DICKINSON - Lindsay Peterson scored 18 points, and Dickinson State led for three quarters, but a fourth quarter explosion pushed Viterbo University past the Blue Hawks in North Star Athletic Association play on Saturday afternoon.

Samantha Oase gave the Blue Hawks an early lead at 4-2 three minutes into the game, but the teams traded baskets for much of the quarter before the V-Hawks took a late two-point lead, 18-16, and carried it into the end of the quarter. Turnovers haunted the Blue Hawks all night, as a swarming Viterbo press caused 29 DSU turnovers and created 31 V-Hawk points. Dickinson State caused 21 VU giveaways but were only able to convert those into 11 points.

The Dickinson State defense tightened up in the second quarter, holding Viterbo to just six points, and used eight points from Peterson, to take a 30-24 lead into the break. Oase gave the Blue Hawks a seven-point lead under a minute into the second half, but the V-Hawks used a 10-0 run to take their first lead since the first quarter, 37-34, just a minute and a half later. Peterson connected for one of just three DSU three-pointers on the night to knot the score at 37-37. Danielle Wallace had a big four-point run of her own late in the quarter as DSU entered the final ten minutes up 50-48.

Unfortunately, the fourth quarter was all Viterbo, as they outscored the Blue Hawks 26-11 to take the victory, 74-61. For the game, DSU shot 25-64 (39%), but went just 3-16 (18%) from deep and 8-15 (53%) from the free throw line.

WHATS NEXT

The Blue Hawks will head back on the road next weekend as they head to Mayville State and Presentation to wrap up the first half of NSAA play.