DILLON - John Evans put up his best numbers of the season, scoring 20 points on 9-11 shooting, but Dickinson State (1-4) fell in a heartbreaker, 61-60, to Montana Western (3-2) on Friday night.

The Blue Hawks had a chance to take the lead, gaining possession with just six second remaining, but a Gus Wright hook shot in the lane struck back iron and the rebound fell harmlessly into the hands of the Bulldog defenders effectively ending the game. The game was tight the entire way, with neither team holding a lead larger than the 8-0 lead DSU took to open the game. After the Blue Hawks raced out to the early lead, MWU raced back to tie it at 18 with 7:06 left in the half. After an Evans layup gave DSU the lead again, the Bulldogs took their first lead of the game on a three pointer on the next possession. The teams traded buckets the rest of the half sending the teams to the break with Western leading 33-31.

The second half was more of the same, with neither team able to stretch a lead. Montana Western took their largest lead of the game at 46-39 at the 11:10 mark of the half, but back-to-back baskets by Evans, and a DC Stewart three, brought DSU back to within two just over two game-minutes later. Trey Hladky gave the Blue Hawks their last lead of the game on a driving layup with 3:07 left in the game, but the Bulldogs regained the lead on their next possession and never gave it up.

For the game, Dickinson State shot 48 percent (22-46) from the field, including 47 percent (8-17) from deep, and won the rebounding battle 28-23. Hladky added 11 points and four rebounds for the Blue Hawks, while Kose Egbule added nine points, four rebounds, and three assists. Gus Wright chipped in eight points on 60 percent shooting.

WHATS NEXT

The Blue Hawks will stay in Dillon to take on Montana Tech in their final contest at the Montana Western Classic. Tipoff will be at 3 pm MT.