Trojans bumped by Mt. Marty

By: DAN HOLSWORTH, Madison Daily Leader Sports Editor

Double-figures scoring shows by Leon Blue and Donald Williams weren't enough for Dakota State University's basketball-playing Trojans on Monday.

Blue's 15 points and Williams' 11 could stop Mount Marty, which earned a 60-52 nonconference verdict over the Trojans at the DSU Fieldhouse.

DSU (6-21) fought hard for a 2-point halftime edge after Mt. Marty's Andy Witte closed the scoring gap from 31-26 to 31-29 with a 3-pointer.

At one point in the second half, DSU knotted the game at 45-all as Shuan Wisdom went 1-2 at the free throw line at the 10:05 mark. But the Lancers staged a 15-7 game-closing scoring run to nail down the victory.

Mt. Marty's offense was backed by Justin Bonnichean's 21 points, along with nine by J.J. Boyden and eight more by Andy Witte.

Mt. Marty had a 22-19 field goal edge over the Trojans, despite the Trojans having a slim 4-3 advantage in 3-point shooting.

In addition to the scoring of Blue and Williams, the Trojans got eight points apiece by Anthony Scott and Wisdom.
Off the boards, the Trojans outrebounded Mt. Marty 45-35, with Blue leading the way with nine nabs, followed by Scott with seven and Joe Backus with six.

Blue also had a pair of blocked shots, and Wisdom contributed six assists and three steals.

For Mt. Marty, Boyden had eight rebounds, three assists and a pair of blocked shots. Chris Filsinger added four assists and Witte had three assists.

DSU closes out its season on Thursday, traveling to Jamestown, N.D., to take on the Jamestown College Jimmies in Dakota Athletic Conference play.

©Madison Daily Leader 2006