Sagan Osborne – Dickinson State Sports & Marketing Information Director
Dickinson, N.D. - Dickinson State overcame a sluggish start and a 15-0 opening run by Dakota State to earn a thrilling 72-69 victory in a North Star Athletic Association men's basketball matchup on Friday night in Scott Gymnasium. The Blue Hawks rallied behind strong second-half performances and clutch defensive stops to improve to 9-7 overall and 4-0 in conference play.
The game began with Dakota State (7-9, 0-4 NSAA) seizing early momentum, jumping to a 15-0 lead in the first five minutes. Dickinson State struggled with turnovers and missed shots, forcing head coach Derek Selvig to call an early timeout to regroup. "I was disappointed with our focus to start the game, but proud of our guys banding together and rallying back," Selvig said.
The Blue Hawks found their footing midway through the first half, sparked by a three-pointer from Trey Stevens and strong inside play by Cordell Stinson. Dickinson State cut the deficit to 39-35 by halftime, with John Evans scoring 11 first-half points to keep the game within reach. Dakota State was led by Brayden Pankonen, who tallied 12 points in the opening period, including two three-pointers.
In the second half, Dickinson State's defensive pressure and balanced scoring turned the tide. The Blue Hawks outscored Dakota State 37-30 in the final 20 minutes, forcing 19 turnovers in the game and converting them into 25 points. Stinson led the way with a dominant performance in the paint, scoring 22 points on 9-for-13 shooting and grabbing eight rebounds.
Evans continued to provide a spark, finishing with 17 points, including several key baskets in the second half. Stevens contributed six points and three steals, while Kose Egbule's hustle and rebounding were crucial during the comeback.
Dakota State kept the game close, with Pankonen leading all scorers with 20 points and Lane Tietz adding 11, including a late three-pointer that cut Dickinson State's lead to 72-69 in the final minute. However, the Blue Hawks sealed the victory with a critical basket by Stinson with 33 seconds left and strong defense to prevent the Trojans from tying the game in the closing seconds.
Selvig praised his team's resilience and highlighted the challenges posed by their opponent. "Dakota State is a young team but very well-coached, and we knew that going in," he said. "That was a great quality win by our guys. Tomorrow will be just as physical, and we need to be ready to go from the tip."
Overall, Dickinson State shot 40% from the field and 36.7% from three-point range while holding Dakota State to 36.4% from beyond the arc. The Blue Hawks also benefited from their depth, with 22 bench points compared to 20 for the Trojans.