January 29, 2007

Fremont, Nebraska ~ Dana College looked to win its second straight and fourth out of its last five games.  It took an additional five minutes to pull out an overtime win 80-78 over rival Midland Lutheran.

The Vikings found the new Midland Lutheran Events Center to its liking to start the game.  Dana opened the game with Eric Maassen (SO, Hancock, IA) hitting an uncontested shot in the paint.  The Vikings stretched the lead to six points with 11 minutes to go in the half.  Jon Person (SO, Olathe, KS) hit a 15 foot jumper to give Dana its largest lead of the half.  Midland was forced to call a timeout and then came out with a vengeance.  The Warriors went on a 7-3 run to take a one point lead.  Midland then went on to take a four point lead in the waning minutes of the half. Zach Genant (SO, Springfield, SD) hit a three pointer to cut the lead to one.  Genant then hit two free throws with four second left on the clock to give Dana a one point lead going into half time.

The second half saw Midland come out shooting.  The Warriors went on an 8-2 run to stretch their lead to four points.  Fremont native Jared Kitzelman (SR) single handily brought Dana back.  First, Kitzelman stole a ball from a Midland guard and was fouled on the lay-up.  The senior hit one of two free throws.  Following a Midland basket, Kitzelman hit two straight three-pointers to tie the game at 36-36.  The two teams continued to exchange the lead until Midland took a four point lead with five minutes left in the game.  Dana fought back to tie the game up by the end of regulation.

The Vikings were ready for the overtime.  Kitzelman then put Dana up early in the overtime, but the Vikings could not advance the lead.  Jon Person hit two free to tie the game.  Teddy Cox (SR, Hawley, MN) drained a three-pointer to advance the lead to five points with 45 seconds left.  The Vikings used two free throws by AJ Arkfeld (FR, Harlan, IA) with three seconds left to ice the game.

Eric Maassen was one of four Vikings in double digits.  Maassen went for a career high 20 points and pulled down a career high eight rebounds.  Jared Kitzelman went four of seven from three-point land for 16 points.  Teddy Cox added in 14 points and five rebounds.  Jon Person scored ten points.  Zeb Christensen (SR, State Center, IA) pulled down seven rebounds and chipped in two points.  Doug Huston (SO, Olathe, KS) led the Vikings with five assists.

Dana improves to 8-15 on the season and 6-7 in conference play.  Midland falls to 8-13 overall and 7-5 in the GPAC.  Dana will host Grace University on January 30 at home.  Tip-off is slated for 8:00pm.

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