Vikings fall on road

Crete, Nebraska ~ The Dana College men’s basketball team mounted a comeback on Tuesday night, but fell short against Doane College, 68-62.

Dana College played its second straight Great Plains Athletic Conference foe and once again lost by less than 10 points. Tuesday’s game was one of rebounds and free throws. The Vikings held a 49-34 margin in rebounds and dominated on the offensive glass. Unfortunately this was not a good omen for Dana. The Tigers got to the line ten more times than the Vikings. In fact, Doane made more free throws (14) than Dana shot (11).

Dana’s Gabe Bross (SO, Omaha, Neb.) hit the opening bucket for Dana, but this would be the Vikings’ only lead of the half. Neither team could gain complete control of the game as Doane could stretch its lead to only six over Dana. The Vikings were not willing to quit on the evening and tied the game up seven times in the first half.

Doane stretched its lead midway through the second half to 12 points, but Dana would not go away. Two free throws and a jumper in the paint by Eric Maassen (SO, Hancock, Iowa) brought the Vikings to within eight. Doug Huston (SO, Olathe, Kan.) then drained a three-pointer with three minutes left to draw the Vikings within three. Huston then came up with a crucial defensive rebound. Bross then hit a jumper to pull the Vikings within one as the game was coming to a close. Dana was forced to foul in an attempt to get the ball back, but Doane hit its free throws to seal the game.

Eric Maassen (Hancock, Iowa) had a team-high 15 points. Teddy Cox (SR, Hawley, Minn.) was the only other Viking in double digits with 11. Maassen and Huston led the team with seven rebounds each. Huston also dished our seven assists. Jared Kitzelman (SR, Fremont, Neb.) pulled down six rebounds and had two steals.

The Vikings fall to 1-6 overall and 0-2 in GPAC play. Dana will host Briar Cliff on November 28 at 7:30 p.m. The JV men’s basketball team will open the evening against Briar Cliff at 5:30 p.m.