Trojans End Losing Streak at the Buzzer

On Day Two of the Fairfield Inn by Marriott Classic, the Dakota State Men’s Basketball team ended their three-game losing streak with a buzzer beater over Haskell, winning 55-54. 

Haskell was able to keep DSU scoreless for the first five minutes of the game, getting out to an early 7-0 lead over the Trojans. Then, as DSU was trailing 11-4, Ronnie Latting was able to help ignite a 5-0 scoring run for the Trojans,  trimming into Haskell’s lead. 

The Trojans finally had their first lead of the game with 4:31 to go in the first half, leading 23-21. Haskell, however, closed out the first half on an 11-4 scoring run to take a 32-27 lead into the break.

The Fighting Indians came out of the gates in the second half hot, going on an 8-2 run for the biggest lead of the game. 

Down by ten, the Trojans began to mount their comeback with a 5-0 run, and as the Fighting Indians began to struggle offensively, the Trojans found themselves back in the game only down by one, 52-51. 

The two teams went into the final minute in a one-point game, with Haskell leading 54-53. DSU committed multiple fouls to force Haskell into free-throws in the final minute.   

After Trey Gaines missed a free-throw on the back side of the 1-and-1 bonus situation with 10.1 seconds remaining for Haskell, DSU regained possession on Latting’s rebound, and Sam Muller hit a game-winning bucket at the buzzer for a 55-54 victory.  

Dakota State outscored Haskell 28-22 in the final twenty minutes of the game, holding the Fighting Indians to just six points in the final 8:47.

Muller finished the game with a double-double of 13 points and pulled down 12 rebounds for DSU. He also dished out four assists. Latting added 16 points, five rebounds, and three blocks.  He was 7-of-10 from the field.

Ethan Slaathaug tallied nine points and four rebounds off the bench for Dakota State. Chris Morales grabbed five rebounds. Deshawn Kelly had four points and six rebounds.  

Bansi King led the Fighting Indians with 18 points on his 7-of-14 field goals.  He added four rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. 

Dakota State shot 40 percent overall from the field (22-of-55 field goals) compared to Haskell 

The Trojans closed out the 2022 calendar year by snapping their three-game losing skid, improving their overall record to 6-9. The Trojans finished the tournament with a 1-1 record.  Haskell fell to 4-12 overall record after going 0-2 in the tournament.

The Trojans return home as they prepare for NSAA action at DSU Fieldhouse. Dakota State rings in the new year of 2023 next Friday versus Valley City State at 7:30pm and next Saturday versus Dickinson State at 5pm. 

Both games can be heard on FM 103.1 or at AmazingMadison.com.