January 17, 2026

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) erased a double-digit halftime deficit and outscored (RV) Montana Western 40–24 in the second half to secure a thrilling 75–73 comeback victory Saturday night at the DSU Fieldhouse in the Frontier Conference men's basketball action.  The Trojans remained undefeated in the all-time series with the Bulldogs (2-0 record, first meeting was held in Dickinson, N.D., during the 2022-23 season).

Dakota State lifted their overall record to 14-4 and 9-4 record in the league.  It is the most conference wins in a single season since the 2015-16 season (10 wins in the former North Star Athletic Association).  Montana Western, receiving votes in the latest NAIA Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, fell to 14-5 overall record and 9-4 record in the conference.

DSU, Montana Tech, and Montana Western are in a three-way tie for fourth in the Frontier Conference standings.  Bellevue (Neb.), Carroll (Mont.), and Rocky Mountain (Mont.) are in a three-way tie in the league with 11-2 record each.

How it happened

Montana Western came out firing in the opening half, leading as many as 15 points.  Kolter Merritt hit a layup with eight minutes and fifty-four seconds on the clock to give UMW a 31-16 lead.

The Bulldogs maintained their double-digit lead for the rest of the first half, closing with a layup by David Young at the buzzer for a commanding 49-35 halftime lead.  Montana Western shot a sizzling 55.6 percent from the field in the first half (20-of-36 field goals) and knocked seven three-pointers.

Dakota State shot 52.2 percent from the field in the first twenty minutes of the game (12-of-23 field goals) and hit 6-of-12 3-pointers.  Montana Western outscored the Trojans 15-0 in points off turnovers in the first half.

DSU held Montana Western to just 32.0 percent shooting in the second half (8-of-25 field goals) while steadily chipping away at the deficit.

The comeback was fueled by Lukas Morgan, who took over down the stretch with timely finishes in the paint and a clutch three-pointer with 1:04 remaining that put Dakota State in front 73–71.

Moments later, Nathan Ojukwu sealed the win with a late layup (assisted by Morgan) following a UMW turnover, giving the Trojans a four-point cushion in the final seconds (75-71) with nearly ten seconds left in the game.

Montana Western had a chance to tie in the closing moments after a layup by Young, but Dakota State came up with key defensive stops to preserve the two-point victory.

DSU outscored UMW 40-24 in the final twenty minutes of the game, thanks to their blazing 63 percent field goal shooting (17-of-27 field goals). 

Inside the box score

Dakota State finished the night shooting 58.0 percent from the field (29-of-50 field goals) and 9-of-19 from the 3-point arc.  Montana Western was 45.9 percent from the field (28-of-61 field goals) and 10-of-28 from the 3-point line. 

DSU had a slim rebounding edge over UMW (29-27).  Dakota State outscored Montana Western 32-28 inside the paint.
  Dakota State Statistical Leaders

• Lukas Morgan: 29 points (career high), 12-of-22 field goals, 5 rebounds
• Nathan Ojukwu: 20 points, 10 rebounds (double-double), 8-of-13 field goals, 4 assists
• Ryan Beckwith: 9 points, 5 rebounds
• Tyler Beckwith: 8 points, 2 blocks
• Brayden Pankonen: 5 points, 2 assists
• Taine Mitchell: 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 points

Montana Western Statistical Leaders

• Emanuel Steward: 23 points, 3 assists
• Kyle Gruhler: 13 points
• David Young: 12 points, 11 rebounds
• Kolter Merritt: 8 points
• Joshua Whiteside: 6 points

Team Statistics

Category	Montana Western	Dakota State
FG	28-61 (45.9%)	29-50 (58.0%)
3PT	10-28 (35.7%)	9-19 (47.4%)
FT	7-9 (77.8%)	8-10 (80.0%)
Rebounds	27	29
Assists	11	15
Turnovers	7	17
Points in Paint	28	32
Bench Points	17	8

Up next

Dakota State wraps up their Frontier Conference three-game home stand Friday against their traveling partner Bellevue (Neb.).  The Coaches vs. Cancer game, helping raise cancer awareness, is set for men's basketball's tip-off at 7 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse.