JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Dickinson State used a balanced scoring effort and a strong second quarter to earn a 72-61 Frontier Conference win over Valley City State on Saturday evening at the Jamestown Civic Center.

The Blue Hawks (6-11, 4-9 Frontier) led from start to finish and outscored the Vikings 23-17 in the second period to take a 36-28 halftime lead. Dickinson State maintained a consistent offensive rhythm in the second half, scoring 18 points in each of the final two quarters to secure the win.

Kaylin Garza led DSU with 13 points on 4-of-10 shooting, including 2-of-6 from three-point range, and added five rebounds and four assists. Anhelica Shanrock followed with 12 points and three rebounds. Kyrie Alldredge came off the bench to contribute nine points and a team-high six rebounds, hitting all five of her free throw attempts.

In total, 10 Blue Hawks scored in the game. Brae Eneboe and Jada Clarkson added eight and six points respectively, while Allie Kohn chipped in seven points and three rebounds. Dickinson State's bench provided 26 points, highlighted by contributions from Alldredge, Clarkson, and Dylan Stedillie, who hit a three-pointer in the third quarter.

Dickinson State shot 42.9% from the field and 94.4% from the free throw line (17-of-18). The Blue Hawks also held a 40-37 advantage on the boards and scored 11 points off 12 VCSU turnovers.

Defensively, DSU held the Vikings (5-11, 2-10) to 31.3% shooting and just 4-of-24 from behind the arc (16.7%). Olivia Backus led VCSU with 16 points off the bench, while Ellie Braaten added 14.

"Great team win for us," said head coach Eric Nelson. "I thought we defended pretty well and had balanced scoring on the offensive end. We still need to clean up our turnovers and do a better job on the glass. It was a good weekend for us as winning conference games on the road is never easy."

The Blue Hawks opened the game on a 7-0 run and never trailed. They led 13-11 after the first quarter and extended the margin in the second. A late 3-pointer by Shanrock in the fourth helped put the game out of reach, and Dickinson State sealed the win at the line.

DSU committed 18 turnovers but offset it with efficient shooting, rebounding, and defensive pressure. The team also collected six steals and recorded 11 second-chance points.