BELLEVUE, Neb. — Dickinson State earned its first win of the season Friday afternoon, holding off Midland University 60-56 as part of the Fairfield Inn & Suites Downtown Classic hosted by Bellevue University.
The Blue Hawks (1-2) used a dominant second quarter to build a 14-point halftime lead and withstood a second-half push from the Warriors (0-3) to secure the victory. Brae Eneboe led Dickinson State with 16 points and eight rebounds, while J'Ell Garfield added 12 points, four boards and three assists before fouling out late in the game.
Tied 16-16 after the first quarter, Dickinson State outscored Midland 20-6 in the second. Garfield sparked the run with a pair of threes and a free throw during a 13-2 stretch that put the Blue Hawks in control. DSU led 36-22 at halftime.
"I thought we played really well in the second quarter to get a lead," head coach Eric Nelson said. "We need to clean up our turnovers tomorrow, but it was a good team win. We need to put a full 40 minutes together and continue to improve."
Midland responded with an 18-8 third quarter, taking advantage of DSU turnovers and narrowing the deficit to 44-40. The Warriors forced six turnovers in the period and capitalized with timely baskets from Jenna Weber and Tyra Berry.
Dickinson State maintained its composure in the fourth quarter, getting key contributions from Eneboe and Kyrie Alldredge. Alldredge hit a corner three with under six minutes to play to give DSU a two-possession cushion, and Eneboe added four points in the paint in the final frame.
Midland closed the gap to two points with 14 seconds left after Ellie Bovaird connected on a three from the wing. On the ensuing possession, Allie Kohn was fouled and converted both free throws to extend the lead to 60-56 with seven seconds remaining. Midland's final shot from beyond the arc missed, and Dickinson State secured the defensive rebound to seal the win.
The Blue Hawks shot 41.8 percent (23-for-55) from the field and 83.3 percent (10-for-12) at the free throw line, while holding a 44-32 edge on the boards. DSU outscored Midland 32-26 in the paint and had 20 points off the bench.
In addition to Eneboe and Garfield, Alldredge finished with nine points and four rebounds. Kohn added seven points and three assists, and Jada Clarkson contributed six points and a team-high four assists.
