December 13, 2025

GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Dakota State (S.D.) continued their best start this season Saturday evening, pulling away past Providence (Mont.) 92-72 in a Frontier Conference men's basketball contest at McLaughlin Center.  The Trojans held a slim 47-44 halftime advantage and outscored the Argos 45-28 in the final twenty minutes of the game for the seventh straight victory.

Dakota State, which earned their sixth straight Frontier Conference victory, lifted their overall record to 11-1 and 6-1 record in the league.  Providence fell to 1-12 overall record and 1-6 Frontier record.  The Trojans completed their season series sweep over UP, where DSU won the first meeting three weeks ago at DSU Fieldhouse.

DSU's seven-game winning streak is tied for fourth longest winning streak in school history with the 1991-92 and 1963-64 squads.

First Half Highlights
The first half was a high-energy battle, with both teams trading baskets throughout the opening 20 minutes. Providence's Brendan Redhead led the way with 10 points in the first half, keeping the game close.

However, Dakota State answered with an efficient offense, led by Nathan Ojukwu, who scored 14 points in the first half, hitting two 3-pointers. Dakota State managed to pull ahead by a slim 47-44 margin at the half.

Second Half Highlights
Brayden Pankonen and Lukas Morgan each scored 10 points in the second half, including two three-pointers, while Ojukwu added another 12 points to help DSU pull away for the victory.

The Trojans shot an impressive 52.4 percent overall from the field (33-of-63 field goals) and 46.7 percent from three-point range (14-of-30 3-pointers).

Individual Leaders

• Nathan Ojukwu (DSU): Ojukwu scored a game-high 26 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing out 7 assists.  He was 10-of-17 from the field, including 4-of-9 from the 3-point line.
• Brayden Pankonen (DSU): Pankonen contributed 21 points, including five 3-pointers.  He also had four rebounds and three assists.
• Aidan Jensen (DSU): Jensen tallied 11 points and four rebounds.
• Lukas Morgan (DSU): Morgan scored 12 points off the bench and added four rebounds.
• D'Marius Shumaker (DSU): Shumaker contributed five assists for the Trojans' offense.
• Quinn Swanson (Providence): Swanson led Providence with 23 points and 8 rebounds.
• Brendan Redhead (Providence): Redhead contributed 15 points.

Stats Breakdown:

• Dakota State (S.D.):
  • Field Goals: 33-63 (52.4%)
  • Three-Point Field Goals: 14-30 (46.7%)
  • Free Throws: 12-18 (66.7%)
  • Total Rebounds: 34 (15 Offensive, 19 Defensive)
  • Assists: 20
  • Turnovers: 13
  • Steals: 10
  • Blocks: 2
• Providence (Mont.):
  • Field Goals: 27-53 (50.9%)
  • Three-Point Field Goals: 8-17 (47.1%)
  • Free Throws: 10-17 (58.8%)
  • Total Rebounds: 21 (5 Offensive, 16 Defensive)
  • Assists: 12
  • Turnovers: 15
  • Steals: 10
  • Blocks: 3

Up Next:
Dakota State steps away from the regular season action as they play a pair of exhibition games against members of the Summit League of NCAA Division I.  The Trojans make their first stop in Vermillion, S.D., on Wednesday evening to face South Dakota.  Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Sanford Coyote Sports Center.