MBB: Trojans' strong defense defeat Lancers in season opener
November 2, 2009
YANKTON, S.D. - The Dakota State University men's basketball team opened their 2009-2010 campaign under new head coach Gary Garner. The Trojans traveled to Cimpl Arena to face Mount Marty in a non-conference game. DSU trailed 22-17 at halftime, and Trojans used a strong second half defense for a 52-47 win.
After a low scoring affair in the first half, the Trojans opened up the second half with a 10-0 run to overtake a 27-22 lead with 17:02 left. The Lancers took the lead back with a 14-4 run to make it 36-31 Lancers with 7:41 left in regulation.
The Trojans used a 9-0 run to take a 40-36 lead with 5:43 left and extended to the largest lead of the night, 49-42 with 27 seconds left in the game.
DSU's defense limited Mount Marty to 22.2 percent from the field in the game. The Trojans shot 43.5 percent in the second half and 38.6 in the game. DSU made 17 field goals compared to the Lancers' 12. The Trojans had two more rebounds than Mount Marty, 36-34.
Mount Marty was 5-for-26 from the three-point line compared to the Trojans' 6-for-14. The Lancers was 18-for-24 from the free throw line to the Trojans' 12-for-20.
Santino Clay led the Trojans with 16 points and 5-for-10 from the field. Jackson Parr added 10 points.
Clay, Parr and Bryce Snyder each had six rebounds for DSU.
Stephen Kelekas came off the bench with 13 points for Mount Marty. Dan Harmon added 10 points.
Jared Wall had eight rebounds for the Lancers.
Dakota State will play in the USF/Papa John's Classic on Friday and Saturday in Sioux Falls. The Trojans will face No. 23 University of Sioux Falls on Friday night at 8 p.m. On Saturday afternoon, DSU will play Missouri Valley College at 4 p.m.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
