Dakota 113, Colorado 109

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Jan. 27 -- After building a 24-point first-half lead, the Dakota Wizards held off a late Colorado rally to beat the 14ers 113-109 on Sunday night.

With the win Dakota improves its Central Division-leading mark to 17-9 on the season. Colorado falls to 14-11and remains two games behind Austin in the Southwest Division.

The Wizards used 29-19 advantage in the second quarter to take a 57-41 lead to the locker room at the half. Carlos Powell helped break the game open with 11 of his game-high 30 points in the period. Dakota led by as many as 24 in the first half before the 14ers mounted a fourth-quarter comeback.

“I thought we played really well defensively. We got the stops when we needed to down the stretch,” said Wizards coach Duane Ticknor. “It’s tough to win on the road in this league, and to get out of here with a win tonight is really a tribute to our guys and the way they came ready to play.”

Despite an 86-71 deficit to start the fourth quarter, Colorado rallied on its home court to tie the game at 108 with 36 seconds remaining. Powell knocked down a pair of free throws to give Dakota a 2-point lead, and the 14ers failed to answer when Brian Greene missed one of two from the free throw line on the ensuing possession with 17 seconds remaining. Rod Benson added two more clutch free throws for Dakota, and Kaniel Dickens' 3-point attempt to tie it for the 14ers fell short with one second left.

Dontell Jefferson added 22 points and five assists in the win, while Benson and Kevin Lyde also posted double-doubles in points and rebounds for the Wizards.

Dickens led the 14ers with 27 points on the night. Eddie Gill added 19 points and 14 assists for Colorado.

The Wizards continue on the road Friday night when they will visit the Albuquerque Thunderbirds. Colorado will host the Iowa Energy in Broomfield on Friday night.