Trojans break Presentation 79-65

By: DAN HOLSWORTH, Madison Daily Leader Sports Editor

Despite injured players, Dakota State University's Trojans completed a two-game sweep of Presentation College at home on Tuesday.

With starters Leon Blue and Blake Hyde on the bench healing their ankle injuries, the Trojans were still able to break away early from Presentation College, racing to a 79-65 men's basketball win at the DSU Fieldhouse.

In November, the Trojans handed Presentation a 93-69 loss in the Super Eight Classic at Aberdeen.

Tuesday's decision lifted the Trojans' mark to 5-11, while Presentation's fell to 2-7.

Shuan Wisdom, Joe Backus, Matt Nulle and Anthony Scott provided DSU Coach Wade Kooiman with double-figures scoring.

Wisdom had a nearly-perfect shooting night, going 10-for-12 from the field and nailing down 27 points.

Backus and Nulle, playing the post, contributed 15-point displays, combining for 13-23 field goal shooting. Scott, who had a perfect 4-4 night shooting, added 10 more points.

"We had some guys step up and play well," said Kooiman. "Shuan and Matt Nulle were some of them, along with Derek Powell, who had a great game."

Backus played, even though hobbling somewhat with another ankle injury.

"Joe really had a good game, despite dealing with that ankle injury," added Kooiman. "We're really banged up right now, and we rested both Leon and Blake, hoping they'll be ready for Black Hills State and S.D. Tech this weekend."

DSU and Presentation completed closely in its first 10 minutes, with the game knotted at 25-25, but the Trojans closed out the first half by outscoring the Fighting Saints 17-5.

The Trojans' defense limited Presentation to 23-62, 37-percent field goal shooting and 30 rebounds.

"Donald Williams led our defense," said Kooiman. "He limited Marcus Robinson, PC's top scorer, to just seven first-half points."

In the second half, DSU stayed ahead of Presentation and outscored the Saints 37-35 in the game's final 20 minutes.

Nulle and Williams each had seven rebounds to pace the Trojans' 41-rebound effort. Ian Wright also claimed six caroms.

PC was helped along by the double-digit scoring of Robinson, who had 17 points, and Logan Huber, who had 10. DeMarcus Terrell and Trevor Krawchuk also had, respectively nine and eight points. Krawchuk had seven rebounds, Huber six and Robinson five.

DSU re-enters Dakota Athletic Conference play this weekend, traveling to Spearfish Friday to take on Black Hills State and moving on to Rapid City Saturday to face S.D. Tech.

©Madison Daily Leader 2006