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Northwestern (Iowa) outscored Dakota State 46-32 in the second-half Saturday afternoon to earn a 77-62 victory at the Bultman Center. The Red Raiders ended Trojans’ six-game winning streak.
Dakota State, receiving votes to the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Poll, dropped to 7-2 overall record – both losses coming to Northwestern. The Red Raiders, No. 9 in the national poll, improved their overall record to 9-3. NWIA won their ninth straight meeting in the series with the Trojans.
The Trojans and Red Raiders battled through the first-half with four times and seven lead changes. Dakota State had their biggest lead of the game at 21-15 with six minutes and 40 seconds remaining before intermission. From there, NWIA used a 16-9 run to earn a one-point halftime lead at 31-30.
Dakota State shot 50 percent from the field (12-for-24) in the first twenty minutes of the game, including 4-for-7 from the 3-point line. The Red Raiders were 37 percent from the field (10-for-27) and 11-for-13 at the free-throw line (84.6 percent).
With the score tied at 34-34 with 17:46 remaining in the game, Northwestern went on a 14-2 scoring run in a span of five minutes to earn a 48-36 lead.
The Trojans trimmed their deficit t0 48-40 with 11:16 left, but the Red Raiders maintained their double digit lead for the rest of the game.
Marcus Smith scored 17 points for Dakota State. He was 5-for-10 from the field, including 3-for-5 from the 3-point arc. He was 4-for-5 at the free-throw line. Terrell Newton added 16 points on his 6-for-11 shooting from the field (2-for-3 from the 3-point arc) and converted two free-throws. He grabbed eight rebounds and recorded two blocked shots. Cameron Krump had 12 points. He was 5-for-7 from the field. Keith Lee II scored nine points and dished out three assists.
Daniel Van Kalsbeek poured in 23 points off the bench for Northwestern. He was 9-for-10 from the field and 5-for-8 at the free-throw line. Ben Miller added 15 points. Zack Leeper had 11 points. Van Kalsbeek, Miller and Rob Gill each earned six rebounds. Josh VanderPlaats, Miller and Joey Habtermariam each recorded three assists. Miller stole the ball four times.
Northwestern shot 45.8 percent overall from the field (27-for-59) compared to the Trojans’ 44.4 percent (24-for-54). The Trojans were 6-for-17 (35.3 percent) from the 3-point arc, while NWIA made two 3-pointers in 12 attempts (16.7 percent).
The Red Raiders went to the free-throw line 28 times, converting 21 free-throws (75 percent). Dakota State was 8-for-13 from the free-throw line (61.5 percent).
NWIA outrebounded the Trojans 41-27.
There were a total of six ties and 11 lead changes in the game.
Dakota State looks to bounce back in the winning column as they conclude their road stretch next Saturday (Dec. 15). The Trojans travel to Mayville, N.D. to take on Mayville State in an Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) conference game. Tip-off from the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse is set for 7:30 p.m.
Courtesy: Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
