February 8, 2007

Blair, Nebraska ~ The Viking basketball team looked to continue its solid play within conference Wednesday evening against Concordia University.  The Bulldogs would withstand a mighty Viking comeback attempt and win 75-71.

Things looked to be in favor of Dana at the start of the game.  Jared Kitzelman (SR, Fremont, NE) was awarded two free throws on the opening shot of the game.  Kitzelman drained both shots to put Dana up early.  The Vikings found themselves down 25-11 with 8:40 remaining in the opening half.  Coach Chris Fear called a time out to wake his team up.  Dana came out of the timeout on fire.  Nate Thies (JR, Norfolk, NE) hit a jumper to start the Viking comeback.  Zach Genant (SO, Springfield, SD) then hit two consecutive free throws to draw Dana within three points with three minutes remaining.  The Vikings continued to pressure the Bulldogs into mistakes.  Teddy Cox (SR, Hawley, MN) put the Vikings up three going into halftime as he sank a three pointer in the closing seconds.

Dana continued its run as the second half began.  Doug Huston (SO, Olathe, KS) drained a three pointer in the opening seconds.  The lead would be short lived as Concordia came storming back.  The Bulldogs would use an 8-2 run to go back on top by seven points.  Gabe Bross (SO, Omaha, NE) stopped the Concordia run as he hit a lay-up and was fouled.  Bross sank the free throw to draw Dana within four points.  Then Zach Genant hit another three pointer as the Vikings drew within a point.  Jon Person (SO, Olathe, KS) grabbed an offensive rebound and laid it back in to put Dana up by one.  Teddy Cox put the Vikings up by five with seven minutes left to go.  Things looked to be going the Vikings way until a rash of missed shots and fouls threw a wrench into the Dana motor.  Concordia used the Dana misfortunes to hit their free throws and regain the lead and go up by seven points with a minute remaining.

The Vikings would not go down without a fight.  AJ Arkfeld (FR, Harlan, IA) made a lay-up to draw Dana closer.  Teddy Cox drained a three pointer to bring Dana within three points.  The clock would not be Dana’s ally as it ran out of time before the Vikings could put up the game tying attempt.

Teddy Cox led the Vikings with 21 points on six of 13 shooting.  Cox was five of eight from the three point line.  Zach Genant chipped in nine points, all from the three point arch.  Trent Mumma (JR, Bennington, NE) led the Vikings with eight rebounds.  Eric Maassen (SO, Hancock, IA) pulled down seven rebounds and added three blocked shots.

Dana falls to 8-18 on the season and 6-9 in conference play.  Concordia improves to 6-19 overall and 3-12 in conference.  Dana will travel to Lincoln to square off against GPAC foe Nebraska Wesleyan on Saturday at 4:00pm.  The last home game is scheduled for February 13^th against Doane College.  Game time is set for 7:30.  This will mark the last home game for seniors Zeb Christiansen (State Center, IA), Rahshaw Sides (Bellevue, NE) Jared Kitzelman, and Teddy Cox.

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