January 13, 2024

DICKINSON, N.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) held Dickinson State to 30.3 percent second-half field goal percentage, earning a defensive battle victory by the score of 59-53 in the North Star Athletic Association men's basketball contest at Scott Gymnasium.  It was the second straight league victory for the Trojans.

Dakota State raised their overall record to 12-7 and 2-1 record in the North Star contests.  Dickinson State fell to 10-7 overall record and 1-1 NSAA conference record.

The Trojans snapped their three-game losing streak in the series meeting with the Blue Hawks.  The Trojans also earned their first win on Dickinson State's home court since Feb. 12, 2021.

Dakota State returns home to begin their three-game North Star conference home stand.  The Trojans host Viterbo (Wis.) Friday evening with a 7:30 p.m. tip-off at DSU Fieldhouse.

Dakota State (S.D.) 59, Dickinson State (N.D.) 53 – FINAL

Dakota State kicked off the game with a 5-0 scoring run, sparked by an opening 3-pointer from Japjit Gill (assisted by Mison Coilton) followed by basket by Coilton with nineteen minutes and twenty seconds on the clock.

The Trojans held the Blue Hawks scoreless for the first three-and-half minutes of the game.  Trey Stevens broke DiSU's scoring drought after draining a 3-pointer with 16:21 on the clock in the first half (Dakota State led 5-3).

DSU stretched their lead to 12-7 after Kenny Hayes' basket with 13:09 to go before halftime.

The Blue Hawks went on a 16-2 scoring run to grab the biggest lead of the game at 23-14 after a 3-pointer from John Evans with less than six minutes to go in the first.

The Trojans held DiSU to two points for the rest of the first half, sparking a 10-2 scoring run to trim the Blue Hawks' lead down to one point.  Taylor Edwards closed the first half with a free-throw with less than minute to go as DSU trailed 25-24.

Dakota State shot 32.3 percent from the field in the first twenty minutes (10-of-31 field goals).  Dickinson State also struggled from the field, hitting 34.5 percent (10-of-29 field goals). 

Uzo Dibiamaka opened the second half with a 3-pointer (assisted by Gill) as the Trojans regained their lead at 27-25 with 19:01 remaining.

DSU ballooned their lead to 38-30 after Uhana Ochan's layup (assisted by Josh Lewis) with 15:04 left. 

Jake Daniel hit a 3-pointer to cap DiSU's 10-2 scoring run, tying the game at 40-40.  The Trojans were forced to call a timeout with 9:56 to go in the game.

Brayden Pankonen completed a 4-point play, hitting a 3-pointer followed by a free-throw as Dakota State grabbed a 50-44 lead with 6:54 remaining.  Evans answered with a basket on the next possession as the Blue Hawks trailed 50-46 with 6:39 to go.

Dakota State kept Dickinson State scoreless for a span of five-plus minutes, setting a 5-0 scoring run.  Dibiamaka made a driving layup to put the Trojans up 55-46 with 1:15 left.

The Blue Hawks snapped their scoring drought with a pair of free-throws by Jaiden Wright.  DSU maintained a 55-48 lead with 1:07 remaining.

Dickinson State could get no closer than five points at 55-50 after Stevens' basket with less than 45 seconds to go.

Pankonen and Coilton each hit a pair of free-throws to extend DSU's lead to 59-50, securing the victory.  DC Steward hit a 3-pointer on the last possession as the Blue Hawks cut the Trojans' lead to 59-53 with less than ten seconds in the game.

Dakota State outscored Dickinson State 35-28 in the final twenty minutes of the game, thanks to 54.6 percent field goal shooting (12-of-22 field goals) and 8-of-13 free-throws.  The Blue Hawks were held to 30.3 percent (10-of-33 field goals) and 4-of-18 from the 3-point line.

Pankonen led the Trojans with 11 points and five rebounds.  He was 3-of-3 from the field, including 2-of-2 from the 3-point line, and converted 3-of-5 free-throws.  Coilton added 10 points and pulled down nine rebounds.  Emmanuel Akpan tallied nine points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.

Dibiamaka had eight points for Dakota State.  Haynes scored six points.  Ochan had four points and four rebounds.  Gill, Calvin Payne, and Edwards each had three points.  Gill and Lewis each contributed three assists.  Lewis stole the ball twice.

Evans paced the Blue Hawks with 12 points.  Daniel added 11 points and six rebounds.  Stevens had nine points and three bounds. 

Wright had eight points and two assists for Dickinson State.  Cordell Stinson pulled down seven rebounds. 

Dakota State shot 41.5 percent (22-of-53 field goals) overall and held Dickinson State to 32.3 percent (20-of-62 field goals).  The Trojans hit 6-of-16 from the 3-point line, while the Blue Hawks were 9-of-31 3-pointers (29 percent). 

DSU converted 9-of-15 free-throws.  DiSU was 4-of-8 from the free-throw line.

Dakota State won the rebounding battle, outrebounding Dickinson State 45-33. 

The Trojans outscored the Blue Hawks 26-12 inside the paint.