Jacks take win over Mastodons

Victoria Berndt, Sports Reporter

Although it started out rough, the Jacks defeated the Mastodons 92-83.

“I felt that this was a really high-level college basketball game,” said head coach T.J. Otzelberger. “They are a really good team.”

Mike Daum started the game strong with a 3-pointer. And Flatten followed as he went one for seven inside the 3-point line and zero of four outside the arc.

“I’m proud of our guys and how they battled through the first half,” Daum said in the press conference after the game.

Mastodons went on a 12 to two run in the middle of the first half, taking the lead from the Jacks. Going into halftime the Jacks trailed the Mastodons 49-53.

In the first five minutes of the second half, the Jacks were shooting zero percent from the 3-point line and 22 percent from field goal range.

Purdue Fort Wayne combatted the Jacks shooting percentage with a 75 percent from the 3-point line and a 50 percent from field goal range.

Fighting back from the low percentages, Flatten started some energy with a steal and dunk combo. Following the dunk was a dunk by Daum with an assist from redshirt guard Alex Arians.

“Really fortunate to have great seniors, great guys who know how to win,” Otzelberger said. “They stepped up when the game was on the line.”

Daum made his way to the Top 10 NCAA All-Time Scorers during the second half. Also took over the All-Time Summit League Rebounder.

He finished the game with 38 points, 20 rebounds, three assists, five blocks and three steals.

“This win was huge for us,” Daum said.

Next up, SDSU takes on the University of South Dakota Coyotes at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23 in Frost Arena.