Sagan Osborne – Dickinson State Sports and Marketing Information Director
Dickinson, N.D. – Dickinson State advanced to the North Star Athletic Association championship game with an 84-73 victory over Valley City State on Saturday afternoon in Dickinson, N.D. The Blue Hawks used a strong second half to pull away, securing a spot in Tuesday's title game against Jamestown at Scott Gymnasium.
Tied at 39 at halftime, Dickinson State outscored Valley City State 45-34 in the second half, shooting 55.6% from the field after the break. Kose Egbule led the Blue Hawks with a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 29 points while adding 10 rebounds. Egbule shot 9-of-15 from the field and made 8-of-11 free throws, providing an inside presence that Valley City State struggled to contain.
Trey Stevens played a key role in Dickinson State's perimeter attack, finishing with 14 points while knocking down all four of his three-point attempts. Cordell Stinson contributed 14 points and five rebounds, attacking the basket effectively throughout the game. Bradyn Palmer added 11 points, while John Evans chipped in nine points, five rebounds, and three assists.
The Blue Hawks shot 52.7% from the field and connected on 8-of-15 three-point attempts, finishing with a 53.3% mark from beyond the arc. They also controlled the glass, outrebounding Valley City State 37-30, and won the battle in the paint with 34 points inside.
Valley City State was led by Shaheed Muhammad, who scored 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including 6-of-11 from three-point range. Jayden Patcha added 16 points and seven rebounds, while Tyrel Creger and Odier Olange each finished with 12 points. The Vikings shot 40.6% from the field and struggled to find consistency from deep, making just 8-of-27 three-point attempts (29.6%).
The game remained close through the early minutes of the second half, with both teams trading baskets. Dickinson State built a slim lead behind Egbule's interior scoring and Stevens' perimeter shooting, but Valley City State stayed within striking distance behind Muhammad's outside shooting. The Vikings trailed 68-63 with just under seven minutes to play before the Blue Hawks made their decisive push.
A 10-2 run over the next three minutes extended Dickinson State's lead to 75-63, punctuated by a pair of free throws from Egbule with 4:24 remaining. The Blue Hawks continued to execute on both ends, with Stevens knocking down a three-pointer at the 3:15 mark to push the advantage to 78-66. From there, Dickinson State controlled the tempo and sealed the win at the free-throw line.
Turnovers were minimal, with Dickinson State committing just eight to Valley City State's seven. Both teams recorded 34 points in the paint, but the Blue Hawks' efficiency in the second half proved to be the difference. Dickinson State also capitalized on defensive stops, limiting the Vikings to 35.5% shooting in the final 20 minutes.
"We really appreciate the support of our fans. Their energy kept us afloat throughout that game," head coach Derek Selvig said. "I'm really proud of our guys for battling and finding a way. We will need all that Blue Hawk energy Tuesday night!"
With the win, Dickinson State advances to the NSAA championship game for a chance at the conference title. The Blue Hawks will host Jamestown on Tuesday night at Scott Gymnasium, with the winner earning an automatic bid to the NAIA national tournament.