February 21, 2024

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) shot a blazing 56.6 percent from the field Wednesday evening, defeating Viterbo (Wis.) 85-61 in the North Star Athletic Association Men's Basketball Postseason Tournament's quarterfinal action at DSU Fieldhouse.  It was the final meeting between the Trojans and the V-Hawks as a member of the North Star Athletic Association.

Dakota State, No. 4 seed in the postseason tournament, lifted their overall record to 17-12.  The Trojans were hosting their first NSAA postseason contest at DSU Fieldhouse since the 2015-16 season.  Viterbo, No. 5 seed in the conference tournament, concluded their season with an overall record of 12-16.

DSU finished with a 3-0 all-time record in the NSAA quarterfinals round with VU (3-1 all-time in the postseason, where the V-Hawks defeated the Trojans in the NSAA semifinals round in Watertown during the 2021-22 season).

Dakota State moves on to the NSAA semifinals roundon Sunday, visiting top-seeded Bellevue (Neb.).  Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. at Gordon Lozier Athletic Center in Bellevue, Neb.

Dakota State (S.D.) 85, Viterbo (Wis.) 61 – FINAL

Viterbo opened the game with a 5-1 lead, capped by a 3-pointer from Dakota Mannel (assisted by Nick Malovrh) with seventeen minutes, fifty-three seconds on the clock.

Dakota State answered with an 11-2 scoring outburst, highlighted by four consecutive baskets by the Trojans (Mison Coilton, Calvin Payne, and Josh Lewis).  Coilton capped the scoring run with a 3-pointer to give DSU a 12-7 lead with less than 15 minutes to go in the first half.

Leading 15-11, DSU went on an 8-2 scoring run for the first double digit lead of the game at 23-13 after Emmanuel Akpan's basket with 9:21 on the clock.

The V-Hawks then went on to score five straight points to cut their deficit to 23-18 after Jack Monis' basket, forcing the Trojans to call the first timeout of the game with 7:45 to go before halftime.

Dakota State responded with a monstrous 14-3 scoring run, highlighted by Akpan's basket (assisted by Coilton) for a 37-21 lead with 3:06 to go in the first half.

The Trojans led 44-28 by halftime, thanks to their 51.7 percent field goal shooting (15-of-29 field goals).  VU was held to 37.9 percent from the field (11-of-29 field goals).

DSU maintained their control with the lead between 14- and 20-points in the first nine-plus minutes of the second half. 

At 62-46, Dakota State used a 13-4 scoring run to earn the biggest lead of the game at 75-50 with 7:44 remaining after a 3-pointer from Brayden Pankonen (assisted by Uzo Dibiamaka). 

Viterbo could get no closer than 18 points on two different occasions (75-57 after a basket by Ben Olson with 5:52 left and 77-59 with less than three minutes to go after Monis' basket).

The Trojans outscored the V-Hawks 41-33 in the second half to secure the victory.  DSU improved their home record to 9-3, the most home wins at DSU Fieldhouse since the 2017-18 season with 11 home victories.

DSU shot a sizzling 62.5 percent from the field in the final twenty minutes (15-of-24 field goals), including 7-of-14 3-pointers.  VU was 56.5 percent from the field (13-of-23 field goals) and 2-of-5 3-pointers.

Four Trojan players scored in double digits, led by Akpan (4-of-5 field goals and 6-of-8 free-throws) and Coilton (6-of-7 field goals and 1-of-2 free-throws) with 15 points each.  Akpan added three rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block.  Coilton dished out a season-high five assists and stole the ball twice.

Pankonen added 14 points from his four 3-pointers and a pair of free-throws for Dakota State.  He had two assists, two steals, and two rebounds.  Kenny Haynes scored 10 points off the bench.  Dibiamaka had seven points, three assists, and two steals. 

Japjit Gill had six points, five rebounds, and three assists for DSU.  Payne scored six points and contributed two assists.  Lewis had five points, four rebounds, and three steals.

Mannel scored 17 points and dished out six assists for Viterbo.  He had four rebounds.  Monis added 14 points and six rebounds.  Olson tallied 13 points, four rebounds, and three assists.  Nick Malovrh had seven points and six assists. 

Dakota State shot 30-of-53 overall from the field, including draining a season-high 15 3-pointers in 34 tries (44.1 percent).  Viterbo was 24-of-52 from the field (46.2 percent) and 6-of-11 from the 3-point line.

DSU converted 10-of-16 free-throws compared to VU 7-of-14 free-throws.

Both teams collected 29 rebounds in the game.

The Trojans' bench outscored the V-Hawks bench 39-10.  Dakota State also outscored Viterbo 30-22 inside the paint and 17-12 in points off turnovers.