FREMONT, Neb. — Aric Winczewski stole the ball and scored the go-ahead layup with 10 seconds remaining Friday night, lifting Dickinson State to a dramatic 80-79 victory over Midland University at the Wikert Event Center for its first win of the season.
The Blue Hawks (1-2) led by as many as 10 points and carried an eight-point advantage into halftime before Midland (2-1) rallied in the second half. Dickinson State answered with an 8-2 run over the final 1:46, capped by Winczewski's decisive defensive play and basket.
The redshirt freshman from Minot, N.D., finished with a season-high 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, adding three assists and a steal. He scored six of Dickinson State's final eight points, including the game's final four, to complete the comeback.
"Unbelievable road win by our guys. We are young, inexperienced, but we battle," Dickinson State head coach Derek Selvig said. "I'm super proud of this group. It's a lot of fun to get the win and learn lessons at the same time."
Dickinson State established its offensive rhythm early, shooting 53.3% from the field in the opening half. The Blue Hawks connected on six 3-pointers before the break, with Boston Cranston scoring eight points and DC Stewart adding eight off the bench.
Michael Nance contributed seven first-half points on perfect 2-of-2 shooting from beyond the arc, while Winczewski added five points and three assists. The Blue Hawks took a 41-33 lead into the locker room after holding Midland to 37% shooting in the opening 20 minutes.
Dickinson State stretched its advantage to 10 early in the second half, but Midland responded behind Jeff Rozelle III and Trey McCain. The Warriors scored 46 points after halftime and gradually erased the Blue Hawks' advantage as the game moved into its final minutes.
Tristan Fortin helped Dickinson State stay within striking distance, scoring 10 of his season-high 13 points in the second half. The redshirt freshman connected on 3-of-4 attempts from beyond the arc, including a 3-pointer that tied the game at 68 with 4:58 remaining.
Midland eventually moved ahead 77-72 on Rozelle's 3-pointer with 1:46 left, giving the Warriors their largest lead of the night.
Winczewski immediately responded with a layup at the 1:28 mark, and Stewart followed by making two free throws with 1:01 remaining to pull Dickinson State within 77-76.
After Midland extended its lead to 79-76 on free throws, the Blue Hawks turned to Winczewski again.
He drove for a layup with 14 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to one. Just two seconds later, he helped force a turnover by Midland's Butch Lordeus, collected the steal and converted another layup while absorbing contact with 10 seconds on the clock to give Dickinson State an 80-79 lead.
Midland had one final opportunity, but Rozelle's potential game-winning 3-pointer missed with three seconds remaining, allowing the Blue Hawks to secure the one-point victory.
The win highlighted Dickinson State's most efficient offensive performance of the young season. The Blue Hawks shot 53.7% from the field, making 29-of-54 attempts, and connected on 8-of-22 shots from 3-point range. Both percentages represented season highs, while the team's 80 points marked its highest offensive output through three games.
Five Blue Hawks scored in double figures, led by Adesoye Onaleye's 14 points. The junior guard also handed out a season-high five assists, grabbed four rebounds and made six free throws.
Fortin followed with 13 points, while Winczewski, Stewart and Boston Cranston each finished with 12.
Stewart added seven rebounds and made all three of his free-throw attempts, including two crucial makes in the final minute. Cranston contributed two 3-pointers and two steals, while Detavius Frierson added eight points and seven rebounds. Nance finished with seven points, connecting on two of his three attempts from beyond the arc.
Dickinson State received 26 points from its bench, compared with nine for Midland, and held a 34-30 advantage in points in the paint. The Blue Hawks also made 14-of-17 free throws and committed a season-low 14 turnovers.
Midland finished 24-of-59 from the field and held a 37-30 rebounding advantage. The Warriors made 23 free throws compared with 14 for Dickinson State, helping them overcome the Blue Hawks' shooting advantage.
Rozelle led Midland with 20 points and 13 rebounds, including 13 points in the second half. McCain added 19 points and three assists, while Mason Strong and Anthony Simon each scored 12.
Friday's victory extended Dickinson State's winning streak over Midland to three games in the programs' recorded series. The Blue Hawks previously defeated the Warriors 86-72 in Scott Gymnasium on Dec. 19, 2024, and 75-72 in Fremont on Oct. 31, 2025.
Dickinson State returns to action Friday, Nov. 6, against Eastern Oregon University in New Town, N.D. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. Mountain. The Blue Hawks will conclude the two-game trip Saturday, Nov. 7, against California Prestige University at 10:45 a.m. Mountain.
