January 10, 2025

DICKINSON, N.D. – North Star Athletic Association men's basketball leader Dickinson State (N.D.) held off Dakota State (S.D.) in closing seconds Friday evening, hanging on for a 72-69 victory at Scott Gymnasium.  After taking a four-point halftime lead, the Trojans were outscored by the Blue Hawks 37-30 in the final twenty minutes of the game.

Dakota State dropped their fifth straight setback, falling to 7-9 overall record and 0-4 record in the league.  Dickinson State improved to 9-7 overall record and remained undefeated in the North Star with a 4-0 record.  Both teams will play their second NSAA conference meeting on Jan. 26 in Madison, S.D.

DSU looks to end their losing skid as they visit Jamestown (N.D.) to conclude the first-round robin of North Star conference play.  The game is set for 5 p.m. at Harold Newman Arena in Jamestown, N.D.

Dickinson State (N.D.) 72, Dakota State (S.D.) 69 – FINAL

Dakota State erupted for 15 straight points to start the game, thanks to their 5-of-6 field goals in the first four-plus minutes of the game.  Lane Tietz capped the scoring run with a 3-pointer as the Trojans posted the biggest lead of the game at 15-0 with 15:58 on the clock.

With DSU leading 31-21 after Brayden Pankonen's basket, the Blue Hawks answered with a 14-2 scoring outburst to grab the first lead of the game.  Trey Stevens drained a 3-pointer as DiSU grabbed a 35-33 lead with 2:38 to go in the first half.

The Trojans then closed the first half with a 6-0 run, with four points from Tietz and two points from Aiden Jensen.  Tietz made a basket to give Dakota State a 39-35 halftime lead.

DSU was 15-of-33 from the field (45.5 percent) in the first twenty minutes of the game, including 5-of-11 3-pointers.  DiSU was 36.4 percent from the field in the first half (12-of-33 field goals) and 5-of-12 3-pointers.

The Trojans maintained their lead in the early second half, leading as many as six points at 41-35 after a basket by Colby Dillenbeck. 

Dickinson State regained their lead to 44-43 after a 9-2 scoring run after Cordell Stinson's layup with 13:51 to go.

Both teams traded leads before the Blue Hawks stretched their lead.  With DSU leading 51-50, DiSU went on an 8-0 run capped by Stinson's basket for a 60-53 lead with 7:30 left in the game.

DSU's Isaac Sumption made a basket with less than six minutes to go in the game, trimming the Blue Hawks' lead to 60-59.  John Evans then scored the next five points to extend Dickinson State' lead to 65-59 with 4:48 to go.

Dakota State stormed back to trail at 70-69 after a 3-pointer from Tietz with less than a minute to go.

Stinson scored on the next possession as the Blue Hawks led 72-69.  The Trojans missed a potential game-tying 3 pointer and were rebounded by the Blue Hawks.  DSU committed a foul to send Stevens to the free throw line for a bonus opportunity with less than 15 seconds left.

DiSU's Stevens missed a free throw and was rebounded by DSU's Jensen.  The Trojans committed a turnover with less than five seconds left (stolen by Stevens), and then Jensen stole the ball and attempted a desperation half court shot at the buzzer, securing the victory for the Blue Hawks.

Dickinson State was 14-of-32 from the field (43.8 percent) in the second half, including 6-of-18 3-pointers.  Dakota State shot 44 percent (11-of-25 field goals) and 3-of-11 3-pointers in the final twenty minutes.

Pankonen led the Trojans with 20 points on his 7-of-12 field goals, 3-of-6 3-pointers, and made all three free throws.  He also had three rebounds and two steals.  Tietz added 11 points and two assists.  Dillenbeck had 10 points (5-of-6 field goals) and grabbed seven rebounds.

Taine Mitchell pulled down 10 rebounds and registered four points for Dakota State.  Tyler Beckwith had four points and three rebounds.  Rysley Borman scored five points.  Jensen tallied four points and six rebounds. 

Stinson poured 22 points and collected eight rebounds for the Blue Hawks.  Evans added 17 points and four rebounds.  Kose Egbule and Gus Wright each had eight points.  Eguble registered five rebounds and four assists.  Aidan Fishell contributed four assists.

Dakota State and Dickinson State were closely even in stats, with both teams making 26 field goals and nine free-throws.  The Blue Hawks made 11 3-pointers compared to the Trojans nine 3-pointers.  Both teams registered seven steals.

DSU shot 44.8 percent overall from the field (26-of-58 field goals) compared to DiSU 40 percent (26-of-65 field goals). 

The Trojans outrebounded the Blue Hawks 41-35.  DiSU outscored DaSU 25-7 in points off turnovers.