January 6, 2025
BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Star Athletic Association announced their tenth edition of the 2024-25 Men’s Basketball Players-of-the-Week Monday. Jamestown (N.D.) swept the weekly honors as Silas Bennion was named as the Offense Player-of-the-Week, while his teammate Jimmy Llinas was selected as the Defense Player-of-the-Week.
North Star Athletic Association Men's Basketball Player-of-the-Week – Offense
Silas Bennion – Jamestown (N.D.) – 6’1" – Senior – guard – Eugene, Ore. – Bennion averaged 20.5 points and 8.0 assists per game as Jamestown (N.D.) kicked off the 2025 year with a 2-0 record. He scored 22 points on his 9-of-12 field goals and 2-of-2 free throws in Jimmies’ 85-81 road victory at Valley City State (N.D.). Bennion contributed seven assists in the game. He followed up with 19 points on his 8-of-15 field goals and 2-of-2 free throws with nine assists in Jamestown’s 87-72 victory at Mayville State. For the week, Bennion shot 63 percent from the field (17-of-27 field goals), hit 3-of-6 3-pointers, and made all four free throws. He totaled 41 points and 16 assists for the week.
North Star Athletic Association Men's Basketball Player-of-the-Week – Defense
Jimmy Llinas – Jamestown (N.D.) – 6’8" – Senior – forward – Port Saint Lucie, Fla. – Llinas averaged 6.5 defensive rebounds, 2.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game as Jamestown (N.D.) went 2-0 record on the road to start the 2025 calendar year. He pulled down nine rebounds (6 defense), registered two blocks and stole the ball in UJ’s 85-81 victory at Valley City State (N.D.). He added eight rebounds (7 defense), tallied three blocks, and recorded two steals in Jimmies’ 87-72 win at Mayville State (N.D.). For the week, Llinas totaled 13 defensive rebounds, five blocks, and three steals.
Recap from last week’s games
Dickinson State (N.D.) remained undefeated in the North Star Athletic Association action after going 2-0 record on the road. The Blue Hawks defeated Mayville State (N.D.) 89-85 in double overtime on defeated Valley City State (N.D.) 72-51 on Jan. 4. DiSU improved their overall record to 8-7 and 3-0 NSAA conference record.
MSU, who closed the Bellevue (Neb.) tournament with a 99-76 victory over Haskell (Kan.) on Dec. 30, fell to Jamestown (N.D.) by the score of 87-72 on Jan. 4. Mayville State is 11-6 overall record and 2-2 NSAA conference record.
The Jimmies kicked off the New Year by going 2-0 record on the road in the North Star conference, earning an 85-81 victory at Valley City State on Jan. 3. UJ is 7-9 overall record and 2-1 record in the league, while VCSU is 10-6 overall record and 1-3 record in the North Star.
Bellevue, who fell short to No. 14 ranked Morningside (Iowa) 76-72 on Dec. 30 in their home tournament, defeated Dakota State (S.D.) 64-47 in the North Star Athletic Association action on Jan. 4. BU is 10-6 overall record and 2-1 NSAA conference record. DaSU holds an overall record of 7-9 and 0-3 record in the league.
Looking Ahead This Week
The North Star Athletic Association men’s basketball wraps up the first round of round robin conference play this weekend. Mayville State (N.D.) travels to Valley City State (N.D.), while Bellevue (Neb.) visits Jamestown (N.D.), and Dickinson State (N.D.) hosts Dakota State (S.D.) on Friday evening.
Bellevue and Dakota State switch places on Saturday, with BU visiting DiSU and UJ hosting DaSU.
Friday’s Games
Mayville State (N.D.) @ Valley City State (N.D.) – 7:30 p.m.
Bellevue (Neb.) @ Jamestown (N.D.) – 7:30 p.m.
Dakota State (S.D.) @ Dickinson State (N.D.) – 8:30 p.m. (Central Time)/7:30 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Saturday’s Games
Dakota State (S.D.) @ Jamestown (N.D.) – 5 p.m.
Bellevue (Neb.) @ Dickinson State (N.D.) – 6 p.m. (Central Time)/5 p.m. (Mountain Time)
NSAA Men’s Basketball Conference Standings
| School |
Overall
Record |
NSAA
Record |
Games
Behind |
Streak |
| Dickinson State (N.D.) |
8-7 |
3-0 |
---- |
Won 2 |
| Bellevue (Neb.) |
10-6 |
2-1 |
1.0 |
Won 1 |
| Jamestown (N.D.) |
7-9 |
2-1 |
1.0 |
Won 2 |
| Mayville State (N.D.) |
11-6 |
2-2 |
1.5 |
Lost 2 |
| Valley City State (N.D.) |
10-6 |
1-3 |
2.5 |
Lost 2 |
| Dakota State (S.D.) |
7-8 |
0-3 |
3.0 |
Lost 4 |