DICKINSON, N.D. -- The (RV) Bellevue University men's basketball team suffered a 72-67 double overtime setback at the hands of host Dickinson State University on Friday evening in a North Star Athletic Association contest at Scott Gymnasium.
Records:
(RV) Bellevue: 16-12 (10-2 NSAA)
Dickinson State: 11-12 (7-5 NSAA)
Recap: Dickinson State 72, (RV) Bellevue 67 -- 2-OT
In a back-and-forth affair that featured 19 ties and 18 lead changes, Dickinson State outlasted Bellevue to secure a five-point victory.
Justin Bessard paced the Bruins with 28 points on 12-of-24 shooting and Jaron Dickson added his first double-double, finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Melvin Collins led the Blue Hawks with 24 points while Michael Vandall added 16 to go along with seven boards and Kenny Jackson chipped in 14 points.
The Blue Hawks took a 24-21 lead into halftime despite being out-shot 42.9-41.7 percent from the floor.
Dickinson State out-shot Bellevue the rest of the way by a margin of 43.2-34.8 percent.
Late in regulation, Dickson gave Bellevue a 52-49 lead on an open look from three with 52.4 seconds left.
At the other end of the floor, Jackson hit one of two free throws and Vandall drew a foul on the rebound. Vandall sank both of his free tosses to tie the game with 18.4 seconds left.
BU called timeout to set up a play with 12.1 second showing but could only muster an awkward looking three-point attempt that hit off the iron at the buzzer.
Dickinson State scored first in the first overtime period but Bellevue answered each basket made by the Blue Hawks. Again Bellevue got the final shot but Sequan Walker's half court heave came up short.
Bellevue opened the scoring in the second overtime period and led 64-62 before Bessard sank a trey from the top of the key. Jackson answered Bessard's shot with an elbow three at the other end to put the Blue Hawks up for good, 67-65 with 1:46 to play.
Dickinson State did enough from there, sinking five of their six free throw attempts in the final 1:10 to seal the victory.
Bellevue shot a season-low 37.3 percent from the floor and went just 6-of-22 (27.3 percent) from three as they saw their season-best nine-game win streak halted.
For the Bruins, the game marked their first double overtime contest since BU knocked off Oklahoma Wesleyan 92-91 on Jan. 30, 2015.
Up Next:
Bellevue travels to Aberdeen, S.D. tomorrow for a 7 p.m. tip against (RV) Presentation College (18-8 | 10-2 NSAA) where the winner will assure themselves of at least a share of the NSAA regular season title.
