DICKINSON, N.D. – The Dickinson State men's basketball team improved their conference record to 1-1 after a 70-62 home win against the Bruins of Bellevue University on Friday night. With the win, the Blue Hawks improve to 4-12, while the Bruins fall to 9-8 overall and 1-1 in NSAA action.
How it Happened –
The start of the first half did not go as planned for the Blue Hawks as they found themselves into a ten-point deficit after the first nine minutes of action. However, Josiah Haaland (SO/Rathdrum, ID) started the comeback after a bucket from range to cut the lead down to seven. Bellevue answered with a jumper to push the lead back up to nine before the Hawks went on a 23-12 run, powered by ten points by Jalon Tinnin (SR/Lancaster, CA), to give DSU the two-point lead, 34-32, at the half.
The Bruins powered their way to a nine-point lead after they stormed in the opening eight minutes with a 24-13 run. But that did not stop the Blue Hawks in their comeback. Over the next two minutes, Tinnin continued to have a big night as he poured in six unanswered points to cut the Bellevue lead down to three. Teammate Ajdin Toskic (SR/Irvine, CA) knocked down a jumper on the next possession before a Cobe Begger (SO/Wibaux, MT) close-range shot to give the Blue Hawks the one-point lead. Teammate Travon Hamilton (SR/North Charleston, SC) followed with back-to-back unanswered buckets to extend the Blue Hawk lead to five (61-56). However, with 4:22 left in the game, Bellevue's Vinny Belcaster would knock down four free-throws in the next two Bruin possessions to cut the DSU lead down to two - but the Blue Hawk defense stayed disciplined and held the Bruin offense to two-points in the final three minutes to secure the 70-62 win.
From the Box Score –
Jalon Tinnin led the Blue Hawk offense with 16 points and a team-high five boards. Travon Hamilton added 12 points, while Bryce Knox (SR/Los Angeles, CA) rounded out the double-figure scoring with 11. Ajdin Toskic dished out a team-high four assists, while Knox stole the rock three times.
As a team, the Blue Hawks shot 40.0 from the floor, 23.5 from range, and 64.3 from the line. DSU added 27 boards, four blocks, ten steals, 12 assists, and forced 24 Bruin turnovers – the most the Bruins have allowed all season.
From the Coach –
"I'm very proud of the effort from our team tonight," stated DSU's head men's basketball coach Derek Selvig. "We had contributions from a lot of guys. We bought into the defensive end and that was the difference in the game. Our guys are starting to click and it's a very fun thing to be a part of."
