Dickinson, N.D. – Dickinson State erased a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to force overtime, but Bellevue controlled the extra period to win the North Star Athletic Association game, 66-57.
Samantha Oase had a huge second half to finish with a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double and Kayden Steele scored 12 points and collected 7 boards, but the Blue Hawks were held to just 2 points in overtime in the tough home loss.
DSU controlled the pace early, shooting over a Bellevue zone defense as they forged a 15-13 lead after the first quarter. However, Bellevue turned up the pace in the second quarter and forced Dickinson State out of rhythm as the Bruins outscored DSU 21-10 in the second frame to take a nine-point halftime lead after connecting for three three-pointers on their final three possessions.
Bellevue again extended their lead in the third quarter, giving them an 11-point lead heading into the final frame. BU scored the first basket of the fourth quarter to stretch the lead to 13, but the Dickinson State rally started with a 6-0 run buoyed by 4 points from Katherine Fox and a pair of free throws by Tinley Pierson.
Bellevue responded with a quick 4-0 run of their own to get back up by double-digits, but a big three by Teagan Townsend made it an 8-point game with 4:11 remaining. The Blue Hawks then started to apply full court pressure and forced the Bruins to make a string of mistakes. Three straight BU turnovers led to three points from Fox, and after a missed shot by the Bruins, Oase made it a one possession game, 54-51, with 1:52 to play.
A missed shot on the next BU possession was grabbed by Heather LaBree who was fouled on the play and calmly sank two free throws to make it a one-point game.
DSU failed to score after getting a stop and fouled with 28 seconds remaining to send Bellevue to the line. Delaney VanBlaricon hit just one of her two shots from the line giving the Blue Hawks a chance to either tie or win with 28 seconds left in the game.
A crazy possession followed as the Blue Hawks used great ball movement, and a little luck, to tie the game at 55-55 on a basket by Steele on a sweet pass from Fox. Bellevue missed a shot to win it from the lane at the buzzer.
Unfortunately for DSU the run ended there as Bellevue locked down on defense in the extra frame to earn the road win.
