Backus honored as DAC Player of the Week in Men's Basketball

December 18, 2006

(Madison, SD) -  Joe Backus, a 6'7" junior forward from Wentworth, South Dakota, had recently honored by the Dakota Athletic Conference in Men's Basketball Player of the Week.

Backus averaged 20.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, one assist and one steal in a pair of setbacks against ranked Great Plains Athletic Conference teams (#10 Dordt College and #14 Dakota Wesleyan) on the road.  In two outings, he was 17 for 33 from the field including 1 of 1 from the three point stripe and connected on 6 of 8 free throw attempts.

In DakStats statistical national website, Backus is #28 in points per game (19.4), #30 in defensive rebounds per game (5.5), and #50 in total rebounds per game (7.5).  He is leading in the DAC Conference in points per game and rebounds per game.

Backus is the son of Wayne and Bonnie Backus of Wentworth, SD.

The Trojans (1-10) will try to get back on the winning track as they continue to play against Great Plains Athletic Conference foes for their next three games.  They will travel to Morningside College on Wednesday in Sioux City, IA at 8:00 pm.  On the 29th and 30th, the Trojans will take part in the Dakota Wesleyan Teammakers Classic as they will play against nationally ranked teams of University of Sioux Falls and host team Dakota Wesleyan at the Mitchell Corn Palace.  The Trojans will return back home on January 2nd, 2007 as they host NCAA Division II University of Minnesota-Crookston at the DSU Memorial Field House with the game time starting at 7:00 pm.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State Sports Information Director