Site: Madison, S.D. (DSU Fieldhouse)
Score: Dakota State 61, Bellevue 59
Records: Dakota State: 9-2; Bellevue: 7-6
Next BU event: Wed., Jan. 2 - at Oklahoma Wesleyan, 7 p.m.
MADISON, S.D. -- The Bellevue University men's basketball team fought back from a 19-point first-half deficit, but fell just short as Dakota State University pulled out a 61-59 victory in non-conference action Friday night at the DSU Fieldhouse.
Bellevue fell to 7-6 on the season with the loss. Dakota State improved to 9-2 overall.
Darius Robinson led the Bruins with 15 points, including three 3-pointers. Jamil Goodwin added 12 points and five rebounds. Everett Robinson was the third Bruin in double figures, finishing with 10 points, to go along with three boards and two assists.
John Lamb led three Trojans in double figures with 14 points.
The Trojans raced out to a 22-6 lead in the first eight minutes of the game and led by as many as 19 before heading into halftime with a 40-25 advantage as the Bruins shot just 30 percent from the field and committed 14 turnovers. DSU nailed 60 percent of its shots in the opening period, led by Lamb's eight points.
The Robinsons each collected eight points to pace the BU offense in the first half.
BU used a 9-1 run to open the second period, cutting the deficit to 41-34 with 16 minutes remaining.
A 3-pointer by Dominique Grant brought the Bruins to within three points at 52-49 at the eight-minute mark.
A pair of free throws by Goodwin capped a five-point BU run as the Bruins knotted the contest at 54-54 at 6:34.
After the Trojans gained a three-point advantage, Darius Robinson tied the game on a 3-pointer with 1:04 left in the game.
Tyrone Gordon, Jr. gave DSU a 61-59 lead on a field goal with 26 seconds remaining. Darius Robinson was fouled just before time expired, but missed both free throws as the Trojans escaped with the two-point victory.
The Bruins will be idle until Wednesday, Jan. 2, when they travel to Bartlesville, Okla. for a 7 p.m. MCAC contest at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
Scoring Summary
Bellevue..........25 34 -- 59
Dakota State...40 21 -- 61
BU: D. Robinson, 15; Goodwin, 12; E. Robinson, 10; Tarver, 8; Grant, 7; Henley, 4; Zamudio, 3
DS: J. Lamb, 14; Krump, 13; Yusuf, 10; L. Lamb, 9; Gordon, 7; Smith, 4; Newton, 4
