November 22, 2024

BELLEVUE, Neb. – Dakota State (S.D.) shot a blazing 56.6 percent from the field, including hitting 13 3-pointers Friday evening with their 92-63 victory over Nobel (Calif.) on the first day of the Fairfield Inn by Marriott Bruin Classic at Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.  The two-day tournament is being hosted by North Star Athletic Association's fellow Bellevue (Neb.).

It was the first all-time meeting between DSU and NC.  Dakota State snapped their two-game losing streak and improved to 5-3 overall record.  The Knights remained winless in five games (0-5 overall record).

The Trojans wrap up their preseason tournament as they face Ozark Christian (Mo.) Saturday afternoon.  The tip-off is set for 12 p.m. at Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.

Dakota State (S.D.) 92, Nobel (Calif.) 63 – FINAL

Colby Dillenbeck hit off the game with a layup (assisted by Taine Mitchell) for DSU's 2-0 lead with nineteen minutes, forty-one seconds on the clock. 

After NC's Maskin Aliakseyeu tied the game at 2-2 with a pair of free throws, Lane Tietz sparked the Trojans' 12-0 outburst with three consecutive 3-points possessions and capped with a 3-pointer by Brayden Pankonen to take a 14-2 lead with less than sixteen minutes left in the first half.

Dakota State maintained their double-digit lead for the rest of the game, leading as many as 21 points in the first half.  Pankonen drained a 3-pointer as the Trojans earned a 49-28 halftime lead.

DSU shot 17-of-31 from the field (54.8 percent) and hit 8-of-18 3-pointers in the first twenty minutes.  NC was held to 33.3 percent from the field (12-of-36 field goals) and did not make a 3-pointer in six tries.

Ten different players scored in the final twenty minutes as Dakota State outscored Nobel 43-35.  The Trojans shot 59.3 percent from the field (16-of-27 field goals) and 5-of-9 from the 3-point line.  The Knights shot 50 percent (14-of-28 field goals) and made one 3-pointer in the second half.

Tietz poured in 25 points off the bench for Dakota State.  He was 8-of-10 from the field, including 6-of-8 3-pointers.  Pankonen added 18 points on his 6-of-8 field goals and 5-of-7 from the 3-point line.  He grabbed five rebounds and dished out four assists.

Rysley Borman scored 12 points off the bench, collected five rebounds, and contributed four assists for the Trojans.  Aiden Jensen, Tyler Beckwith, and Ethan Slaathaug each had six points.  Mitchell had five points.  Issac Sumption, Spencer Hutchinson, and Lukas Morgan each scored four points.

Mitchell had four rebounds and three assists for DSU.  Jensen recorded three assists. 

Aliakseyeu led the Knights with 14 points, five rebounds, and two steals.  Anthony McManus added 12 points, five assists, and three steals.  Seven Ferguson scored 12 points and collected seven rebounds. 

Dakota State was 33-of-58 from the field and 13-of-27 from the 3-point line (48.1 percent) in the game.  Nobel shot 40.6 percent (26-of-64 field goals), and only made one 3-pionter in nine tries.  The Trojans hit 13-of-19 free-throws compared to the Knights 10-of-12 free-throws.

DSU outrebounded NC 42-27 in the game.  The Trojans outscored the Knights 63-18 in bench points.