Box Score

Four players scored in double figures as the DBU Patriot Basketball Team earned a hard-fought, 81-72 win over visiting South Dakota Mines, Monday evening at The Burg Center. The non-conference win is the Patriots' fourth consecutive victory, as they move to 11-12 overall.
 
Monday's contest was also the 2013-14 home finale for the Patriots and included a pregame program honoring seniors Cory Carden and Remy Ndiaye. Both players transferred to DBU prior to the 2012-13 season and have competed in all 39 games over the last two years.
 
"Cory (Carden) and Remy (Ndiaye) are both high character guys," said DBU Head Coach Blake Flickner. "They are both very special to me, special young men; we're really going to miss their leadership."
 
The Patriots jumped on top 12-4 to start the contest, holding a single-digit lead throughout the majority of the first half, extending their lead to 10 with just under six minutes remaining. The Hardrockers climbed back within five with less than two minutes remaining, before DBU pushed their lead to 38-30 heading into the intermission.
 
A fast-paced start to the second half saw DBU extend their lead to 16 at 52-37, six minutes into the frame. The two clubs battled back and forth the rest of the way, with the Patriots leading by as many as 18, before a late Mines charge cut the DBU advantage to 73-67 with 1:41 remaining. DBU responded with a pair of free throws from both Jonathan Perry and Wesley Gipson, putting things out of reach for the eventual nine-point win.
 
Myles Johnson led all scorers with 20 points, adding five rebounds. Jason Gentry added an outstanding all-around performance with 15 points, six boards, and eight assists. Gipson and Perry rounded out the double-digit scoring, pitching in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
 
"Jason (Gentry) is playing great," added Flickner at the half. "He is a great spark and when he's knocking down shots he sure is tough to guard."
 
All totaled, DBU shot 49-percent from the field, including 45-percent from long distance, while the Patriot defense held the Hardrockers to just 43-percent shooting. Mines held the advantage rebounding, grabbing 32 to DBU's 24. Each team tallied 13 turnovers.
 
"Rebounding has been a bugaboo for us this year. We have to rebound collectively, we have to continue to scrap. It has been better, but we have to continue to improve," added Flickner.
 
South Dakota Mines (6-18) also had four players in double-figures, led by 18 points from Trevor Zacher. Calvin Thomas and Andrew Rebol each pitched in 12, with Lance Kilburn adding 10. Rebol and Kilburn each grabbed a game-high seven rebounds.
 
The Patriots take to the road for three remaining Heartland Conference games, looking to fight their way into the conference tournament. DBU currently stands one game behind University of Texas-Permian Basin for the final tournament spot, with games left against Oklahoma Christian, Newman, and Oklahoma Panhandle. The first test, Oklahoma Christian, will be this Thursday at 7 p.m.