December 5, 2020
Photos credit by Karen Giles
MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) kicked off their North Star Athletic Association men's basketball season Saturday evening, hosting the league preseason favorite Bellevue (Neb.) at DSU Fieldhouse. After a defensive battle in the first half, the Trojans sparked a 13-2 second half run and held off the Bruins in a thrilling finish by the score of 63-60.
Dakota State earned its first win of the season, improving to 1-3 overall record and 1-0 NSAA conference. Bellevue, receiving votes recognition in the NAIA Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll, fell to 6-7 overall record and 0-1 NSAA conference record.
The Trojans halted their nine-game losing skid, dating back from last season (last victory was on Feb. 7, 2020). DSU also snapped their seven-game losing streak in the series meeting with BU, with the last win coming on Feb. 17, 2017.
Dakota State hosts Oak Hills Christian (Minn.) in a non-conference contest at DSU Fieldhouse Sunday afternoon. The game is set for 3 p.m.
Dakota State (S.D.) 63, (RV) Bellevue (Neb.) 60 – FINAL
- The first twenty minutes of the game saw five ties, two lead changes and lead no greater by four points by both teams.
- Bellevue opened with a 4-0 lead with a free-throw by Lewis Hayes, followed by a 3-pointer by Paulo Araujo with seventeen minutes and forty-five seconds on the clock.
- Brady Van Holland completed a 3-point play as the Trojans knotted the game for the first time at 8-8 with 14:12 on the clock.
- Trailing 15-12, DSU fueled a 9-2 scoring surge after going 3-of-3 from the field. A 3-pointer by Gare Ewefada, followed by back-to-back baskets by Gavin Schipper and a pair of free-throws by Josh McGreal to give DSU a 21-17 lead with 6:35 left in the first.
Jemeil King made a basket with less than 25 seconds left, earning a 27-26 halftime lead for Bellevue.- The Trojans shot 43.5 percent from the field in the first twenty minutes of the game (10-of-23 field goals) compared to the Bruins 42.9 percent (12-of-28 field goals).
- BU stretched its lead to 29-26 to kick off the second half with a basket by Lewis Hayes.
- Ronnie Latting scored six straight points in DSU's 6-0 scoring run to take a 35-29 lead with 16:18 remaining.
- Jordan Lynn made a lay-up with 14:07 to give Trojans a 39-31 lead, capping their 13-2 second half scoring outburst.
- After a basket by BU Michael Wright to cut DSU's lead to 41-37, Dakota State went on a 7-2 run to post the biggest lead of the game. Lynn drained a 3-pointer to give DSU 48-39 lead with 10:26 left.
- Down 54-45, Bellevue used an 8-0 scoring run to trim their deficit by one point after a 3-pointer by Jaylen Wiltz. DSU held on to a slim 54-53 lead with 2:36 remaining.
- Lynn completed a 3-point play with 1:16 left in the game, extending Trojans' lead to 59-55. Bellevue followed up with a 3-pointer by Keshawn Bruner with 50.9 seconds remaining.
- The Trojans answered with a basket by Latting to increase their lead to 61-58 with 28.8 seconds on the clock. BU's Hayes made a field goal inside the paint as they trailed 61-60 with 12.9 seconds to go.
Bruin King fouled Gare Ewefada, putting a bonus situation for the Trojans with 11.9 seconds remaining. Ewefada made the front side of the bonus free throw and added the back side of the bonus free throw as DSU led 63-60.- Bellevue missed two opportunities from the 3-point shot by Vinny Belcaster and King as time expired, securing the victory for Dakota State.
- Dakota State shot a sizzling 50 percent from the field (13-of-26 field goals) in the second half compared to Bellevue 44.1 percent (15-of-34 field goals). DSU outscored BU 37-33 in the final twenty minutes of the game.
- Latting paced the Trojans with a season-high 17 points (6-of-10 field goals and 5-of-6 free-throws). He also grabbed seven rebounds.
- McGreal, who was honored before the game with his 1,000-career points milestone, finished the game with 13 points. Lynn produced his first double-double of the season with season-highs of 12 points and 10 rebounds. He stole the ball twice.
- Schipper tallied eight points for DSU. Ewefada scored seven points off the bench. Latting and Van Holland each dished out three assists.
- King led the Bruins with 14 points. He had five rebounds and three assists. Bruner added 11 points, five rebounds and stole the ball four times. Wiltz tallied 10 points. Hayes registered four blocked shots.
- Dakota State shot a season-high 46.9 percent from the field (23-of-49 field goals) compared to Bellevue 43.5 percent (27-of-62 field goals). The Trojans were 4-of-15 3-pointers, while the Bruins were 3-of-18 from the 3-point line.
- DSU was 13-of-16 from the free-throw line, making all nine attempts in the final twenty minutes of the game. BU struggled at the free-throw line, going 3-of-7 free-throws.
- Both teams collected 32 rebounds in the game. The Bruins outscored the Trojans 42-34 inside the pant and 8-2 in second-chance points.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
