Dillon, Mont. — Dickinson State struggled to keep up against Montana Western, falling 76-50 on Friday night. With the loss the Blue Hawks fall to 3-3 on the season.

The game opened with both teams trading scores, but Dickinson State scored only one made basket in each of the first two quarters to dig themselves into a deep hole.

Montana Western gained control in the second quarter, outscoring Dickinson State 24-12 to take a 39-18 lead into halftime.

Samantha Oase led the Blue Hawks offensively with 20 points, shooting 7-of-12 from the field and adding five rebounds. Anhelica Shanrock contributed with 11 points and seven rebounds, while Katherine Fox added four points, four rebounds, and two assists. Despite shooting just 33.3% from the field, Dickinson State showed resilience, particularly in the third quarter, where they improved to 46.7% shooting and scored 20 points to narrow the deficit briefly.

Turnovers were a significant challenge for the Blue Hawks, as they committed 30, leading to 33 points for Montana Western. In contrast, Montana Western took advantage of their opportunities, shooting 43.5% from the field and 25% from three-point range. Montana Western's bench made a notable impact, contributing 31 points compared to Dickinson State's six.

Dickinson State shot 32 free throws in the game, but connected on just 21 as the shooting woes in Montana continued.

Montana Western's Kyla Momberg and Kenzi Pedersen led their team with consistent scoring, combining for 20 points.