Waldorf drops road loss to Dickinson State
By Aaron Schneider
DICKINSON, N.D. – Hot perimeter shooting provided Dickinson State University with a boost in a 93-61 win over the Waldorf College men’s basketball team during Tuesday’s North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) matchup.
The Blue Hawks (7-3, 1-0) were on target all night, shooting 52.9 percent as they went 36-of-70 from the field and 12-of-26 (46.2 percent) from 3-point range.
“They had guys step up and make shots,” Waldorf coach Nigel Jenkins said. “They played with a lot of energy, a lot of emotion and passion. We’ve just got to find it in ourselves to be able to match that. You can’t win on the road if you don’t bring that type of energy and emotion.”
Waldorf (6-4, 1-3) is currently receiving votes in the latest National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division II poll and was held to a 36.7-percent effort from the field. The Warriors finished 22-of-60 from the floor and 5-of-23 (21.7 percent) behind the arc.
“We had good looks,” Jenkins said. “Our shots didn’t fall for us. They got some easy buckets on us and it got out of hand pretty quick.”
Senior Erik Brewer led Waldorf with 12 points. Juniors June Prowell and Tyler Parrish also scored in double figures with 10 points each.
Junior Pierre Roddy added eight points for the Warriors while junior Michael Morgan and sophomore Kaden Verdin notched six points apiece. Sophomore BJ Brown provided five points, freshman Devon Collins contributed three points and sophomore Eric English rounded out the scoring with one point. English also pulled down a team-high seven rebounds in 19 minutes of play.
Curtis Redd propelled Dickinson State’s offense, tallying a game-high 33 points. Redd entered the game 0-of-12 from the perimeter on the season, but was able to catch fire by shooting 7-of-11 (63.4 percent) from downtown. Redd also converted 10-of-17 (58.8 percent) from the floor and sank 6-of-9 (66.7 percent) from the charity stripe.
“When kids are playing at home, they shoot the ball better,” Jenkins said.
Julian Vazquez poured in 17 points for the Blue Hawks, shooting 7-of-10 (70 percent) from the floor. Stephon Dafney netted 11 points, going 4-of-8 (50 percent) from the field.
The Warriors fought to overcome Dickinson State’s size advantage in the post, which included players towering at 6-foot-8, 6-foot-11 and 7-foot. In the paint, the Blue Hawks outscored Waldorf by a 38-28 margin.
“Their big guys inside, we did a decent job on them, but it just wasn’t enough,” Jenkins said.
It was a competitive contest early, but Dickinson State steadily seized momentum midway through the opening half and led 51-31 at halftime. The Blue Hawks never looked back, pulling away behind a 42-30 second-half advantage.
“After they made a little run on us and a couple shots didn’t fall, we just couldn’t get back into it,” Jenkins said.
The Warriors turned the ball over 14 times while Dickinson State committed 12 turnovers. Despite a two-turnover separation, the Blue Hawks outscored Waldorf 26-16 in points off turnovers.
Dickinson State cleaned up the glass, out-rebounding the Warriors 47-32. The Blue Hawks used 17 offensive boards to earn an 18-5 advantage in second-chance points.
Waldorf made the most of its free-throw opportunities, converting on 12-of-16 (75 percent) attempts from the line. Dickinson State knocked down 9-of-17 (52.9 percent) shots from the charity stripe.
The Warriors’ conference schedule has proven to be challenging. Waldorf steps away from NSAA play for yet another test, facing NCAA Division III’s Wartburg College (4-3) in Saturday’s 2 p.m. contest at Waverly.
“Our nonconference schedule doesn’t get any easier,” Jenkins said. “We’ve got to have a good week of practice and be ready to go on Saturday.”