February 17, 2007

Sioux Center, Iowa ~ The Viking men’s basketball team found itself down as many as 21 points on Saturday afternoon.  Despite a frantic comeback attempt, Dana would fall 77-68 in its last regular season game.

Teddy Cox (SR, Hawley, MN) would keep Dana close early in the opening minutes of the first half.  Cox would hit an open jumper and sink a free throw to give the Vikings a quick three.  Dordt would use Dana’s shooting woes against them.  The Vikings would only shoot 26.5-percent from the floor in the first half.  Dordt would get plenty of second chance opportunities and stretch their lead.  Jared Kitzelman (SR, Fremont, NE) would bring Dana within 18 points twice late in the first half.  Jon Person (SO, Olathe, KS) would nail a jumper with three minutes left in the half.  The Vikings would get no closer and go into the locker room at half down 42-23.

The second half would start off much like the first.  Dana would miss shots and Dordt would increase their lead.  Teddy Cox would get the Vikings within 16 points as he drained a three pointer.  Cox would go on a personal 8-0 run to get Dana within 11 points with 15 minutes left.  AJ Arkfeld (FR, Harlan, IA) would bring Dana within six points as he drained a three-pointer with ten minutes remaining.  The Vikings would not be able to get closer than six and would fall 77-68.

Teddy Cox and Jon Person would lead the Vikings with 14 points each.  Jared Kitzelman would add 11 points.  Eric Maassen (SO, Hancock, IA) would continue his solid paly in the middle as he would block two shots and pull down 14 rebounds.  Doug Huston (SO, Olathe, JS) dished out three assists on the afternoon.

The loss drops Dana to 8-21 overall and 6-12 in conference play.  Dordt improves to 19-11 and 11-7 in conference.  Dana will travel to Sioux City, Iowa to take on Morningside College on Tuesday night.  The Mustangs are receiving national rating votes and swept Dana in the season series.  Tip off in Sioux City is scheduled for 7:30pm.  The winner will travel to second seed Sioux Falls on Thursday 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