Vikings Cruise to Victory

In a season full of ups and downs, easy victories have been hard to come by for the Dana men’s basketball team.  With a double overtime victory three days earlier over Midland, confidence is beginning to grow for the Vikings heading into the home stretch of Great Plains Athletic Conference play. That confidence level should be even higher after an 84-62 blowout win over Concordia. 

The Vikings shot the ball extremely well to open the game, hitting six of their first seven shots of the game. Gabe Bross (JR, Omaha, Neb.) was huge early for the Vikings, scoring six of the team's first nine points. Concordia kept it close early on, trailing 15-10 with 13:39 remaining in the first half. Dana then outscored Concordia 23-10 over the next ten minutes to build its lead to 18.  The Vikings led at halftime 46-30. Halftime statistics showed the Vikings shot 73 percent from the field in the first half, shooting a perfect 4-4 from the three point and free throw lines.

Dana continued to shoot the ball well in the second half, leading by as many as 28 points late in the period. The Vikings’ defensive pressure forced 12 Bulldog turnovers. Zach Genant (JR, Springfield, S.D.) and Jon Person (JR, Olathe, Kan.) were major factors for the Vikings, coming off the bench scoring 13 and 12 points respectively.

Bross had a team-high 16-point effort, while Eric Maassen (JR, Hancock, Iowa) scored 11 points and pulled down five rebounds.  Doug Huston (JR, Olathe, Kan.) and Trent Albers (SR, Davenport, Neb.) each scored nine points for the Vikings.

Dana is now 10-12 on the season with a 3-7 GPAC record.  Concordia falls to 8-12 overall and 3-8 in conference play.  The Vikings will be looking for their third straight conference victory when they host NAIA No. 8 Northwestern on Saturday.  Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Story written by TJ Bartels, Sports Information Intern.  For more information, please contact Shad Beam, Sports Information Director at 402-426-7389 or sbeam@dana.edu.