February 15, 2025

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) fell to Valley City State (N.D.) 78-68 in their North Star Athletic Association men's basketball regular season home finale Saturday evening at DSU Fieldhouse.  It was the Seniors Day for the Trojans as they honored their five seniors – Colby Dillenbeck, Taine Mitchell, Calvin Payne, Ethan Slaathaug, and Isaac Sumption.

The Trojans are 11-14 overall record and 4-9 record in the North Star Athletic Association.  Valley City State improved to 14-11 overall record and 5-9 record in the league.

VCSU earned the NSAA season series victory with a 2-1 record, with both teams winning on the road this season.

Dakota State wraps up their regular season schedule next weekend against a pair of top teams in the North Star Athletic Association.  The Trojans visit Jamestown (N.D.) Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. held at the Newman Arena in Jamestown, followed by another NSAA contest next Saturday at Dickinson State (N.D.) with a 6 p.m. (Central Time)/5 p.m. (Mountain Time) tip-off at Scott Gymnasium.

Valley City State (N.D.) 78, Dakota State (S.D.) 68 – FINAL

Dakota State kicked off the game by scoring the first five points of the game, thanks to a layup by Sumption followed by a 3-pointer from Brayden Pankonen with nineteen minutes and ten seconds on the clock.

The Vikings answered with a 7-2 run to tie the game at 7-7 after a 3-poitner from Sam Kobbervig with 16:28 to go in the first half.

Kobbervig added another 3-pointer as VCSU ballooned their lead to 16-9 with 13:40 on the clock in the first half.  Tyler Beckwith completed a 3-point play on the ensuing possession as the Trojans trailed 16-12 with 13:24 left before halftime.

The game was closely tight until DSU pulled within one point, trailing 27-26 after a layup from Rysley Borman (assisted by Calvin Payne) with less than five minutes to go in the first half.

Leading 32-31, Valley City State closed the first half with an 11-1 outburst capped by a 3-pointer from Shaheed Muhammad for a 43-32 halftime lead.

VCSU shot 53.6 percent from the field (15-of-28 field goals) and 5-of-9 from the 3-point line in the first half.  The Vikings also made all eight free throws.  DSU was 50 percent from the field (13-of-26 field goals) and 4-of-9 from the 3-point line.  The Trojans were 2-of-5 from the free throw line in the first half.

Valley City State maintained their double-digit lead until the Trojans trimmed their deficit into single digit after four free throws made – a pair from Lane Tietz and Mitchell.  DSU trailed 45-36 with 18:28 left in the game.

At 52-43, VCSU used a 11-2 scoring run to produce the biggest lead of the game at 63-45 after a 3-pointer from Odier Olange with less than nine minutes to go.

Pankonen answered with three straight 3-pointers as part of DSU's 9-3 scoring run, forcing the Vikings to call a timeout with 6:50 remaining (DSU trailed 66-54).

Dakota State's late comeback fell short as they could get no closer than seven points after Mitchell's layup with less than a minute to go (Trojans trailed 75-68).

DSU outscored VCSU 36-35 in the final twenty minutes of the game.  The Vikings shot 42.3 percent from the field (11-of-26 field goals) and 4-of-11 3-pointers.  The Trojans were 30.3 percent from the field (10-of-33 field goals) and 3-of-19 3-pointers.

Pankonen scored 17 points and stole the ball two times for Dakota State.  Aiden Jensen tallied 16 points on his 6-of-9 field goals and grabbed five rebounds off the bench.  Tietz scored 10 points, collected five rebounds, and contributed four assists. 

Dillenbeck had six points and four rebounds for the Trojans.  Mitchell and Beckwith each scored five points.  Mitchell had 10 rebounds (9 defensive).  Payne and Lukas Morgan each dished out three assists.

Kobbervig led the Vikings with 19 points on his 7-of-8 field goals, including 4-of-5 from the 3-point line.  Tyrel Creger added 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists.  Muhammad had 14 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.  Jayden Patcha had nine points and eight rebounds.  Caen Grinde scored seven points and collected four rebounds.

Dakota State shot 39 percent overall from the field (23-of-59 field goals) compared to Valley City State 48.1 percent (26-of-54 field goals).  The Vikings were 9-of-20 from the 3-point line, while the Trojans were 7-of-28 3-pointers.

VCSU converted 17-of-23 free throws to DSU 15-of-21 free throws.

The Trojans had a slim rebounding edge over the Vikings (35-34).