Valley City, N.D. – Dickinson State got 16 points from Samantha Oase, and outshot #22 Mayville State 44 percent to 32 percent, but a huge difference in points from the free throw line proved the difference as DSU fell, 62-56 to the Comets in an exciting back-and-forth affair.
The Blue Hawks and Comets battled in a non-conference game at the Dakota Clash, hosted by Valley City State, and DSU came out of the gates firing. Dickinson State never trailed in the first quarter, as they led 13-10 after the first ten minutes.
An Oase basket early in the second quarter made it 15-12 DSU, but Mayville State scored the next seven points to take their first lead of the game. A pair of free throws from Hannah LaBree and a basket by Whitney Edwards knotted the game at 19-19, and Kayden Steele connected from deep with 3 minutes to go in the half to put DSU back in front, 24-23. Kyrie Alldredge scored the next eight Blue Hawk points heading into the break as DSU led the #22 Comets 32-27 at the half.
Mayville State proved why they are one of the top teams in the country in the third quarter, using smothering defense to outscore the Blue Hawks 19-11 in the quarter and take a slim 46-43 lead into the final frame.
The MSU lead stayed under five points for the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter as they withstood a couple of DSU runs with well timed baskets, but with three minutes remaining, Katherine Fox connected on a three from the top of the key to put Dickinson State in front, 55-53. A pair of missed free throws by DSU proved costly, as they squandered a chance to extend their lead and Mayville State responded with a 9-1 run to finish the game.
Alldredge was the only other Blue Hawk in double figures as she finished with 12 points off the bench and Fox chipped in 8 points and six rebounds. Steele had 8 points and a game-high 8 rebounds as the Blue Hawks dominated the boards 41-27.
Dickinson State will take on their second straight conference opponent in a non-conference game when they take on host Valley City State Saturday at 4pm MT.