The Dakota State University men's basketball team continued its four-game home stand Saturday afternoon, hosting long-time rival Dakota Wesleyan at the DSU Fieldhouse. The Trojans jumped to an eight-point halftime lead and held off the Tigers' second-half rally for a 68-64 victory.
It was the first home victory for DSU over DWU since Nov. 19, 2002 (DSU won 92-85).
DSU improved its overall record to 2-1 and 1-1 against members of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). Dakota Wesleyan dropped its second straight game to dip to 2-2.
The Trojans and Tigers battled through the high-scoring affair in the first 10 minutes of the game. Trailing at 25-24, DSU used a 11-0 spurt to gain a 35-25 lead with less than five minutes remaining.
DSU added two free throws with seven seconds left before intermission after DWU's head coach was assessed a technical foul. The Trojans held a 39-31 halftime advantage.
The Trojans maintained the lead for the last 20 minutes of the game. DSU had the largest lead at 56-45 with 10:46 remaining.
Dakota Wesleyan trimmed the deficit to two points (61-59) with 6:11 left. The Trojans widened their lead to 66-59 with 4:43 remaining and secured the victory.
John Lamb poured in 18 points for the Trojans. Luke Lamb added 17 points and Marcus Smith scored 15. Yusuf Vinson contributed seven points and six rebounds. Cameron Krump grabbed seven rebounds. Keith Lee II dished out three assists.
Five DWU players scored in double digits. Jalen Voss had a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds. Bo LaCroix scored 11 points off the bench. Carde Pennington, Danny Maman and Aireus Stephenson each added 10 points. Stephenson had six assists.
DWU shot 44.6 percent from the field (25-for-56) compared to the Trojans' 39.7 percent (25-for-63). DSU drained seven 3-pointers in 26 attempts (26.9 percent) while DWU was 4-for-14 (28.6 percent). DSU converted 11 free throws in 20 attempts (55 percent). DWU was 10-for-20 from the free throw line (50 percent).
The Tigers outrebounded the Trojans 43-37.
DSU will host Morningside College on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the DSU Fieldhouse.
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