Trojans Tie Most Wins Since 2017-18 Season; Sweep Another Weekend of Conference Games
The Trojan Men’s Basketball team are getting things rolling again after another conference sweep this weekend defeating Viterbo 94-71 and Waldorf 79-66.
Friday
Five different Trojans scored in double figures on Friday against Viterbo. In the first half alone DSU led by 17 points and went into half up by 16. Viterbo played a better second half, but it was the 14-1 run at the end of the game that put the V-Hawks away in the final six minutes.
Dakota State shot 50% from the field in the game and 43.4% from deep. They made 13 threes, which is their second highest total this season.
The V-Hawks had four players in double figures. Led by Jack Monis with 19 points, followed by Ben Olson with 16, Colin Adams with 13 and Cole Crubel adding 12 off the bench.
Mison Coilton led the way for DSU with another double-double. Leading all scorers with 20 points and reeling in 12 rebounds which tied a season-high. Coilton also tied his season-high in assists with four. The other four Trojans in double figures were Josh Lewis (18), Japjit Gill (11), Uzo Dibiamaka and Brayden Pankonen both with 10. Lewis’ 18 points was a season-high. Which also came with season-highs in field goals made (7) and threes made (4), all coming off the bench.
Saturday
Saturday’s contest was a bit tighter than Friday. Another strong first half powered the Trojans to a solid lead they were able to manage. All courtesy of a career night for Uzo Dibiamaka. He finished with season-highs in scoring and field goals made. Along with tying his season-high in threes made (3).
Dibiamaka led all scorers with 25 points on a blistering 72.7% from the field going 8-for-11. A pair of other Trojans saw double figures. Lewis added 14 points off the bench and Coilton had 13 in just 17 minutes of play. Calvin Payne and Lewis led in rebounding with five each off the bench.
The Warriors had 17 turnovers in the game, but managed to lead in rebounding 34-29. 29 rebounds is the second lowest total of the year for DSU. Waldorf shot 51.9% in the second half in an effort to mount a comeback. They had four players finish in double figures.
Ugo Ejiofor led the team with 16 points to go along with 10 rebounds for a double-double. Khyle Washington was tied in the scoring lead with Ejiofor for the scoring lead with 16 as well. Noah Miller added 14 points and four made threes. Khalil Grayson contributed to the scoring effort with 12 points off the bench.
The Trojans tied their most wins in a season since the 2017-18 season with their 14th win. Including their best start in the NSAA with a 4-1 record since the 2014-15 season. Along with the first time since the 2015-16 season that the Trojans had won at least four straight NSAA games and swept a pair of conference opponents in back-to-back weekends.
Next Game
Next the Trojans will be in a battle with head coach Darren Tighe’s former team, the Mayville State Comets on Friday at 7:30pm.