DICKINSON, N.D. – The Dickinson State men's basketball team dropped a heartbreaker against (RV) Montana Technological University and fell 84-79 in overtime earlier this evening. With the loss, the Blue Hawks fall to 0-9 overall, while the Battlin' Bears improve to 10-3 on the year.
How It Happened –
At the end of the first half, Montana Tech took the slight one-point advantage heading into the locker room, 21-20. TMU's Derrius Collins opened the second half with a shot from range to push the Oredigger to lead to four. After back-to-back three-pointers by both teams, DSU scored five straight points to give them the one-point lead, 28-27. However, MTU's Caleb Bellach got hot over the next three minutes as he added seven points for the Orediggers to push the lead back to MTU's side.
With 5:46 left in the game, DSU's Bryce Knox's jumper and Aushanti Potts-Woods two made free-throws made things even at 43-43. Both teams traded buckets over the next three minutes to even things out once again with 46 seconds left of the game. However, DSU's Potts-Woods came up huge as he drained a bucket from range to put the Blue Hawks up by three with 26 seconds left. On the next possession, MTU's Sindou Diallo missed a bucket to tie the game but a big offensive rebound by Bridger Larson gave the Orediggers life once again. With 11 seconds remaining on the clock, MTU's Keely Bake was fouled while shooting a three-pointer which would send him to the line to shoot three free-throws. Bake drained all three shots to push the game into overtime.
Although the Orediggers got things started in the beginning of OT with a made free-throw, Dickinson State responded with a pair of free-throws by Potts-Woods and a jumper by Cobe Begger to take the three-point lead (60-57). However, the Orediggers would respond with a 12-3 run to give them the six-point lead with 12 seconds remaining. DSU's Trey Hladky knocked down one free-throw but it wasn't enough as MTU connected with two more points in the final seconds to come away with the 71-64 win.
From the Box Score –
Two Blue Hawks scored in double-figures in the OT loss with Potts-Woods leading the way with a season-high 22 points. Senior guard Bryce Knox followed with 17 of his own – including nine from range. From the glass, Cole Begger grabbed a team-high 13 boards, while teammate Jalon Tinnin added ten of his own.
As a team, the Blue Hawks shot 27.9 percent from the field, 21.9 from beyond the arc, and 70.4 from the foul line.
From the Coach –
"That game was all about toughness," stated DSU's men's basketball coach Derek Selvig. "Both teams defended really well. We are so close to getting over the hump and it's tough to lose that one the way we did…but the only thing we can focus on is how hard we play and tonight we played really hard. We have a great chance to come out and compete against Montana State Northern on Sunday."
Up Next –
The Blue Hawks are back in action on Sunday, Dec. 12 against Montana State University – Northern. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.
