Vikings Top Bulldogs

Coach Fear’s men’s basketball team finished the regular season on a positive note Saturday afternoon.  The Vikings swept a season series with Concordia University with a 75-71 victory on Saturday. 

The Vikings raced out to an eight point lead early in the game.  Gabe Bross (JR, Omaha, NE) and Eric Maassen (JR, Hancock, IA) each hit a pair of jumpers in the paint.  Doug Huston (JR, Olathe, KS) and AJ Arkfeld (SO, Harlan, IA) knocked down a pair of three-point shots early in the half.  The Vikings continued to use the inside and outside shot to keep the Bulldogs at bay.  Zach Genant (JR, Springfield, SD) gave Dana a ten point lead as he sank a pair of free throws with 4:15 remaining in the half.  The Vikings then went could from the field as CU erased the ten point deficit and took a one point lead with 1:27 remaining.  Jon Person (JR, Olathe, KS) gave the Vikings a one point halftime lead as he drained a three pointer with three seconds left in the half.

The Vikings never trailed in the second half.  Eric Maassen helped Dana to extend the lead to seven early in the second half.  Dana could not pull away from the pesky Bulldogs.  Concordia tied the game up at 63-63 with 4:56 left to go in the game.  Maassen showed why he is one of the best big men in the GPAC.  He would hit a pair of free throws and knock down a jumper in the lane to give Dana a four point lead.  Jon Person then dashed all Concordia hopes with his second three pointer of the game.

Maassen led all Vikings with 16 points and 11 rebounds.  He also dished out two assists and blocked one shot.  Jon Person chipped in 14 points on six of ten shooting.   Doug Huston added ten points, five rebounds, and three assists.

The Vikings finish their regular season with a 14-16 overall record and 7-11 in conference.  Dana, the ninth seed, will travel to Crete, Nebraska on Tuesday night.  Dana will square off against eighth seed Doane College (12-15, 8-10) at 8:00pm.  The two teams have split the two games they have played this season.

For more information, please contact Shad Beam, Sports Information Director at 402-426-7389 or sbeam@dana.edu