Wildcats sweep No. 9 DCTC and Jamestown JV at Baymont Inn Classic; Stu Engen wins 200th game at NDSCS

North Dakota State College of Science men’s basketball bounced back from its second loss of the season by sweeping nationally-ranked Dakota County Tech and Jamestown JV at the NDSCS Baymont Inn Classic in Wahpeton.

The two wins also gave head coach Stu Engen his 200^th win at NDSCS.

Friday was billed as a big-time game, pitting the Wildcats against the last team to beat them at home in DCTC, but fans were treated to a defensive clinic by the Cats.

After trailing 9-7 midway through the first half, NDSCS responded with a 17-3 run that would help give them a 40-23 halftime lead. A dominant 60-29 second half advantage would see the Division Two No. 9 Blue Knights drop their first game of the season in a 100-52 decision.

Five players reached double figures for the Cats, led by 18 points from sophomore Damien Gordon and 17 points from classmate Duoth Gach.

DCTC shot just 34 percent from the field and saw the more physical Cats outrebound them by 20.

NDSCS (8-2) followed that performance up with a 98-73 win against Jamestown JV, using another big first-half run to help shift the game.

After trailing 10-6, the Cats scored 25 of the game’s next 36 points, helping to build a 48-35 lead going into the intermission.

Placing six players in double figures, NDSCS shot a blistering 57 percent from the field and converted 23 JU turnovers into 30 points.

Sophomore Noble Cooper finished with 17 points. The Idaho State signee scored 31 points in two games, shooting 12-for-17 from the field.

Freshman point guard Khari Broadway had a stellar all-around game, posting 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Freshmen Diang Gatluak and Jeremiah Smith each added 12 points, while sophomore Uhana Ochan (11 points, 7 rebounds) and Rayquan Moore (10 points, 5 assists) also had solid performances.

NDSCS has now won 16 straight home games and is 109-16 at home under Engen. The Cats will close their pre-Christmas slate with trips to Minnesota State – Fergus Falls and Northeast (Neb.) on Monday and Wednesday respectively.