoring run. 
• Keegan Severn made a basket when the first half ended (assisted by Brady Polk) as the V-Hawks cut the Trojans' lead to 51-39.
• DSU shot a sizzling 58.1 percent from the field in the first twenty minutes (18-of-31 field goals), including 9-of-15 from the 3-point line.  VU was 44.1 percent from the field (15-of-34 field goals) and 2-of-9 from the 3-point arc.
• Dakota State's lead grew to 18 points when Chris Morales drained a 3-pointer with 16:01 left, igniting an 11-5 second quarter opening run for a 62-44 lead.
• Viterbo held Dakota State to four points in a span of six-and-half minutes, using a 13-4 run to reduce their deficit into single digit.  Polk hit a 3-pointer (assisted by Noah Frederickson) as the V-Hawks trailed 66-57 with 9:17 to go.
• Latting answered with a layup to put Trojans up 68-57 with 8:28 remaining.
• The V-Hawks used another monstrous scoring run, outscoring the Trojans 15-4 to knot the game at 72-72 with 2:03 left after a 3-pointer by Frederickson. 
• Lamarr Wood made one free throw in two attempts to give DSU a 73-72 lead with 1:08 remaining.
• Frederickson answered with a pair of free-throws on the next possession as the V-Hawks regained their lead at 74-73 with less than a minute to go.
• Dakota State was unable to score on the next possession and was rebounded by Fredrickson.  The Trojans committed a foul, sending Fredrickson to the free-throw line.
• The V-Hawks extended their lead to 75-73 after a free-throw by Fredrickson.  The Trojans were unable to convert their scoring chance on the final possession, securing the victory for the V-Hawks as they held DSU scoreless in the final 2:14.
• Viterbo outscored Dakota State 36-22 in the second half.  The V-Hawks were 46.4 percent from the field (13-of-28 field goals) and held the Trojans to 34.5 percent (10-of-29 field goals).
• Nielson finished the game by going 8-of-15 from the field, including 7-of-13 from the 3-point arc for DSU.  He stole the ball three times.  Wood and Latting each scored nine points.  Latting grabbed six rebounds.
• Jordan Lynn tallied seven points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Trojans.  He dished out five assists.  Morales contributed four assists.  Deshawn Kelly scored eight points off the bench.
• NSAA Men's Basketball Player-of-the-Year Jack Monis posted a double-double of 18 points and earned 12 rebounds for Viterbo.  Frederickson poured in 23 points off the bench on his 8-of-13 field goals and 4-of-6 3-pointers.
• Malovrh added nine points and three steals for the V-Hawks.  Robert Cunitz and Polk each scored seven points.  Polk had four assists. 
• Dakota State shot 46.7 percent overall from the field (28-of-60 field goals) compared to Viterbo 45.2 percent (28-of-62 field goals).  The Trojans drained 10 3-pointers in 26 attempts, while the V-Hawks were 6-of-16 3-pointers.
• Both teams struggled at the free-throw line in the game.  The V-Hawks converted 13-of-27 free-throws (48.1 percent), while the Trojans were 7-of-13 free-throws (53.8 percent).
• VU outrebounded DSU 40-37. 
• The Trojans outscored the V-Hawks 14-6 in transition points.  Viterbo outscored Dakota State 30-19 in bench points and 16-11 in second chance points.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director