January 11, 2020

DICKINSON, N.D. – After falling behind mid-way through the first-half in the North Star Athletic Association men's basketball conference action Saturday evening at Scott Gymnasium, Dakota State (S.D.) used a strong first-half closing run and held off Dickinson State (N.D.) 83-74 for the first conference win of the season.  The Trojans shot a blazing 55.8 percent in the game, fueling to their first road victory this season (last road victory was exactly one year ago at Valley City, N.D.).

Dakota State improved their overall record to 5-13, while Dickinson State fell to 3-12 overall record.  Both teams are 1-2 record in the conference standings, which included a four-way tie for fourth-place in the conference standings with Valley City State (N.D.) and Viterbo (Wis.).

The Trojans return home to kick off their four-game NSAA home stand at DSU Fieldhouse.  DSU hosts the co-conference leader Mayville State (N.D.) on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m., followed by another conference contest versus Presentation (S.D.) next Saturday in the second annual Ag Ball game at 5 p.m.

Dakota State (S.D.) 83, Dickinson State (N.D.) 74 – FINAL

• Knotted at 7-7, Dickinson State sparked a 16-4 outburst to open a 23-11 lead after a basket by Jesse Burns with ten minutes and twenty-seven seconds on the clock in the first-half.
• Trailing 25-13, Dakota State answered with a 25-9 scoring tear in the final 9:39 of the first-half.  The Trojans scored the final five points of the first-half, thanks to a 3-pointer by Josh McGreal followed by a pair of free-throws by Gare Ewefada for a 38-34 halftime lead.
• DaSU shot a sizzling 57.7 percent from the field in the first twenty minutes of the game (15-of-26 field goals) compared to DiSU 48.4 percent (15-of-31 field goals).
• Dakota State maintained their lead for the rest of the game, despite recording a pair of ties early in the second-half.  Leading 50-48, Brady Van Holland hit a 3-pointer followed by a basket by McGreal gave DaSU a 55-48 lead with 13:01 remaining in the game.
• The Trojans kept their lead between four- and seven points before securing the victory in the final 30 seconds of the game.  Anthony Costello hit a free-throw to give DaSU a 79-72 lead, followed by a pair of free-throws by Brady Elder and Ewefada for the victory.
• Dakota State outscored Dickinson State 45-40 in the second-half, thanks to their 53.8 percent shooting from the field (14-of-26 field goals).  The Blue Hawks were 44.1 percent from the field (15-of-34 field goals).
• Costello poured in a career-high 28 points on his 13-of-18 field goals and 2-of-3 free-throws for the Trojans.  He posted a double-double in the game, collecting a career-tying 13 rebounds.  He also had three assists.
• McGreal added 22 points for DaSU.  He was 8-of-13 from the field (3-of-4 from the 3-point line).  Ewefada had 13 points (6-of-6 from the free-throw line).  Elder scored seven points and stole the ball four times.
• Gavin Schipper scored five points and earned four rebounds for the Trojans.  Cole Bruhn also had four rebounds.
• Five Blue Hawks players hit double-digit in scoring, led by Montel Carlow and Malcohm Hill with 14 points each.  Jalon Timnin and Kenny Jackson each had 11 points.  Jesse Bruns tallied 10 points.
• Donte Walker had five points and five assists for DiSU.  Hill grabbed eight rebounds.
• Dakota State was 29-of-52 from the field compared to Dickinson State 30-of-65 field goals (46.2 percent).  Both teams made seven 3-pointers in the game and collected 31 rebounds.
• The Trojans missed only two free-throws in the game, making 18-of-20 (90 percent).  The Blue Hawks were 7-of-13 free-throws (53.8 percent).

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director