February 11, 2022

PHOTO GALLERY - Photos credit by Cody Welu

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) and Dickinson State (N.D.) went through back-and-forth battle in a key North Star Athletic Association men's basketball contest Friday evening at DSU Fieldhouse.  A total of 10 lead changes and four ties with the lead no greater than nine points by the Trojans. DaSU pulled off with a 68-66 overtime thriller over DiSU to earn the NSAA regular-season series split.

Dakota State earned their third win in the last four meetings with Dickinson State.  The Trojans improved its overall record to 12-15 (most wins since the 2017-18 season with 14 victories) and moved in a two-way tie for second place in the rugged NSAA standings with 7-5 record with Bellevue (Neb.).  Dickinson State dropped their overall record to 9-17 and moved in a three-way tie for fourth place with 6-6 NSAA conference record with Valley City State (N.D.) and Mayville State (N.D.).

Dakota State wraps up their home schedule Saturday evening as they host another key North Star match-up.  The Trojans host the Vikings with a 5 p.m. tip-off at DSU Fieldhouse.  There will be a brief seniors' night ceremony prior to the men's warm-ups.

Dickinson State remains on the road Saturday evening, traveling to Bellevue (Neb.) for another NSAA contest.  The game is set for 5 p.m. tip-off at Gordon Lozier Center in Bellevue, Neb.

Dakota State (S.D.) 68, Dickinson State (N.D.) 66 – FINAL/OT

• Dakota State raced to a 9-2 opening lead in the first three minutes of the game, capped by a basket by Lamarr Wood.  Dickinson State was forced to call its first timeout of the game.
• Ronnie Latting made a layup (assisted by Wood) to give the Trojans its biggest lead of the game at 13-4 with 14:04 on the clock.
• The Blue Hawks answered with an 8-0 scoring run, trimming their deficit to 13-12 after a pair of free-throws by Bryce Knox with less than ten minutes to go in the first half.
• Berto Gittens drained a 3-pointer to balloon DaSU's lead to eight points at 22-14 with 7:30 left in the first.
• With the Trojans leading 24-17, the Blue Hawks went on another 8-0 scoring run to regain their lead.  Josiah Haaland made a basket as DiSU grabbed a 25-24 lead with thirty-five seconds left before intermission.
• Ethan Slaathaug closed out the first half with a basket inside the paint as the Trojans earned a 26-25 lead.
• Both teams struggled from the field in the first twenty minutes of the game.  DaSU was 34.4 percent from the field (11-of-32 field goals) and held DiSU to 28.6 percent (10-of-35 field goals).
• Jordan Lynn made a basket with 15:29 remaining to extend the Trojans' lead to 33-29.
• Dickinson State went on a 13-4 outburst, capped by Knox's 3-pointer to earn a 42-37 lead.  Knox scored 11 points during scoring run.
• Knox drained another 3-pointer to give the Blue Hawks a 48-43 lead with seven to go before the Trojans rallied back.
• Dakota State used an 8-2 scoring run to regain their lead at 51-50 with 4:38 left after a free-throw by Latting.  Latting added a basket to extend DaSU's lead to 55-52 with 3:25 remaining.
• The Blue Hawks answered with five straight points to earn a 57-55 lead with less than a minute to go in the game.
• Gittens made a basket (assisted by Lynn) as the Trojans knotted the game at 57-57 with 42.2 seconds left.
• The Trojans committed a foul on the next possession, sending Blue Hawk Knox to the free-throw line.  Knox missed both free-throws and was rebounded by Trojan Lynn with 9.8 seconds remaining.
• DaSU was unable to close out the game with the final shot, as the game was sent into overtime.
• Dickinson State outscored Dakota State 32-31 in the second half.
• After trading lead to open the extra period (DaSU trailed 60-58), the Trojans went on a 6-0 scoring run sparked by a 3-pointer from Chris Morales followed by three straight points by Maxwell Nielson for a 64-60 lead with less than two minutes remaining.
• Jalon Tinnin made a basket with 10.3 seconds left as the Blue Hawks trimmed the Trojans' lead to 66-66. 
• The Blue Hawks committed a foul on the ensuing possession, sending Gittens to the free-throw line.  He made the first free-throw to extend DaSU's lead to 68-66.
• Dickinson State committed a turnover on the next possession with .8 seconds remaining, securing the victory for Dakota State.
• The Trojans outscored the Blue Hawks 11-9 in the final five minutes.
• Wood produced a double-double of 15 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for the Trojans.  He was 7-of-13 from the field.  Latting added a double-double of 14 points and collected 13 rebounds.  Gittens tallied 12 points and five rebounds off the bench.
• Lynn scored nine points and recorded seven rebounds for DaSU.  He dished out three assists and stole the ball three times.  Nielson had eight points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals.  Morales registered six points, five rebounds, and three assists.
• Knox led the Blue Hawks with 22 points and earned seven rebounds.  He contributed five assists.  Tinnin added 12 points and nine rebounds.  John Evans had 11 points. 
• Haaland posted a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for DiSU.  Travon Hamilton dished out five assists.
• Dickinson State was 40.3 percent overall from the field (27-of-67 field goals) compared to Dakota State 37.1 percent (26-of-70 field goals).  The Blue Hawks were 5-of-17 from the 3-point line, while the Trojans were 4-of-16 3-pointers.
• Both teams struggled at the free-throw line, with DaSU hitting 12-of-23 free-throws and DiSU converting 7-of-19 free-throws.
• Dakota State outrebounded Dickinson State 57-43 in the game. 

Game Day Sponsor: Madison Physical Therapy

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information DIrector