February 5, 2022

MAYVILLE, N.D. – Lamarr Wood poured in a career-high 36 points Saturday evening at Lewy Lee Fieldhouse, but it was not enough as Dakota State (S.D.) could not overcome Mayville State's (N.D.) 13 3-pointers in 75-63 North Star Athletic Association men's basketball defeat.  The Trojans and the Comets earned its NSAA season series split.

Dakota State fell to 11-15 overall record, while Mayville State improved to 14-8 overall record.  Both teams are in three-way tie for third place in the rugged North Star Athletic Association men's basketball standings with 6-5 record each, just one game behind the conference co-leader Bellevue (Neb.) and Viterbo (Wis.) with 7-4 record each after Saturday's action.

The Trojans return at DSU Fieldhouse next weekend to wrap up their home schedule.  DSU hosts Dickinson State (N.D.) Friday at 7:30 p.m., followed by another NSAA contest with Valley City State (N.D.) next Saturday at 5 p.m. (Senior Night).

Mayville State (N.D.) 75, Dakota State (S.D.) 63 – FINAL

• Both teams struggled to find their offense rhythm in the first 15-plus minutes of the game.  Both teams went through four lead changes and three ties during the span.
• After Ronnie Latting hit a pair of free-throws to put Trojans up 15-14, the Comets went on 9-2 scoring run to earn a 23-17 lead after Sebastian Griffin's 3-pointer with 7:23 to go before intermission.
• The Trojans trimmed their deficit to 23-21 after a pair of free-throws by Wood with less than five minutes to go in the first.
• Mayville State stretched its lead into double digit when Thomas Gieske drained a 3-pointer for a 35-25 lead with 2:26 on the clock in the first half.
• The Comets maintained a 40-31 halftime advantage.  MSU was 37.1 percent from the field (13-of-35 field goals), including 8-of-15 from the 3-point line.  DSU shot 35.5 percent (11-of-31 field goals), despite missing all eight 3-point field goals.
• Dakota State could get no closer than six points after a free throw by Wood, trailing 40-34 with 17:42 left.
• Winder Joseph hit a 3-pointer as the Comets regained their double-digit lead at 48-38.  The Trojans answered back within six points after a 3-point play by Maxwell Nielson, trailing 51-45 with 13:41 left.
• MSU went on a quick 6-0 run to widen their lead to 57-45, forcing DSU to call a timeout with 12:15 remaining.
• John Ketchel drained a 3-pointer to give the Comets its biggest lead of the game at 75-59 with 2:49 left, securing the victory.
• MSU outscored DSU 35-32 in the second half.  Mayville State was 15-of-29 from the field (51.7 percent) and held Dakota State to 12-of-33 field goals.
• Wood finished the game by hitting 15-of-19 field goals and converted 6-of-11 free-throws for the Trojans.  His 15 field goals made tied for eighth-most field goals made in Trojan men's basketball single-game record book.  Wood also grabbed seven rebounds and registered three blocks.
• Berto Gittens produced a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for DSU.  Latting added seven points and five rebounds.  Jordan Lynn collected five rebounds and stole the ball twice.  Chris Morales had four points and four rebounds. 
• Franklin and Ketchel each tallied 16 points for the Comets.  Franklin dished out six assists, while Ketchel had four assists.  Gieske added 11 points and nine rebounds.  Joseph had nine points and five rebounds off the bench. 
• Sam Grayson scored eight points and pulled down eight rebounds for MSU. 
• Mayville State shot 43.8 percent overall from the field (28-of-64 field goals) compared to Dakota State 35.9 percent (23-of-64 field goals).  The Comets were 13-of-24 3-pointers (54.2 percent), while the Trojans could not make a 3-pointer in 16 tries.
• DSU hit 17-of-25 free-throws.  MSU converted all six free-throw attempts.
• Both teams had 41 rebounds in the game.  The Trojans outscored the Comets 16-8 in second-chance points.
• Dakota State scored 42 points inside the paint, while Mayville State scored 26 points inside the paint.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director