December 2, 2025

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (7–1 overall record) used a strong defensive effort, balanced scoring, and a 34-point second half to put away rival Dakota Wesleyan (5–5 overall record) Tuesday night inside the DSU Fieldhouse, earning a 64–53 non-conference victory. The Trojans held the Tigers to just 23 second-half points and 42 percent shooting overall.

Dakota State won the last two home meetings with Dakota Wesleyan, including a 77-76 wild buzzer beater victory in the first Battle of the Blues meeting on Nov. 13, 2023).

The Trojans are undefeated at home this season with a 5-0 record, closing out their non-conference schedule with a 5-0 undefeated record.  DSU recorded their third straight victory.
  FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS
Both teams traded leads seven times and tied the game five times in the first twenty minutes.

• Tyler Beckwith got rolling early with nine first-half points, including a three-pointer.
• Ryan Beckwith added eight points in the half, knocking down two threes.
• Nathan Ojukwu was active on both ends, grabbing four rebounds and dishing two assists.

DWU stayed step-for-step thanks to its perimeter shooting—6-of-13 from deep in the first half—with Randy Rosenquist Jr. scoring 10 points before halftime.

The teams went into the break knotted at 30–30.
  SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS
Dakota State's defense elevated in the final 20 minutes, forcing five DWU turnovers, limiting the Tigers to 1-of-9 from three.

Key second-half performances included:

• Ojukwu scoring 11 of his 14 points after halftime while completing a double-double (14 pts, 10 reb).
• Lukas Morgan finishing with 13 points, including a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and 5-for-8 at the line.
• Tyler Beckwith adding five more points to reach 14 points total.
• Desman Botts providing a spark off the bench with five points, four rebounds, and a block.

DSU used a 9–2 run midway through the half to stretch their lead to 50-41 with nine minutes left, then maintained a two-possession lead the rest of the way. The Trojans shot 48.9 percent for the game while forcing 14 DWU turnovers, converting them into 19 points.
  DAKOTA STATE TEAM LEADERS
Tyler Beckwith – 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
Ryan Beckwith – 14 points (4–7 3-point field goals), 2 assists, 1 steal
Nathan Ojukwu – 14 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Lukas Morgan – 13 points (4-of-4 field goals), 5 rebounds, 3 steals
Desman Botts – 5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block
  DAKOTA WESLEYAN TEAM LEADERS
Tyson Stevenson – 14 points (6–11 field goals), 2 3-pointers
Anthony Riggans – 11 points, 2 steals
Randy Rosenquist Jr. – 10 points, 3 assists, 3 steals
  KEY TEAM STATS

• Field Goals: DSU 22–45 (49 percent), DWU 20–47 (43 percent)
• 3-Point Shooting: DSU 6–19 (32 percent), DWU 7–22 (32 percent)
• Free Throws: DSU 14–22, DWU 6–11
• Rebounds: DSU 33–21 advantage
• Turnovers: DSU 16, DWU 14
• Points off turnovers: DSU 19–16
• Points in the paint: DSU 28–24
• Bench points: DWU 9–5
• Fast Break Points: DSU 14-0
• Second Chance Points: DSU 9-1

UP NEXT
Dakota State resumes their busy Frontier Conference schedule this weekend, concluding their five-game home stand at DSU Fieldhouse.  The Trojans host Mayville State (N.D.) Friday evening at 7 p.m.  The basketball teams will be hosting Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night.