DICKINSON, N.D. – J'ell Garfield scored a team-high 18 points and Dickinson State used a strong first quarter and timely defense down the stretch to secure a 63-60 victory over Montana Western on Friday evening in Frontier Conference play at Scott Gymnasium.
The Blue Hawks (4-8, 2-6 Frontier) opened the game on a 20-12 run and never trailed, despite a late push from the Bulldogs (6-6, 4-4) in the final minutes. Dickinson State hit 11 three-pointers and forced 21 turnovers in the win.
Garfield shot 7-of-8 from the floor and added four rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 25 minutes. Kyrie Alldredge provided a major spark off the bench with 14 points, including 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Dylan Stedillie and Karson Tempel each added five points in reserve roles, helping DSU's bench outscore Montana Western's 30-16.
"It was a great team win and a much needed win on our home floor," head coach Eric Nelson said. "We turned the ball over too many times and gave up a lot of offensive rebounds which we need to clean up but we made some timely shots and held on for the win. Every game in this conference is going to be a battle so it was nice to win a close one."
Dickinson State led 20-15 after the first quarter, with five made threes in the opening frame. Garfield and Alldredge combined for 13 of the Blue Hawks' 20 first-quarter points.
Montana Western trimmed the lead to two by halftime, 29-27, behind the play of Isabella Lund and Gio Horner, who finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively. The Bulldogs briefly tied the game at 29-29 in the third quarter, but a 6-0 spurt from DSU, capped by a Lund layup and a Horner basket, restored the Blue Hawks' lead for good.
Dickinson State led by as many as 13 midway through the fourth quarter after Garfield drilled her third triple of the night to make it 51-38. Montana Western answered with a 10-2 run to cut the deficit to five, but DSU maintained its composure at the line. The Blue Hawks hit 12-of-17 free throws overall and held on despite a late three by Horner with 10 seconds left.
Isabella Lund added 11 points and six rebounds, and Kaylin Garza grabbed five boards with five points for the Blue Hawks, who shot 39.2% from the field and 45.8% from three-point range. DSU assisted on 16 of its 20 made field goals.
Montana Western held a 47-37 rebounding advantage and outscored DSU 32-14 in the paint but struggled from the free throw line, finishing just 7-of-17. The Bulldogs committed nine turnovers in the fourth quarter alone.
