DICKINSON, N.D. — Dickinson State couldn't hold off a second-half surge from MSU-Northern, falling 66-61 in a Frontier Conference matchup Friday night at Scott Gymnasium.

The Blue Hawks led by as many as 11 in the first half and held a 38-31 edge at halftime but were outscored 35-23 over the final 20 minutes. The loss drops DSU to 6-15 overall and 4-11 in conference play, while the Lights improve to 13-8 (8-7 Frontier).

Cordell Stinson and Nate Visentin each scored 15 points to lead Dickinson State. Visentin shot 7-of-10 from the field and added six rebounds, while Stinson matched him in scoring and recorded four boards, a block and a steal.

The Blue Hawks shot 44.8 percent from the field and went 4-for-13 from three-point range. However, free throws proved costly, as DSU hit just 5-of-10 from the line. Dickinson State also committed 11 turnovers, several of which came during a decisive late-game stretch that saw MSU-Northern erase a five-point deficit in the final five minutes.

Griffyn Doughty hit two key threes and scored 10 points for DSU, while Britton Cranston added eight points off the bench on 3-of-6 shooting. Detavius Frierson and Quincy Linton chipped in four points apiece, and Weston Zacher contributed four rebounds and two points in 13 minutes.

After leading 56-46 with just under seven minutes remaining, the Blue Hawks saw the Lights close the game on a 20-5 run. MSU-Northern's Leon Sayers IV scored 19 points, including the go-ahead basket with 21 seconds left and two free throws to seal the game at the buzzer.

DSU allowed 15 points off turnovers and gave up 15 offensive rebounds, leading to eight second-chance points for the visitors. The Blue Hawks held a 36-38 edge in points in the paint, but MSU-Northern's ability to convert critical possessions in the closing minutes proved to be the difference.