December 4, 2024

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) and Midland (Neb.) were evenly close in statistics in the men's basketball non-conference contest at DSU Fieldhouse Wednesday evening.  Ryan Larsen of MU missed a potential game-tying shot from the wing before the time expired, giving DSU a 73-71 thrilling victory to remain undefeated at home this season.

Dakota State lifted their overall record to 7-4, ballooning their home court winning streak to seven games dating back to last season (6-0 record this season).  The Trojans also earned their first win against members of the Great Plains Athletic Conference this season.  Midland fell to 6-5 overall record.

DSU earned their first win over MU since Oct. 29, 2022, at DSU Fieldhouse (by the score of 63-61).

Dakota State continues their season-high six-game home stand Monday evening, hosting NCAA Division III Crown (Minn.).  Tip-off from the DSU Fieldhouse is set for 6 p.m.

Dakota State (S.D.) 73, Midland (Neb.) 71 – FINAL

Midland kicked off the game by scoring five straight points, thanks to a basket by Jake Orr followed by a 3-pointer from Trey McCain with eighteen minutes and fifty-two seconds on the clock.

Tyler Beckwith drained a 3-pointer (assisted by Taine Mitchell) for DSU first points of the game with 18:30 to go in the first half (Trojans trailed 5-3).

The Warriors maintained their lead in the first half, leading as many as seven points after Orr's basket for a 15-8 lead with 13:45 on the clock.

DSU then went on an 8-0 scoring tear to tie the game at 15-15, capped by a basket by Rysley Borman with 11:47 to go before halftime.

Both teams went through a closely tight contest until the Trojans earned their first lead of the game at 28-26 after a 3-pointer from Mitchell (assisted by Aiden Jensen) with 4:45 remaining in the first half.  Mitchell added another basket as part of DSU's 5-0 scoring run to extend their lead to 30-26 with 4:18 on the clock.

Dakota State and Midland went through five lead changes and five ties in the first twenty minutes of the game.  Lane Tietz drained a 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer, giving the Trojans a 39-35 lead.

Both teams shot 50 percent from the field in the first half, with the Trojans making 16 baskets in 32 attempts and the Warriors with 15 baskets in 30 attempts.

The Trojans sparked a 6-1 second half scoring run, hitting the double-digit lead for the first time in the game.  Brayden Pankonen drained a 3-pointer (assisted by Beckwith) to give DSU a 46-36 lead with 16:45 remaining.

Dakota State controlled the game by holding their lead between six- and nine-points for six-plus minutes.  The Warriors scored six straight points to cut the Trojans' lead to 56-53 with 10:20 remaining in the game after Cole Peterson's basket.

Beckwith propelled the Trojans' 7-0 scoring run with five straight points and capped with a dunk from Colby Dillenbeck (assisted by Beckwith), regaining their double-digit lead at 63-53 with 8:39 left.

With DSU leading 69-59 after Pankonen's 3-pointer, the Warriors went on a 9-2 scoring run to cut the Trojans' lead to 70-68 after Orr's free throw with 3:22 on the clock.

The Trojans led 73-69 with 1:37 remaining after Dillenbeck's steal followed by a layup.  Orr followed up with a pair of free throws as the Warriors trimmed their deficit to 73-71 with 44.4 seconds remaining.

DSU was unable to convert their scoring opportunity on the next possession as MU regained their possession and called a timeout with 8.5 seconds left in the game.

Larsen missed a potential game-tying 2-point jump shot from the win for MU and was rebounded by Tietz as time expired to secure the victory for DSU.

Midland outscored Dakota State 36-34 in the final twenty minutes.  MU was 46.4 percent from the field (13-of-28 field goals) compared to DSU 39.4 percent (13-of-33 field goals). 

Dillenbeck led the Trojans with 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds.  Beckwith added 14 points, two assists, and two assists.  Pankonen tallied 11 points. 

Tietz scored eight points, dished out five assists, and collected seven rebounds for Dakota State.  Mitchell added five points, five rebounds, and five assists.  Jensen scored eight points off the bench.  Lukas Morgan had five points and three rebounds.  Isaac Sumption had three rebounds. 

Orr paced the Warriors with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals.  Larsen added 15 points.  Trey McCain had 14 points and contributed seven assists.  Petersen scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds off the bench.  He had two blocks.

Dakota State shot 44.6 percent overall from the field (29-of-65 field goals) compared to Midland 48.3 percent (28-of-58 field goals).  The Trojans were 9-of-28 from the 3-point line to the Warriors 5-of-16 3-pointers.

DSU was 6-of-9 at the free-throw line compared to MU 10-of-17 free throws. 

The Trojans outrebounded the Warriors 36-34.  Dakota State outscored Midland 40-20 inside the paint and 19-12 in bench points.