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Second-half surge lifts Trojans over Warriors 83-81; DSU earns 10th win of the season
January 7, 2012
FREMONT, Neb. – Dakota State shot 69.6 percent (16-for-23) from the field and outscored Midland 50-42 in the second-half as the Trojans rallied back to defeat the Warriors 83-81 Saturday afternoon at Midland Event Center.
Dakota State improved their overall record to 10-6. Midland dropped their record to 10-7. Both teams received recognition to the latest NAIA Division II Men's Basketball national poll.
The Trojans held a brief 2-0 lead (by Keith Biggers' two free-throws) to open the game, Midland maintained control for the rest of the first-half. The Warriors shot 69.6 percent (16-for-23) in the game's first twenty minutes to gain a 39-33 halftime lead. DSU was 10-for-23 (43.5 percent) from the field.
Dakota State opened the first half with a 9-0 run to regain their lead at 42-39 with 17:41 left in the game.
The Trojans would able to extend their largest lead of the game on two occasions -70-57 (6:15 remaining) and 73-60 (5:01 remaining).
The Warriors closed the game with a 21-10 run, but DSU held on for the win.
Spencer Adams poured in 24 points for the Trojans. He was 6-for-14 from the field, including 4-for-8 from the 3-point line. Adams made eight free-throws in ten attempts. Jesse Bean added 18 points on his 7-for-9 shooting from the field. Biggers scored 16 points on his perfect 6-for-6 shooting from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. 
Donald Stewart had nine points, grabbed five rebounds and stole the ball three times. Keith Lee scored seven points off the bench. Jordan Snyder had a game-high eight rebounds.
Jalen Hueser scored 22 points off the bench for Midland. He was 7-for-10 from the field, and converted four 3-pointers in six attempts. Hueser went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Ben Imig added 18 points and dished out five assists. Donald Jones added 14 points and four rebounds. Marcus Messersmith scored 12 points.
Midland shot 64.4 percent overall from the field (29-for-45) compared to the Trojans' 56.5 percent (26-for-46). The Warriors were 10-for-17 (58.8 percent) from the 3-point arc, while DSU was 5-for-14 (35.7 percent).
The Trojans went to the free-throw line 32 times and made 26 free-throws (81.3 percent). Midland was 13-for-17 from the free-throw line (76.5 percent).
DSU committed a season-low eight turnovers in the game. The Warriors had 11 turnovers.
The Trojans outrebounded Midland 25-17.
Dakota State concludes their three-game stretch on the road on Wednesday night. The Trojans travel to Dordt, No. 2 in the latest NAIA Division II Men's Basketball national poll. Tip-off from the DeWitt Gymnasium is set for 8 p.m. in Sioux Center, Iowa.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
