Warriors Defeated by Trojans on the Road
MADISON, S.D. – In their sixth straight road game, the Waldorf men's basketball team had a conference game against the Dakota State Trojans on Saturday evening. The Warriors made a late push but were defeated 79-66.
"We dug ourselves too big of a whole. Way too many turnovers on mental mistakes," stated Head Coach Nigel Jenkins. "It's the first time in a while that we have had this many turnovers."
1st Half: Noah Miller (JR/Forest City, IA) and Gabriel Sorensen (JR/West Haven, UT) score back-to-back to start things off for the Warriors. Ugo Ejiofor (JR/Dallas, TX) made a field goal to tie the game at eight before the Trojans scored seven straight points.
Khyle Washington (SR/Atlanta, GA) scored six points to bring the game within four. The Trojans were up 33-17 with five minutes left in the half. Khalil Grayson (JR/Milwaukee, WI) went on to score four field goals with two free throws to close out the half. The Warriors trailed 47-29.
2nd Half: Sorensen got fouled on a made field goal and turned it into a three point play with a made free throw. The Trojans were up by 21 points before the Warriors went on a 12-0 run to bring the game within nine points.
The Trojans maintained their lead by 15 points with just under seven minutes remaining. Ejiofor scored six points and Miller drained a three-pointer. The Warriors were down by 10, 69-59. Miller made another three bring the game under 10 but the Trojans kept the lead to win 79-66.
"We competed really well (especially defensively) in the second half and cut the lead down, but we couldn't get over the hump," Jenkins added. "We are still searching for consistency with our defense. Have to get back to work on Monday."
Ejiofor finished with a double-double of 16 points (going 8-10 from the field) and 10 rebounds, with 2 blocks and 1 steal. Washington had 16 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals. Miller added 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists and Grayson tallied 12 points.
The men's basketball team will return to Hanson Fieldhouse for a weekend of conference games. The Warriors will host Dickinson State on Friday, January 26th. Tipoff is at 7:30 pm.