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A.I.I.'s No. 3 seed Dakota State roared back in the second-half, outscoring No. 5 seed and host-team Jamestown (N.D.) 45-25 to earn a 78-76 thrilling victory in the rematch of last year's A.I.I. Championship game (where DSU won last year by the score of 82-73 in Madison, S.D.). The Trojans captured back-to-back conference tournament championships for the first time in school history.
Jamestown shot a blistering 60.6 percent from the field in the first-half (20-for-33). JC drained 10 3-pointers in the first-half as they raced to a 51-33 halftime advantage. The Trojans struggled by shooting 37 percent from the field (10-for-27) and 6-for-13 from the 3-point line.
JC's half-court shot at the end of the game's buzzer fell short as Dakota State completed a huge comeback. It was the third straight game in the A.I.I. conference tournament that Dakota State had trailed at halftime and used a strong second-half to secure the win.
DSU shot 51.4 percent in the second-half (18-for-35), including 7-for-13 showing from the 3-point line (53.8 percent). JC was held to 39.1 percent (9-for-23) and 4-for-9 from the 3-point arc.
Yusuf Vinson had 19 points for the Trojans. He grabbed eight rebounds. Luke Lamb recorded a double-double of 15 points and earned 10 rebounds. Tyrone Gordon, Jr. added 15 points and dished out four assists. John Lamb scored 17 points on his 6-for-13 from the field and 5-for-11 from the 3-point line.
Mark Hoge poured in 36 points for the Jimmies. He was 12-for-19 from the field and 9-for-11 from the 3-point line. Breshioin Tucker added 15 points and produced eight assists. Davon Thomas had 10 points. Benny Collins earned 11 rebounds.
Dakota State shot 45.2 percent from the field (28-for-62) compared to the Jimmies' 51.8 percent (29-for-56).
JC went 14-for-24 from the 3-point arc (58.3 percent), while DSU was 13-for-26 from the 3-point line (50 percent).
The Trojans outrebounded JC 38-31.
Dakota State exteneded their school record wins with 22 (currently 22-9). Jamestown is 15-18 overall record.
Both teams advanced to the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Tournament in Point Lookout, Mo. on March 6-12. The pairings will be announced on Wednesday evening at 7:15 p.m.
Courtesy: Nick Huntimer
