February 20, 2007

Sioux City, Iowa ~ The Dana College Men’s Basketball team had to travel to Sioux City, Iowa for their opening game in the GPAC tournament.  Despite some early success, Dana fell 83-70.

The Vikings opened up a seven point lead with 12:40 left in the first half.  Jon Person (SO, Olathe, KS) put the ball up and in off a Sean Johnson (FR, Council Bluffs, IA) pass.  Morningside mounted a comeback and took a one point lead with eight minutes left.  The Vikings responded in kind as an Eric Maassen (SO, Hancock, IA) jumper put Dana back on top by four.  The Vikings went into the locker room at halftime up 34-32.

The Vikings stretched their lead to eight points as Eric Maassen laid the ball up and in and was fouled.  Maassen was fouled on the play and hit the free throw.  Morningside then mounted a furious comeback run that saw them jump on the Vikings by as many as 15 points.  Dana was unable to muster any type of comeback in the waning minutes.

Eric Maassen led the Vikings with 15 points and six rebounds.  Teddy Cox (SR, Hawley, MN) added 12 points.  Cox was six of six from the free throw line.  Jon Person chipped in ten points and six rebounds.  Doug Huston (SO, Olathe, KS) led the team with five assists and five rebounds.

The Vikings end their season at 8-22 overall.  Jared Kitzelman (SR, Fremont, NE), Teddy Cox, Rahshaw Sides (SR, Bellevue, NE), and Zeb Christensen (SR, State Center, IA) all played in their last game for the Vikings. The Vikings will be returning Doug Huston, and Eric Maassen from their starting line-up next season.

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