Sagan Osborne | Dickinson State Sports Information Director
DICKINSON – Lindsay Peterson poured in a season-high 24 points on 7-9 shooting to lead Dickinson State to a blowout victory, 69-43, over Presentation College on Friday evening.
Although the score looked nearly identical to the 68-47 win over PC in their last time out, the game went much differently. After struggling to control the game in the first half last week, the Blue Hawks came out firing on all cylinders on Friday. A new look press helped DSU race out to a 15-3 lead in the first five minutes of the game, and they never looked back. Two Peterson free throws stretched the lead all the way out to 22-4 before a late PC basket made it 22-6 DSU heading into the second quarter.
The offense slowed down for the Blue Hawks in the second quarter, but the defense remained dominant. For the second straight quarter DSU allowed less than 10 points to take a commanding 35-15 lead into the halftime break.
"I was really pleased with our energy to start the game," said head coach Eric Nelson. "We moved the ball well on offense and locked in defensively."
The game opened up a little more in the second half, but Dickinson State continued to control the game and the tempo, winning each of the four quarters. For the first time this season, the Blue Hawks employed a pressure defense off made baskets. The pressure created 19 Saint turnovers, and more importantly, turned those turnovers into 21 points, a much better conversion rate than early in the season.
Samantha Oase had another strong game for the Blue Hawks, scoring 8 points, pulling down 7 rebounds, and dishing out 3 assists. Lauren Gangl added a career-high 8 points on 3-3 shooting in four efficient minutes late.
"It was a great team win," added Nelson. "We got everyone in the game, but (Saturday) a really good Mayville State team, who's at the top of our conference, comes to our gym so we will have to be ready to play 40 minutes of good basketball."
WHATS NEXT
The Blue Hawks will take on league-leading Mayville State on Saturday, January 28 at 3:00 pm MT in Scott Gym.
