NEW TOWN, N.D. — Dickinson State delivered its highest-scoring performance of the young season Saturday, knocking down 10 3-pointers and receiving 47 points from its bench in an 89-65 victory over California Prestige University at the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge Classic inside the 4 Bears Event Center.
The Blue Hawks (2-3) shot 50% from both the field and 3-point range, building a 20-point halftime advantage before answering a California Prestige second-half rally with a decisive 10-0 run. The victory gave Dickinson State a 1-1 weekend at the tournament and its second win in three games.
Junior Adesoye Onaleye led the Blue Hawks with 17 points and six rebounds, while DC Stewart added 12 points and two blocks. Aric Winczewski contributed 10 points and five rebounds as Dickinson State had 14 players enter the scoring column.
Dickinson State established control early behind an efficient offensive attack, connecting on eight first-half 3-pointers while shooting 51.4% from the field. Boston Cranston opened the scoring with a 3-pointer, and contributions from Stewart and Detavius Frierson helped the Blue Hawks build a 24-11 advantage midway through the half.
The Blue Hawks continued to create separation as Onaleye, Michael Nance and Noah Hippen combined for eight unanswered points to extend the lead to 39-16 with just over five minutes remaining. California Prestige trimmed the deficit late in the half, but Dickinson State answered with 3-pointers from Tristan Fortin and Reggie Rice to take a 49-29 advantage into the break.
California Prestige (1-1) responded early in the second half, scoring 11 consecutive points to cut Dickinson State's lead to 51-42 with 15:24 remaining. James Clay and Jaden Burgess combined for all 11 points during the stretch, bringing the Golden Eagles within single digits for the first time since the opening half.
Dickinson State quickly regained control, holding California Prestige scoreless for more than four minutes while putting together a 10-0 run of its own. Winczewski connected from beyond the arc, Onaleye converted a three-point play and Hippen added two free throws as the Blue Hawks restored a 19-point advantage at 61-42.
The Blue Hawks maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way, eventually stretching their advantage to a game-high 26 points before securing the 24-point victory.
Onaleye finished 7-of-12 from the field and made all three of his free throws. Stewart shot 4-of-7, while Winczewski connected on two 3-pointers and went 4-of-4 at the free-throw line.
Fortin provided another efficient performance off the bench, scoring eight points on perfect 3-of-3 shooting, including two 3-pointers. Boston Cranston and Hippen each added seven points, while Rice connected on two 3-pointers for six points.
Frierson led Dickinson State with seven rebounds and added five points and two assists.
The Blue Hawks' balanced scoring produced several season highs, including 89 points, 10 made 3-pointers and 47 bench points. Dickinson State's reserves outscored California Prestige's bench 47-9, while the Blue Hawks also held a 36-25 rebounding advantage and collected 17 second-chance points.
Dickinson State finished 29-of-58 from the field and 10-of-20 from beyond the arc. The Blue Hawks also made a season-high 21 free throws and recorded five blocked shots.
Clay led California Prestige with 19 points, while Burgess added 15 and Kelvonte Ellis finished with 14.
"It was a good bounce-back win for our guys," Dickinson State head coach Derek Selvig said. "Everyone contributed and played hard this weekend. I'm very proud of our group."
Dickinson State returns to action Friday, Nov. 20, when it opens Frontier Conference play at Bismarck State College. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Mountain in Bismarck, N.D.
