Vikings Drop Two Against Rated Teams

The Dana College men’s basketball team squared off against two top 20 teams last week.  The Vikings faced NAIA No. 16 Bellevue University on Tuesday.  The Bruins defeated the Vikings, 81-70.  On Saturday evening, Dana traveled to Vermillion, S.D., to face the NCAA Division II No. 7, the University of South Dakota.  The Coyotes defeated Dana, 96-61.
 
Both teams had their shooting touch the first half Tuesday night.  Dana was at 53 percent, while BU was at 67 percent.  Dana actually held a 16-15 lead early in the game.  The Bruins stepped up their defense and went on a 13-2 run to take a 10-point lead midway through the opening half (28-18).  Dana shook the Bruin pressure and went on a 13-3 run to even the game at 31-31. Bellevue took a 45-40 lead into the locker room.
 
Dana saw Bellevue open up a 13-point lead in the second half.  The Vikings cut the lead to five points 72-67 with five minutes left to play.  Dana was not able to get any closer and the Bruins stretched their lead to 11 as the final buzzer sounded.
 
Sean Johnson (SO, Council Bluffs, Iowa) and Trent Mumma (SR, Bennington, Neb.) were the leading scorers for the Vikings with 15 each.  Johnson was three of four from behind the three-point arch. Mumma was two of three from the same distance.  Johnson also dished out a team-high four assists and had three rebounds.  Eric Maasseen (JR, Hancock, Iowa) added 13 points and a team-high six rebounds. Point guard Doug Huston (Olathe, Kan.) added 11 points and dished out four rebounds.
 
Things did not get any easier for the Viking on Saturday night as they took on the University of South Dakota.  The Coyotes were rated anywhere from seventh to number one in NCAA Division II polls.
 
Dana fell behind 6-2 in the opening minutes of the first half. Johnson was fouled as he drained a three pointer.  Johnson hit his free throw to even things up at 6 then drained his second three pointer in 90 seconds to give Dana a 11-9 lead.  The two teams would exchange baskets and leads over the next three minutes until USD got hot from three-point land.  The Coyotes ended the half on a 26-11 run.
 
The second half was a forgettable one for Dana.  USD shot over 50 percent and stretched its lead to over 30 points.  The Vikings fought back to within 18 points as Gabe Bross (JR, Omaha, Neb.) knocked home a lay up.  This was the closest Dana would get the rest of the second half.  South Dakota came away with a 96-61 win in the Dakota Dome.
 
Four Vikings gave Dana 50 of their 61 points. Johnson led the Vikings with 14 points. Bross added 13 points and six rebounds. Maassen contributed 12 points and three steals. Zach Genant (JR, Springfield, S.D.) hit five of six free throws and gave the Vikings 11 points.
 
The Vikings are now 4-3 on the year and will open conference play on Tuesday against Midland Lutheran at home.  Tip off is scheduled for 8 p.m. following the women’s game.  
 
Dana will then travel to Rapid City, South Dakota for the South Dakota Tech Tournament.  Dana will play Black Hills State on Friday at 5 p.m. Mountain Time.  The Vikings will then play the host school on Saturday at 5 p.m. Mountain Time.
 

For More Information, please contact:

Shad Beam, Sports Information Director, 402-426-7389 or sbeam@dana.edu