DICKINSON, N.D. – Dickinson State built a first-half lead but couldn't hold off a strong finish from Dakota State, falling 78-74 in a Frontier Conference game Saturday night at Scott Gymnasium.

The Blue Hawks (5-12, 3-8 Frontier) led by as many as six points in the opening half and were up 29-23 with under three minutes to play before halftime. Dakota State (13-3, 8-3) responded with a 9-0 run to close the half and took a 32-29 lead into the break, a lead it would not relinquish.

Griffyn Doughty led Dickinson State with 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting. Detavius Frierson added 11 points and five rebounds. Nate Visentin contributed 10 points and five boards, while Cordell Stinson finished with nine points, six rebounds, and two assists in a team-high 32 minutes.

Jake Daniel scored eight points, all from the free throw line, going 8-of-9 and adding three assists. DC Stewart added eight points off the bench, and Isaiah Vargas chipped in seven points and four rebounds.

The Blue Hawks shot 43.9 percent (25-of-57) from the field and held a slight rebounding edge, 34-31. Dickinson State outscored Dakota State 32-22 in the paint but struggled from the perimeter, hitting just 4-of-21 (19.0 percent) from three-point range.

Dakota State was led by Nathan Ojukwu, who scored a game-high 37 points and collected 11 rebounds. The Trojans shot 45.8 percent overall and 47.4 percent from three (9-of-19), while converting 25-of-30 from the free throw line (83.3 percent).

Both teams committed 14 turnovers and scored 11 points off those miscues.

Trailing 76-69 with under a minute to play, Dickinson State made a final push. A three-pointer from Stinson and free throws from Frierson and Daniel brought the Blue Hawks within four, 78-74, with eight seconds remaining. However, Dickinson State never had possession with a chance to tie, and the Trojans closed it out at the line.