DILLON, Mont. – Dickinson State got another big game from Kayden Steele, including 17 first quarter points, but for the second year in a row a late shot ended in a one-point Montana Tech victory.
The Blue Hawks raced out to an 11-2 run thanks to three pointers by Teagan Townsend and Steele, but Montana Tech did not go away, cutting the lead to just three points by the end of the quarter. Steele scored 17 of her game high 25 points in the first quarter, shooting 6-8 overall and 3-5 from deep. Threes by Townsend and Tinley Pierson were the only other made baskets by DSU in the quarter.
After a first quarter where the teams scored a combined 45 points, the second quarter was the complete opposite, as DSU shot just 2-12 (both makes again from Steele) from the field and scored only five points. Montana Tech didn't take full advantage, however, as they struggled from the field as well and only held a 33-29 lead at the halftime break.
The Blue Hawks got their offense back on track in the third quarter, erasing the deficit and taking a one-point lead into the final ten minutes after Hannah LaBree connected from deep with 25 seconds left in the frame.
In the fourth quarter, the teams traded scores down the stretch and a layup by Steele gave the Blue Hawks the lead with 47 seconds to go. After a big defensive stop, Samantha Oase was fouled but made only one of two free throws making it 64-62 DSU with ten seconds to go. On the next MTU possession, the Orediggers had their prayers answered when a step-back fading three-pointer banked in from the wing for a one-point lead with four seconds to go.
Dickinson State got a good look on the other side after Steele beat her defender on a drive, but a lot of contact in the lane went uncalled and the shot came up empty.
"I thought we played really hard defensively, and we gave ourselves a chance to win the game," said head coach Eric Nelson. "We had a couple turnovers in the 4th quarter that hurt us. Anytime you lose on a shot in the last seconds its tough, but we have to bounce back for a quick turnaround tomorrow."
