Disappointment in the End

The Jack's played host to the Storm of Southeast Community College out of Beatrice, NE on Sunday afternoon. On the line, a birth in the Division II National Tournament. Dakota College fought valiantly and came back huge in the second half, but fell 72-69 in the end.

The first half was back and forth over the first 10 minutes, with neither team taking much of an advantage. However, with a 4 point lead at 35-31 the Storm proceeded to go on a 12-2 run to expand the lead up to 47-33 at the half. The Jacks struggled from the field for the half hitting only 35% of their shots, including 2-8 from three. The Storm on the other hand hit 15-30 (50%) from the field, including 6-8 from three. The bench was huge for SECC with 20 points for the half.

Once the second half started neither team could get going, as the Storm scored two points and the Jacks struggled to score their first five possessions leaving the game at 49-33 with around 16:00 to go. From this point however DCB got going, proceeding to go on an 18-2 run over the next 7-8 minutes to tie the game at 51 with just over 7:00 to go. Over the next seven minutes the teams would swap leads, with the biggest lead over the last seven minutes being a five point lead for SECC. Dakota College would see their biggest lead of the game a couple times at three points.

In the second half both teams struggled, DCB hit on 34% of their shots while SECC hit 32%, including 1-6 from three. The Jacks continued to take care of the ball with only 9 turnovers for the game and three in the second half. Over the three playoff games the average turnovers has been down from 15 to 8. On the flip side the Jack's defense forced 17 turnovers, scoring 16 points off these. Southeast held the edge in rebounds 47-45, with Dakota College winning the offensive board battle 20-16.

Leading the Jacks was Keouvion McCalop with 26 points (9-13 shooting, 8-11 free-throw), 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Louis Williams scored 18 points with 8 rebounds, while Pat Robinson scored 14 points with seven rebounds and four steals.

The Jacks finished 18-16 on the season, and are saying goodbye to seven sophomores who took the court for the last time in a Jack's uniform: Jalyn Turner, Julian Short, Pat Robinson, Shaq Carlyle, Kristoff Walker, Keouvion McCalop, Darion Hancock, and Gilbert Carter.  Turner was named All-Region, while Carter garnered All-Conference, and Region Player of the Year awards.