DSU Men’s Basketball Teams Ends Losing Streak

Five Dakota State players hit double digits in scoring Saturday night, as the Trojans men’s basketball team rolled past Montana Western 82-68 on the second day of the Sam Milanovich Classic. The Trojans shot a blazing 54.4 percent from the field and held the Bulldogs to just six 2-point field goals in the game.

Montana Western kicked off the game with a pair of 3-pointers getting to an early 6-0 lead. DSU then snapped its scoring drought as Manny N’tula scored the next three points, followed by a basket from Deshawn Kelly to cut UMW’s lead to 6-5. Then, trailing 11-5, the Trojans ignited an 8-0 run after Kelly hit back-to-back baskets. 

The fifth tie of the game was recorded at 33-33 with less than 50 seconds in the half, as both teams went into the break tied at 33. 

DSU went on a 19-4 monstrous scoring run early in the second half, as they gained their biggest lead of the game at 55-40. After some back and forth later in the half, the Trojans were able to go on a 9-0 run and were able to maintain a double-digit lead throughout the half.

DSU went on to outscore UMW 49-35 in the final twenty minutes of the game, to get the 82-68 victory. 

Kelley shot 10-of-13 from the field and hit 2-of-3 free-throws to pour in a game-high 24 points for the Trojans, while grabbing four rebounds and stealing the ball twice. N’tula tallied 18 points (tied season high) on his 6-of-8 field goals for the Trojans. He was 5-of-6 from the 3-point arc and pulled down six rebounds.

Chirs Morales scored a season-high 13 points for DSU.  He dished out four assists and registered three steals. Sam Muller added 12 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. 

Ronnie Latting had 11 points and nine rebounds off the bench for Dakota State.  He also had two blocked shots. 

Ky Kouba led the Bulldogs with 15 points on his 5-of-10 3-point field goals. He also had four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Dakota State ended its two-game losing streak to improve their overall record to 3-4.  Montana Western, who is coached by former Trojan men’s basketball athlete and assistant coach under head coach Gary Garner, fell to 5-5 overall record.

Dakota State wraps up the month of November on Wednesday evening as they return home for the first time since October 29th. The Trojans take on rival Dakota Wesleyan with a 7pm tip-off at DSU Fieldhouse, and the game can be heard on FM 103.1 or online at AmazingMadison.com.