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Trojan men’s hoopsters win season opener with strong second-half
October 29, 2010
MITCHELL, S.D. - The Dakota State University men's basketball opened their season in the two-day DWU/Fulton State Bank Classic at the Corn Palace on Friday night. The Trojans faced Graceland (Iowa), an NAIA Division I school in basketball. Dakota State led 41-35 and finished strong with a late run to defeat the Yellow Jackets 92-72.
The Trojans raced to a 21-11 lead in the early first-half. The Yellow Jackets came closer by four points (38-34) with 2:20 left before halftime. The Trojans closed the first-half with a 3-1 run to take a six-point halftime lead.
With Dakota State leading 60-58 with 11:42 left in the game, the Trojans used a 9-0 run to expand their lead to 69-58 with 8:31 left. DSU continued their strong run and held the Yellow Jackets to 14 points in the final 11 minutes. The Trojans closed the game with a 32-14 run to secure the victory.
Four 
players scored in double digits for DSU. Mike Larsen recorded 29 points. He shot 9-for-14 from the field, including 6-for-10 from the 3-point line. Larsen went 5-for-5 at the free-throw line. Spencer Adams added 20 points on his 8-for-13 shooting night. Santino Clay scored 20 points. He shot 7-for-12 from the field. Jordan King scored 10 points. Bryce Snyder added eight points.
King dished out eight assists for the Trojans. Larsen added seven assists.
For Graceland, all starters scored in double digits. Brad Burgus had 16 points. Jake Smith recorded a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds. Tyler Raasch had 13 points. Nick Mikle added 11 points. Chris Henderson-Well scored 10 points.
The Trojans outrebounded the Yellow Jackets 42-25. Adams had seven rebounds for the Trojans. King added six rebounds.
Dakota State shot 54.5 percent from the field compared to the Yellow Jackets' 42.4 percent. The Trojans went 36-for-66 from the field. Graceland shot 25-for-59 from the field.
DSU looks to make it two straight wins as they face their in-state rival Dakota Wesleyan, No. 20 in the NAIA Men's Basketball Division II Preseason Poll, on Saturday night. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. at the Corn Palace.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
