February 10, 2023

DICKINSON, N.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) could not take advantage of their blazing 55.6 field goal percentage Friday evening, falling short to Dickinson State (N.D.) 84-78 in a closely-tight North Star Athletic Association men's basketball contest at Scott Gymnasium.  The Blue Hawks completed the NSAA's season series sweep of the Trojans.

Dakota State dropped their overall record to 11-15 and 5-7 record in the league.  Dickinson State improved to 11-14 overall record and moved in a three-way tie for third place in the North Star standings with a 7-5 record each (Valley City State, N.D., and Bellevue, Neb.). 

The Trojans conclude their road regular-season schedule Saturday evening, traveling to W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse to take on Valley City State (N.D.).  The game is set for 5 p.m. in Valley City, N.D.  Dickinson State stays home on the same day as they host Bellevue (Neb.) at 6 p.m. (Central Time)/5 p.m. (Mountain Time).

Dickinson State (N.D.) 84, Dakota State (S.D.) 78 – FINAL

• Dakota State and Dickinson State traded leads in the first five-plus minutes of the game.  Sam Muller and Gavyn Strand hit back-to-back baskets to give DSU an 11-8 lead.
• John Evans sparked the Blue Hawks' 8-0 scoring run, capped by a 3-pointer for a 16-11 lead with less than 13 minutes to go in the first half.
• After Strand's basket to cut DiSU's lead to 21-20, the Blue Hawks went on a 6-0 scoring run highlighted by a 3-point play by Jake Daniel for 27-20 Dickinson State lead with 7:38 to go in the first.
• The Trojans answered with a 7-0 scoring run, capped by a 3-pointer by Muller to tie the game at 27-27 with 5:58 left before halftime.
• Muller closed the first half with a field goal as the Trojans knotted the game at 39-39.
• Dakota State shot a blazing 60.7 percent in the first twenty minutes of the game (17-of-28 field goals)  compared to Dickinson State 48.3 percent (14-of-29 field goals).
• Jaiden Wright ignited the second half with back-to-back 3-pointers as the Blue Hawks jumped to a 45-39 lead with 18 minutes left in the game.
• The Trojans trimmed DiSU's lead to 53-50 after a basket by Muller with 14 minutes to go.
• Evans made a basket as Dickinson State's lead grew to 58-50 with 12:54 remaining.
• Dakota State then went on a 7-0 scoring run, capped by Ethan Damerum's basket with 9:48 on the clock, trailing 58-57.
• The Blue Hawks would stretch their lead to 64-57 with 7:41 remaining after Josiah Haaland's basket.
• Evans drained a 3-pointer (assisted by Wright) as Dickinson State opened a 73-65 lead, forcing the Trojans to call a timeout with 4:04 left.
• Trailing 78-69, Dakota State went on a 9-3 scoring run to cut Dickinson State's lead down to three points.  Muller fueled the scoring run with a 3-pointer followed by another 3-pointer by Chris Morales and capped by Muller's 3-point play as DSU trailed 81-78 with less than 15 seconds to play.
• Dakota State was unable to convert their scoring opportunities in closing seconds as the Blue Hawks secured the victory after Trey Hladky hit three free-throws in the final 13 seconds of the game.
• DiSU outscored the Trojans 45-39 in the final twenty minutes.
• Muller tallied a career-high 29 points on his 12-of-17 field goals for Dakota State.  Deshawn Kelly added 13 points and grabbed four rebounds.  Damerum scored eight points and pulled down 10 rebounds off the bench.
• Morales scored 10 points for the Trojans.  Strand added seven points.  Ben Hoverson tallied nine points and registered two blocks.
• Four players hit double-digits for the Blue Hawks, led by Evans with 18 points.  He had six rebounds.  J. Wright added 17 points and four assists.  Gus Wright had 10 points and four rebounds.  Haaland was perfect 7-of-7 from the field for 14 points. 
• Tyce Dahlberg had seven points and five rebounds for DiSU.  Christian Murphy added six rebounds. 
• Dakota State shot 30-of-54 from the field compared to Dickinson State 27-of-60 field goals (45 percent).  The Trojans were 6-of-14 3-pointers, while the Blue Hawks were 9-of-24 from the 3-point arc.
• DiSU hit 21-of-29 free-throws.  DSU was 12-of-15 from the free-throw line.
• The Blue Hawks outrebounded the Trojans 36-29 in the game. 

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director