January 27, 2018
DICKINSON, N.D. – North Star Athletic Association Men's Basketball conference's leader Dickinson State (N.D.) erased a seven-point deficit, using an 11-1 closing run in the final 1:41 of the game to defeat Dakota State (S.D.) 80-77 Saturday evening at Scott Gymnasium.
Dakota State fell to 10-15 overall record and 4-8 NSAA conference record. Dickinson State, receiving votes in the latest NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, lifted their overall record to 13-8.
The Blue Hawks currently own the sole possession for first-place in the NSAA conference standings with an 8-3 record, holding a one-game lead after No. 22-ranked Mayville State (N.D.) lost to Presentation (S.D.) 104-101 Saturday evening.
Knotted at 5-5, the Trojans went on an 8-2 run – thanks to a pair of 3-pointer by Brady Elder and Keeon Johnson – to open up a 13-7 lead with 16:15 left in the first-half. DiSU would answer back with a 6-0 run to tie the game at 13-13 with 13:52 on the clock.
Dickinson State used an 11-4 run to break up a 14-14 into a 25-18 lead with less than 10 minutes in the first-half, the largest lead of the game.
A basket by DaSU's Falcon Albers trimmed DiSU's lead down 41-38 with 43 seconds to go. The Blue Hawks would score the final three points of the first-half to extend their lead to 44-38.
DiSU shot 58.6 percent from the field in the first twenty minutes of the game, converting 17-of-29 field goals. DaSU was 43.3 percent from the field (13-of-30).
The Trojans cut the Blue Hawks' lead down to one point on two different occasions in the early second-half – a 3-pointer by Johnson as DaSU trailed 48-47 with 13:35 left and a 3-pointer by Josh McGreal as the Trojans trimmed DiSU's lead to 51-50 with 12:43 remaining.
A basket by Elder helped DaSU regained their lead at 64-63 with 6:32 to go in the game. Trailing 67-66, the Trojans went on a 9-2 scoring tear to post the biggest lead of the game at 76-69 with 2:07 remaining in the game.
After a free-throw by Elder to put Dakota State up 77-71, Jerry Shelvin made a field goal as the Blue Hawks cut down Trojans' lead down to 77-73 with 1:02 remaining.
Dakota State committed a turnover on the ensuing possession, while the Blue Hawks answered with a 3-pointer by Carter Gallo as DaSU's lead went down to 77-76 with less than 45 seconds to go.
The Trojans suffered another turnover on the next possession. Marcus White rebounded from a missed free-throw by Carter Gallo to give Dickinson State a 78-77 lead with 35 seconds remaining.
Dakota State was unable to convert another scoring opportunity. White added a pair of free-throws (DiSU missed seven free-throws in the second-half prior to White's two successful free-throw attempts) to extend Blue Hawks' lead to 80-77 with few ticks before the buzzer, securing the victory.
The Trojans outscored the Blue Hawks 39-36 in the second-half. DaSU shot 50 percent from the field in final twenty minutes of the game, making 15 field goals in 30 attempts. DiSU was 42.9 percent from the field (15-of-35 field goals).
A total of nine lead changes and three ties were recorded in the game. Both teams had the biggest lead of the game at seven points.
Five DaSU players scored in double-digits, paced by Johnson with a game-high 23 points. He was 8-of-16 from the field, including 5-of-11 from the 3-point arc, and made both free-throw attempts. Maurice Arrington and McGreal each added 12 points. Elder had 11 points. Justin Folkers scored 10 points.
Arrington pulled down seven rebounds for the Trojans. Johnson had six rebounds.
Arrington contributed five assists for Dakota State. Elder and Albers each added four assists. Brendon Boomsma had three assists and stole the ball twice.
White tallied 18 points for the Blue Hawks. He was 6-of-12 from the field and 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. Shelvin and Konner Goettsch each added 16 points. Gallo had nine points.
White led Dickinson State with eight rebounds. Ryan Clark had seven rebounds. White and Shelvin each had two blocked shots.
Shelvin dished out a game-high eight assists for DiSU.
The Blue Hawks shot 50 percent overall from the field (32-of-64 field goals) compared to the Trojans 46.7 percent (28-of-60). DaSU was 13-of-34 from the 3-point line (38.2 percent), while DiSU was 7-of-17 3-pointers (41.2 percent).
Dickinson State was 9-of-15 from the free-throw line (60 percent). Dakota State made 8-of-11 free-throws (72.7 percent).
DiSU outrebounded DaSU 38-31 in the game. The Blue Hawks outscored the Trojans 16-5 in second-chance points.
Dakota State returns back home next weekend after a 6-game North Star road trip. The Trojans play their final two regular-season games at DSU Fieldhouse (Trojans' scheduled home game versus Grace, Neb. on Feb. 10 has been counted as a forfeit victory for Dakota State), starting on Friday versus Waldorf (Iowa). The game is slated to tip off at 7:30 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse. 'Black-Out Night' is the game theme.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
