BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Jemeil King led three Bruins in double figures with 21 points as the Bellevue University men's basketball team recorded a 61-55 victory over Dickinson State University Friday night in North Star Athletic Association action at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.
The Bruins, who won their fourth-straight game, improved to 10-9 on the season and 3-1 in the NSAA. DSU dropped to 3-9 overall and 0-2 in league play.
King, who was 3-of-5 from 3-point range, added eight rebounds and two steals. Lewis Hayes recorded his second double-double of the season, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Eric Pierce was the third Bruin in double figures, scoring 13 points while grabbing nine boards.
Bryce Knox led the Blue Hawks with 21 points and three rebounds. John Evans added 16 points, five rebounds, three assists, and a pair of blocks.
The Bruins erased an early five-point deficit, going on an 8-2 run to take a 15-14 lead following a 3-pointer by Pierce. After the media timeout, the Blue Hawks scored six-straight points to take a 20-15 lead at the eight-minute mark.
A 12-point BU scoring run capped by a 3-pointer from King gave the Bruins a 30-23 lead with 3:28 remaining before halftime and the Bruins maintained a seven-point advantage at 34-27 heading into the break.
Hayes led the Bruins in the opening half with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting while adding seven rebounds. King added eight points and three rebounds.
Knox (9) and Evans (8) combined for 17 points to pace the DSU offense in the opening half.
The Bruins expanded the lead to 11 points following a 3-pointer by King to push the advantage to 45-34 with 14:15 remaining in the contest.
A five-point Blue Hawk run drew DSU to within six points at 47-41 at the nine-minute mark. A Knox layup made it a five-point contest (54-49) with 4:40 left.
DSU went scoreless over the next four minutes until an off-balance 3-pointer by Trey Hladky made it a six-point contest (58-52) with 24 seconds remaining.
King and Pierce both drained a pair of free throws in the final 20 seconds to seal the 62-55 victory.
The Bruins return to action tomorrow night (Jan. 9) when they host Valley City State University beginning at 5 p.m. in the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.
