THE RUNDOWN
The DBU Patriots made history on their way to securing a 100-79 victory over the Colorado School of Mines, earning the program's first-ever trip to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. Cam Kahn was named the Tournament MVP after leading DBU with 20 points and a team-high seven rebounds, while Trevor Frank's standout performance earned him a spot on the All-Tournament Team. The Patriots came out strong in the first half, dominating both offensively and defensively, and never looked back as they built a commanding lead. With contributions from several key players and an unwavering team effort, DBU capped off a historic win, ensuring their place among the nation's elite teams for the first time in program history.
The Patriots came out strong in the first half against the Mines, setting the tone early with a layup from Cam Kahn and an immediate defensive effort that forced a 10-second violation on CSM. Ricky Lujan followed with a quick layup in the paint, giving DBU an early 4-0 lead. Mines answered back, tying the game at 4 apiece before taking their first lead after a foul on Trevor Frank put them at the line, making it 6-4. The Patriots quickly responded, with Issac Bullard sinking a set of free throws to knot the game up at 6-6. From there, the game turned into a back-and-forth affair. Cody Stevens drained a three-pointer to tie the game once again, but CSM reclaimed the lead before DBU regained control. Xavion Brown grabbed a defensive rebound and assisted Bullard in the paint to give the Patriots a 12-10 lead. Lujan capped off a six-point scoring run, pushing DBU's lead to 14-10 with 14:46 left. DBU's defense ramped up, as the Patriots notched three steals in a minute, and Trevor Frank followed with a three-pointer, extending DBU's lead to 21-12. Junior Goodlet also added a layup to complete a 7-0 scoring run, pushing the lead to 23-12.
Despite a free throw from CSM, Frank responded with another three-pointer to give DBU their first double-digit lead of 24-13. CSM then tried to rally, using DBU fouls and turnovers to cut the Patriots' lead to 10, but shots from Kahn and Jaden Shelvin pushed DBU's advantage back to 15 at 31-16 with 9:57 remaining in the first half. CSM mounted another run, trimming DBU's lead to single digits as Riley Schroeder scored a layup to make it 36-27. However, Justin Haire stepped up with his first shot of the game to push the lead back to double digits. Foul trouble for DBU allowed CSM to cut into the lead again, but Frank responded with a clutch three-pointer to push DBU's lead to 45-32. With the Mines making a late push, a technical foul on CSM's Grant Pressly allowed DBU to extend their lead. Frank hit a pair of free throws, Brown had an explosive dunk, and Kahn added a layup to cap off a 7-0 run. The first half ended with the Patriots in control, holding a 16-point lead at 55-39, looking to build on their strong performance as they headed into the second half.
The second half of the game started with a bit of a struggle for the Patriots, as they faced difficulty connecting from beyond the arc. However, their relentless effort on the boards kept them in control, allowing Drew Calderon to hit a much-needed three-pointer to get the offense back on track. DBU's defense continued to shine as Xavion Brown registered a steal, leading to a second-chance layup from Ricky Lujan, extending the Patriots' lead to 21, 60-39, just two minutes into the half. Brown continued to play with aggression, pushing the lead to 23 with a quick bucket, capping off a seven-point scoring run. The Colorado School of Mines made a brief push, trimming DBU's lead to 18, but a dominant 9-0 run by the Patriots stretched the lead to 27, 71-44. The Burg Center erupted as Trevor Frank drilled his fifth three-pointer of the night, followed by a powerful dunk from Isaac Bullard, giving DBU their largest lead of the game at 29 points, 76-47, with 13:48 remaining.
Although CSM fought back, trimming the lead to 23 points, DBU responded each time, showing no signs of slowing down. The game turned into a back-and-forth exchange, but the Patriots never allowed the Mines to make any serious inroads. With the lead comfortably hovering around 25 points, the Patriots continued to apply pressure offensively and defensively. As the clock wound down, Mines continued to fight to cut into the lead, but DBU wasn't backing down. Calderon capped off a strong showing with a free throw, pushing the score to 94-66 with just over five minutes left. Then, with the game nearing its end, Cam Kahn put the final exclamation mark on DBU's historic night, draining a three-pointer to bring the Patriots to the 100-point mark for the first time this season, making the score 100-66. The crowd at the Burg Center was on their feet as the clock ticked down, celebrating a momentous achievement for DBU basketball. The Patriots sealed the victory with a final score of 100-79, earning the program's first-ever trip to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.
FOUR THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Tonight's triumph marks the Patriots' first-ever trip to the NCAA DII Regional Elite Eight in program history.
- DBU forced 21 turnovers and capitalized by scoring 25 points off those turnovers.
-Â The Patriots were relentless on both ends of the floor, accumulating 40 rebounds, 18 assists, and 13 steals, showcasing their defensive and offensive dominance.Â
- Xavion Brown led the team with seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals, delivering a well-rounded performance on both ends of the court.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
5 - Five Patriots scored in double figures tonight, with
Cameron Kahn leading the charge with 20 points.
Trevor Frank added 15,
Ricky Lujan chipped in 14, and
Isaac Bullard contributed 12.
42 - The Patriots' bench contributed 42 points, making a significant impact on the game.
60 - DBU was dominant in the paint producing 60 points in the paint compared to CSM's 34.
UP NEXT
DBU opens play in the Elite Eight on March 25th against No. 16 Lake Superior State. Tip-off is scheduled at 1:00 p.m.
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