November 1, 2023

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – After Dakota State (S.D.) trimmed (RV) Dordt's (Iowa) lead to two points (26-24), the Defenders closed the first half with a 17-2 scoring run and never trailed in the game for an 88-57 victory Wednesday evening.  It was the second straight year that both teams met at the Sanford Sports Complex in the Pentagon.

Dakota State fell to 0-3 overall record.  Dordt, a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference and receiving votes in the NAIA men's basketball coaches' Top 25 preseason poll, raised their overall record to 2-0.

The Trojans continue their busy schedule Thursday evening, traveling to NCAA Division III Martin Luther (Minn.).  Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at LSC Gymnasium on the campus of Martin Luther in New Ulm, Minn.

(RV) Dordt (Iowa) 88, Dakota State (S.D.) 57 – FINAL

Dordt opened the game by scoring seven straight points, capped by a jump shot from Jackson Louscher for 7-0 lead with sixteen minutes and forty seconds on the clock.

The Trojans were held scoreless for the first four-and-half minutes, snapping their scoring drought with 15:24 on the clock after a layup by Taylor Edwards (DSU trialed 7-2).

Dordt went on a 5-0 run to earn the first double digit lead of the game at 12-2 with a basket from Jake Hargens with 13:09 left in the first half.

Trailing 24-17, the Trojans went on a 7-2 scoring run to cut the Defenders' lead to 26-24 after a pair of free-throws by Kenny Haynes with 5:41 to go before halftime.

Dordt held Dakota State to two points for the remainder of the first half, ballooning their lead to 43-26 by halftime. 

DU shot 53.1 percent from the field in the first twenty minutes (17-of-32 field goals) compared to DSU 30 percent (9-of-30 field goals).

Dakota State could get no closer than 13 points at 57-44 after a 3-pointer by Brayden Pankonen (assisted by Japjit Gill) with less than 14 minutes remaining in the game.

Dordt outscored Dakota State 31-13 in the final 13:40of the game to secure the victory.  The Defenders scored 45 second-half points compared to the Trojans 31 points.

Ethan Slaathaug led Dakota State with 16 points on his 7-of-14 field goal shooting.  He also pulled down seven rebounds (tied career-high).  Mison Coilton added 13 points and four rebounds off the bench.

Edwards and Pankonen each tallied six points for DSU.  Pankonen had four rebounds.  Gill dished out four assists and grabbed four rebounds.  Isaac Sumption, Calvin Payne, and Tanner Campos each had three points.

Emmanuel Akpan earned seven rebounds for the Trojans.  Sumption, Payne, Gill, and Coilton each stole the ball once.  Josh Lewis had two assists.

Bryce Coppock poured in 30 points for Dordt.  He was 12-of-17 from the field and pulled down nine rebounds.  He also had three assists and three steals.  Lucas Lorenze had 19 points and five rebounds.  Ty Van Essen had 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench.  Luke Rankin had six points and seven assists.

Ben Fairclough scored four points and collected six rebounds for the Defenders. 

DU shot 53 percent overall from the field (35-of-66) and 6-of-23 from the 3-point arc.  DSU was limited to 33.3 percent from the field (22-of-66 field goals) and 8-of-31 from the 3-point line.

The Defenders held a slim rebounding edge over the Trojans (42-39).  Dordt outscored the Trojans 19-5 in points off turnovers and 52-28 inside the paint.  DSU's bench outscored DU's bench 29-21.