DICKINSON, N.D. -- The Bellevue University men's basketball team found themselves down by 15 points 11 minutes into the game and were unable to climb out of that hole, falling 71-68 at Dickinson State University.
BU falls to 15-12 on the year and 7-6 in NSAA play. They will, unofficially, be the No. 5 seed in the NSAA Tournament and play a road game at either Dickinson State or Valley City on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
Dickinson State sees their overall record improve to 12-14 while upping their conference record to 8-5. The Blue Hawks secure a first round home game with the victory.
The Blue Hawks scored the first 13 points of the game while Bellevue did not record their first point until the 12:19 mark with their first field goal coming with 11:40 to play.
Trailing 18-3, Bellevue received a pair of free throws from Taylor Pomeroy with 8:57 to go as BU scored a 19-4 run to pull within five points, 27-22 with 1:53 remaining. However, Dickinson State scored the final seven points of the half to take a 34-22 lead into the break.
In the second half Bellevue made a few runs but Dickinson answered each as they kept the Bruins at arm's length for the majority of the half.
A pair of free throws from Paulo Araujo made it 67-63 with 2:15 to play as Bellevue reduced the deficit to its lowest since the opening moments.
Christian Murphy answered at the other end, muscling in a layup to put the Blue Hawks back up six. Bellevue had several chances to cut into the deficit again with couple missed three and open court turnover on DSU's next two possessions but were unable to capitalize.
Another missed Blue Hawk three saw Vinny Belcaster convert at the other end. He missed the and-one free throw but Keenami Maggard came up with a steal and drove the lane before being whistled for an offensive foul.
Dickinson hit a pair of free throws at the other end and Belcaster drained a deep three with 2.7 seconds to play to pull within three, 71-68. The final possession saw Dickinson State throw the ball long and retain possession on a deflection
Belcaster and Araujo led Bellevue with 18 points apiece with Maggard joining in double figures with 10. Justin Motley scored eight points and pulled down six boards.
Gus Wright paced four Blue Hawks in double figures with 16 points and grabbed four boards. John Evans scored 13, Murphy added 13, and Cordell Stinson tossed in eight with a game-high seven boards.
Bellevue travels to Madison, S.D. on Thursday, Feb. 16 to meet Dakota State in the regular-season finale with tip-off slated for 7:30 p.m.
