MINOT - Samantha Oase scored a team-high 16 points, going 6-10 from the field, but a hot start from NCAA Division II Minot State doomed the Blue Hawks as they fell, 91-60, in exhibition action on Tuesday night.

The Beavers jumped out to a quick 7-1 lead, but a layup by Heather LaBree and back-to-back jumpers by Lindsay Peterson knotted the score at 7-7 four minutes into the contest. Minot State responded with a 15-4 run to end the quarter up 22-11. Dickinson State was outrebounded 11-3 in the quarter and were forced into seven turnovers, including six MSU steals.

Peterson got DSU going in the second quarter, scoring a quick three points on a traditional three point play, and another LaBree layup got the Blue Hawks to within 13 at 29-16, but from there the hosts took over. A LaBree three-pointer was the only made basket for the Blue Hawks in the last 5:30 of the half and the Minot State lead ballooned to 52-22 at the break.

 After halftime, Dickinson State was able to cut into the deficit in the third quarter, outscoring the Beavers, 19-15. Jenna Jacobson knocked down two free throws and McKenzie Johnson connected from deep to make it 53-27 MSU with 8:17 left in the quarter. After an Oase layup, Tayte Kohn scored her lone points of the contest from deep and Tinley Pierson added four points to make it 58-36 MSU. 

The fourth quarter saw more back-and-forth action with both teams combining for only seven missed shots in the final 10 minutes. Oase scored 10 of her 16 points in the fourth quarter, and Kayden Steele scored all four of hers to pace DSU.

Heather LaBree finished with 12 points on 5-6 shooting, while Peterson finished with seven. Johnson pulled down a team-high four rebounds on the night and also chipped in five points. Pierson led the DSU bench with six points on 3-4 shooting in an efficient eight minutes.

WHATS NEXT

The Blue Hawks (4-6) will head to Valley City to take on Valley City State for their annual early North Star Athletic Association early conference opener on Saturday, December 3.