Turnovers Key in Viking Loss

The Dana College men's basketball team squared off against Nebraska Wesleyan Tuesday night, looking to avenge a 68-55 loss to the Prairie Wolves in late November. After a hard-fought first half, the Vikings struggled in the second period, falling to Wesleyan, 72-61.

Trent Mumma (SR, Bennington, Neb.) put the Vikings on the board first with a driving lay-up ten seconds into the game. Wesleyan quickly responded on its first possession with a basket of its own.  
 
The Prairie Wolves stretched their lead to 12 with five minutes remaining in the first half. Doug Huston (JR, Olathe, Kan.) hit two consecutive three pointers for the Vikings guiding them to a 17-6 run to close out the first half.  After 20 minutes of play, the Vikings trailed, 37-36.

Nebraska Wesleyan opened the second half with five quick points to take a six-point lead.  The Vikings hung tough for most of the period, cutting the lead to six with 4:47 to play, but 11 second-half turnovers hurt their comeback chances as they fell 72-61.

Huston led all Viking scorers with 18 points along with five rebounds. Eric Maassen (JR, Hancock, Iowa) had 17 points, eight rebounds, and two blocked shots.  AJ Arkfeld (SO, Harlan, Iowa) dished out eight assists in the loss.

Dana falls to 10-14 on the season, 3-9 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. Nebraska Wesleyan improves to 11-7 overall, 5-6 in the GPAC.  The Vikings travel to Yankton, S.D., on Saturday to take on Mount Marty.  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.