The Lumberjack Basketball team gave their four Sophomores a Sophomore Night to remember Wednesday night inside "The Woodshed". The Jacks took down conference leader North Dakota State College of Science 87-81.
The first half was tightly contested with the Jacks holding a narrow lead most of the first half. A late run by the Wildcats including a 3-pointer just before the buzzer gave NDSC a 50-45 lead. Moustapha Diomande paced the Jacks in the first half with 13 points. Jikany Deang led the Wildcats with 17.
The Wildcats scored five quick points to push the lead to double figures. A steal and a rim shaking dunk by Edward Lual got the Jacks and the crowd back into it. Two more quick baskets cut the Wildcats lead to 55-51. The Wildcats responded with a basket on the other end and took a timeout. Another score by the Wildcats pushed the lead back to eight at 59-51. Back-to Back 3-pointers by Jaden Arzola brought the Jacks back within two for the first time since late in the first half. A few minutes later a floater in the lane by Elijah Reynolds tied the game. NDCSC scored on the other end to retake the lead. The Jacks scored on the other end to tie the game then stole the inbound pass and scored to retake the lead for the first time since the first half a lead the Jacks would not relinquish. Down the stretch the Jacks would struggle with turnovers giving the Wildcats an opportunity to steal the win late. With 20 seconds left Damjan Tapuskovic found Reynolds at the top of the key, and he knocked down a big 3-pointer to put DCB up 6 and sent the Jacks student section into a frenzy. Two more free throws by Reynolds in the closing seconds gave the Jacks the 87-81 victory. The Jacks who hadn't defeated the Wildcats in more then 15 years before last season, have now defeated the Mon-Dak powerhouse two consecutive years inside "The Woodshed."
Reynolds led five Lumberjacks in double figures with 17 points off the bench. Arzola and Tapuskovic each had 16 points. Diomande chipped in 13 points, and Lual finished 11. Not to go unnoticed MarQuez Tyree pulled down 14 rebounds including six offensive boards. Cham Okey led the Wildcats and all scorers with 22 points.
The Jacks improve to 18-11 overall and 5-6 in league play. DCB wraps up their regular season Sunday evening at Dawson. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00p.m. (CST). The Jacks then return home the following Saturday to host the Region 13 Tournament for the first time in 10 years. Tip time for the Jacks is slated for 1:00p.m.