November 14, 2024

KEARNEY, Neb. – Dakota State (S.D.) shot nearly 50 percent from the floor Thursday evening, hanging on to a 78-76 exhibition game thriller over NCAA Division II Nebraska-Kearney at Health & Student Center/Buckle Court.  It was the first exhibition victory for the Trojans since Nov. 24, 2014, when they defeated NCAA Division II University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) 81-76 at the Stewart Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Dakota State remains at 4-3 overall record after their exhibition victory.  Nebraska-Kearney is winless in three games this season (0-3 overall record). 

The Trojans play another exhibition game Tuesday evening, traveling to NCAA Division II Northern State (S.D.).  The game is set for 7 p.m. at Wachs Arena in Aberdeen, S.D.

Dakota State (S.D.) 78, Nebraska-Kearney 76 – FINAL

Both teams traded leads or tied game in the first five minutes of the game.  With DSU leading 9-8 after a fast-break basket layup by Aiden Jensen (assisted by Lane Tietz), the Lopers went on a 14-2 outburst.  DJ Jamerson hit a pair of free-throws to put UNK up 23-11 with ten minutes left in the first half.

Nebraska-Kearney posted the biggest lead of the game twice at 37-23 with 2:40 left after Chase Thompson's layup and at 39-25 with 1:45 left before halftime after a layup by Kendrick Gilbert.  The Trojans closed the first half by scoring the final four points, with a pair of free throws from Taine Mitchell and a basket by Nolan Segner.

Nebraska-Kearney led 39-29 by halftime.  DSU shot 11-of-29 from the field in the first twenty minutes (37.9 percent) compared to UNK 37.8 percent (14-of-37 field goals).

Trailing 50-39, Brayden Pankonen sparked DSU's 11-2 scoring run with a 3-pointer.  The Trojans hit three 3-pointers during their scoring run, capped by Tyler Beckwith's 3-pointer as they trailed 52-50 with 14:52 remaining.

Dakota State extended their scoring run to 16-4 as they regained their lead at 55-54 with 12:14 left after Tietz's basket.

The Trojans maintained their lead between two- and six-points midway through the second half.  Tietz drained a 3-pointer to give DSU a 72-66 lead with 4:41 left.

Nebraska-Kearny rallied back to knot the game at 74-74 after Gilbert's layup, forcing DSU to call a timeout with 2:25 left.

At 76-76, Colby Dillenbeck hit a layup (assisted by Jensen) to give Dakota State a 78-76 lead with less than 15 seconds left in the game.

The Lopers missed a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession by Allen Taylor and was rebounded by his teammate Gilbert.  DSU's Beckwith recorded a block on Gilbert's potential game-tying layup and was rebounded by Beckwith. 

Despite committing a turnover by Dakota State on the next possession, Nebraska-Kearney was unable to hit a 3-pointer from Elijah Knudsen as time expired.

DSU outscored UNK 49-37 in the final twenty minutes of the game to secure the victory, thanks to their blazing 60 percent from the field (18-of-30 field goals) and 6-of-9 3-pointers.  The Lopers were 11-of-27 from the field (40.7 percent) and 5-of-14 3-pointers in the second half.

Four Dakota State players scored in double digits, led by Dillenbeck with 17 points.  He was 7-of-11 from the field and pulled down six rebounds.  Tietz scored 13 points off the bench and contributed six assists.  Beckwith also had 12 points off the bench, collected seven rebounds, and registered a block.  Pankonen had 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds. 

Lukas Morgan scored seven points for DSU.  Jensen added six points and four rebounds. 

Taylor led the Lopers with 21 points.  He stole the ball five times.  Gilbert added 16 points and seven rebounds.  He was 5-of-7 from the field and hit 6-of-6 free throws.  Thompson had 15 points.  Ja'Bryant Hill scored nine points.  Clayton Moore had five points and five rebounds.

Dakota State shot 49.2 percent overall from the field (29-of-59 field goals) and 8-of-20 3-pointers.  The Trojans were 12-of-16 from the free throw line.  Nebraska-Kearney was 39.1 percent from the field (25-of-64 field goals), 7-of-29 3-pointers, and 19-of-22 free throws.

DSU outscored UNK 41-13 in bench points and 42-28 inside the paint.