By Matt Bos, NAIA Media Coordinator

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – (Box Score) – Trae Bergh knocked down nine three-pointers en route to a 29-point effort in leading No. 5 Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) to an 80-51 win over No. 8 Davenport (Mich.) in the first semifinal game at the 2015 NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship. This year’s event is being played at the Keeter Gymnasium.

Bergh’s long-range shooting heroics matched the second most three-pointers made in a single game, last accomplished by Chris Peterson (Eureka-Ill.) in 1994, and was one shy of matching the record, 10, set by Eric Kline of Northern State (S.D.) in 1995. Bergh made four in the first half, five more in the second half, draining 9-of-his-15 attempts.

“It’s pretty easy to say that Trae is simply special,” DWU coach Matt Wilber said. “He does everything the right way, he is an unbelievable competitor and I just love him. Today was such a big-time performance. Making the shots is one thing, but no one will ever question his effort. It’s a performance for the ages.”

Dakota Wesleyan improves to 32-4 on the year and moves on to play in its first ever national championship game tomorrow night. The Tigers are playing in their seventh Division II Championship.

Both teams got off to a slow start offensively, going scoreless for the opening two-plus minutes. Tied at four, Dakota Wesleyan scored the next eight points while going on an 11-2 run, that set the tone for the rest of the night. Bergh started the run with a three-pointer, followed by a basket by Kris Menning and then Bergh drained two in a span of four seconds to make the score 15-6.

Dakota Wesleyan kept a six-12 point lead for most of the rest of the half, kept close behind the play of Davenport junior Dominos Burnett, who scored 22 of his team’s 29 first-half points. A basket by Jalen Voss and two free throws just before the half ended put DWU on top 43-29 at the break. Voss led DWU with 16 first half points, followed by Bergh (14) and Menning (10).

Still a 14-point game early in the second frame, DWU put the game with a decisive 13-4 run, once again triggered by the shooting of Bergh, who electrified the crowd with three more from long-distance. Dakota Wesleyan led 64-43 at the 10-minute mark and pushed the lead to as many as 29 points by games end, 80-51.

Dakota Wesleyan shot 49% for the game, 40% (12-for-30) from the three-point arc. Bergh led the way with 29 points but he was far from being the only star on offense for the Tigers. Voss netted 22 points, Menning added 14 and Luke Bamberg scored four points, pulled down 10 rebounds and dished out five assists. DWU held a big advantage on the glass, 36-29.

“I thought we really looked like us,” Wilber said. “We had some really good looks and we will take those any day. I thought we did a great job of moving the ball, taking care of it and finishing.”

Davenport struggled from the field all game, limited to 30% from the floor and 21% (3-for-14) from the three-point line. Burnett led all scorers with 32 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the championship. The Panthers end the season with a 30-7 record.

Dakota Wesleyan will play the winner of the second semifinal game between No.2 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) and No. 3 Cornerstone (Mich.) in Tuesday’s championship game, beginning at 6:02pm. The championship game will be aired on ESPN3.