Cox, Person Lead Vikings

Blair, Nebraska ~ Jon Person (SO, Olathe, KS) and Teddy Cox (SR, Hawley, MN) led the Vikings with 18 and 19 points respectively Friday evening.  The Vikings were unable to knock off #12 Dakota Wesleyan 73-70.

For the majority of the first half, it looked like David would be able to knock off Goliath.  Dana came out unfazed by the top 15 ranked Dakota Wesleyan squad.  The Vikings jumped out to a 13-5 lead in the opening five minutes.  Teddy Cox hit a jumper to give the Vikings an early eight point lead.  DWU then exerted its size and started to rebound better and evened the score at 21-21 midway through the half.  The Tigers stretched their lead to seven by halftime as Brock Seim of the Tigers hit a half court three pointer as the half expired.

Dana came out ready to defend its home court in the second half.  The Vikings tied the game at 49-49 with 13:39 left to go as Jon Person hit a jumper form the top of the arc.  DWU stretched its lead back to six points with seven minutes left in the game.  Coach Chris Fear then called a time out and rallied his troops.  Trent Mumma (JR, Bennington, NE) hit the first end of a one-on-one to draw Dana even at 62-62.  Jon Person snagged the offensive rebound and was fouled as he attempted to tip in the missed charity shot.  Person then hit both ends of his free throws to put Dana back on top with four minutes left in the game.

The two teams exchanged baskets and the lead the final four minutes.  Turnovers forced Dana to foul DWU in the closing minute.  The Tigers hit their crucial free throws to maintain their lead late in the game.  Dana dropped its fourth straight game.

The Vikings were led by Teddy Cox with 19 points on seven of 11 shooting (two of five from three point land).  Jon Person had a career high 18 points.  Eric Maassen (SO, Hancock, IA) returned from a doubt of mono to block two shots and pull down four rebounds.  Gabe Bross (SO, Omaha, NE) added nine points and four rebounds.

The loss drops the Vikings to 2-6 in GPAC action and 4-13 overall.  Dana will travel to Kearney, Nebraska on Monday to take on NCAA Division II foe UNK on Monday evening.

For more information, contact:


Shad Beam, sports information director, (402) 426-7389, sbeam@dana.edu

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Scott Guzinski, assistant Sports Information Director, (402) 426-7949, sguzinsk@dana.edu