November 12, 2024

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Star Athletic Association announced their second edition (Nov. 4 through Nov. 10) of the 2024-25 Men's Basketball Players-of-the-Week Monday.  Valley City State (N.D.) swept the weekly honors as Lamar Grayson was selected as the Offensive Player-of-the-Week, while his teammate Tyrel Creger was chosen as the Defensive Player-of-the-Week.

North Star Athletic Association Men's Basketball Player-of-the-Week – Offense
Lamar Grayson – Valley City State (N.D.) – 6'0" – Senior – guard – Richfield, Minn. – Grayson helped Valley City State (N.D.) to a 2-0 record on the week, producing their best start in more than 20 seasons at 5-0 overall record.  He scored 16 points in a pair of games in 72-66 home victory over NCAA Division III Minnesota-Morris (6-of-9 field goals and 4-of-5 free-throws).  He followed with another 16 points in VCSU's 78-76 road victory at Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) (6-of-10 field goals and 4-of-5 free-throws).  For the week. Grayson averaged 16.0 points per game, shot 63.2 percent from the field (12-of-19 field goals) and converted 8-of-10 free-throws.

North Star Athletic Association Men's Basketball Player-of-the-Week – Defense
Tyrel Creger – Valley City State (N.D.) – 6'0" – Junior – guard – Owatonna, Minn. – Creger fueled Valley City State (N.D.) to a 2-0 week, posting their best start at 5-0 record for the first time in more than 20 seasons.  He totaled seven defensive rebounds (3.5 rebounds per game) and recorded a steal in both VCSU's games (72-66 victory over Minnesota-Morris and 78-76 victory at Dakota Wesleyan, S.D.).  Creger also had a block for the week. 

Recap from last week's games
Valley City State (N.D.) remained undefeated this season after going 2-0 record for the week.  The Vikings defeated NCAA Division III Minnesota-Morris 72-66 on Nov. 6 and held on to defeat Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) 78-76 on Nov. 9.  Valley City State is 5-0 overall record on the season.

Bellevue (Neb.) earned an 86-45 home victory over Union (Neb.) in their lone contest of the week.  The Bruins lifted their overall record to 2-1.

Dakota State (S.D.) fell to Dakota Wesleyan by the score of 76-48 on Nov. 6.  DaSU is 4-2 overall record.

Dickinson State (N.D.) dropped a pair of games in the Taco Bell Shootout in Cadwell, Idaho.  The Blue Hawks fell short to No. 25 ranked Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) 81-79 on Nov. 8 and dropped a 90-61 contest to No. 2 ranked College of Idaho.  Dickinson State is 1-3 overall record.

Mayville State (N.D.) dropped a pair of games in the Northwestern (Iowa) Classic against Great Plains Athletic Conference foes.  The Comets lost to (RV) Dordt (Iowa) 95-85 on Nov. 8, followed by a 120-78 setback to host-team No. 15 ranked Northwestern.  Mayville State is 2-3 overall record prior to the contest at Briar Cliff (Iowa) on Nov. 11.

Jamestown (N.D.) split a pair of games in the Montana Tech Classic, defeating Montana Western 76-57 on Nov. 8.  The Jimmies fell to No. 9 ranked Montana Tech 84-67 on Nov. 9.  Jamestown is 1-2 overall record.

Looking Ahead This Week
Dickinson State (N.D.) plays an exhibition game against NCAA Division I North Dakota in Bismarck, N.D., on Tuesday evening.

Valley City State (N.D.) is on the road as they play an exhibition game at NCAA Division II Bemidji State (Minn.) on Wednesday.  Dakota State (S.D.) faces (RV) Dordt (Iowa) at Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls, S.D., on the same day.

Dakota State travels to NCAA Division II Nebraska-Kearney for an exhibition on Thursday evening.  Jamestown (N.D.) visits NCAA Division II Mary (N.D.) on the same night.
Bellevue (Neb.) and Valley City State play in the two-day Viterbo (Wis.) tournament.  Both teams will play St. Francis (Ill.) and host-team Viterbo.

Mayville State (N.D.) returns home Friday and Saturday as they host Canadian Mennonite. 

Jamestown travels to Sioux Falls (S.D.) on Saturday.

            Tuesday's Game
            Dickinson State (N.D.) vs. North Dakota – 5 p.m. EXHIBITION GAME in Bismarck, N.D.

            Wednesday's Games
            Valley City State (N.D.) @ Bemidji State (Minn.) – 5:30 p.m. EXHIBITION GAME
            (RV) Dordt (Iowa) vs. Dakota State (S.D.) – 7:30 p.m. @ Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls, S.D.

            Thursday's Games
            Dakota State (S.D.) @ Nebraska-Kearney – 6 p.m. EXHIBITION GAME
            Jamestown (N.D.) @ Mary (N.D.) – 8 p.m.

            Friday's Games
            Viterbo (Wis.) Tournament – La Crosse, Wis.
                        Bellevue (Neb.) vs. St. Francis (Ill.) – 5 p.m.
                        Valley City State (N.D.) @ Viterbo (Wis.) – 7 p.m.
            Canadian Mennonite @ Mayville State (N.D.) – 7 p.m.

            Saturday's Games
            Viterbo (Wis.) Tournament – La Crosse, Wis.
                        Valley City State (N.D.) vs. St. Francis (Ill.) – 1 p.m.
                        Bellevue (Neb.) @ Viterbo (Wis.) – 3 p.m.
            Canadian Mennonite @ Mayville State (N.D.) – 1 p.m.
            Jamestown (N.D.) @ Sioux Falls (S.D.) – 3 p.m.

NSAA Men's Basketball Conference Standings (prior to Nov. 11 game)
 

School	Overall Record	NSAA Record	Games Behind	Streak
Valley City State (N.D.)	5-0	0-0	----	Won 5
Dakota State (S.D.)	4-2	0-0	----	Lost 1
Bellevue (Neb.)	2-1	0-0	----	Won 1
Mayville State (N.D.)	2-3	0-0	----	Lost 2
Jamestown (N.D.)	1-2	0-0	----	Lost 1
Dickinson State (N.D.)	1-3	0-0	----	Lost 2