Kitzelman Leads Dana with 18 in Loss to UNK

Kearney, NE ~ Looking to snap a four game losing streak, the men’s basketball team traveled out to snowy Western Nebraska to take on the University of Nebraska-Kearney.  The Vikings hung close, but succumbed to the Lopers 79-63.

The first half looked as if Dana would give Kearney a run for their money.  Jared Kitzelman (SR, Fremont, NE) scored six of his game high 18 points in the opening five minutes on a variety of jumpers, lay-ups, and free throws.  AJ Arkfeld (FR, Harlan, IA) put Dana up one midway through the opening stanza as he drained a three-pointer.  The Vikings were unable to build on their lead as their shooting went cold.  UNK limited Dana to no second chance shots and forced the Vikings into three turnovers as they rebuilt a seven point lead.  The Vikings had whittled the lead back down to one as Nate Thies (JR, Norfolk, NE) hit two free throws.  The Lopers defense allowed the Vikings only three points in the final three minutes of the half as their stretched their lead to nine points.

Dana was unable to get on track in the second half.  UNK came out and stretched their lead to 19 points midway through the second half.  Dana was unable to create second and third chance shots as Nebraska-Kearney cleaned up underneath the boards.  Eric Maassen (SO, Hancock, IA) forced a Loper turn over and was rewarded on the offensive end as Teddy Cox (SR, Hawley, MN) set up an easy jumper for Maassen to draw Dana back to within 14.  That would be as close as the Vikings would come.

Dana drops its fifth in a row and falls to 4-14 overall on the season.  UNK is now 10-3 on the season.  The Vikings will return to GPAC play on Wednesday evening as they take on Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska at 7:30pm.  The Viking JV team will play prior to the varsity game at 5:30.  Dana will not play at home until January 20 against Morningside College.

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